Penn State Nittany Lions
Big Ten
7-6 (3-6 conf)
SP+ #15AP #2
Ratings
2025
- SP+
- 18.1 (#15)
- SP+ Offense
- 35.1
- SP+ Defense
- 18.8
- SRS
- 14.4
- FPI
- 15.9
- Elo
- 1954
- Talent
- 910
- Recruiting
- 255 (#15)
Schedule
record 7–6
Schedule
28th
toughest of 136
Offenses faced
39th
toughest of 136
Defenses faced
22nd
toughest of 136
Strength of schedule — how tough this team's opponents are, ranked 1 (hardest) to 136 (easiest) · 1 FCS game.
| Wk | Opponent | SP+ | Score | Margin | Res |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | vsNevada | -13.4 | 46-11 | +35 | W |
| 2 | vsFlorida International | -10.5 | 34-0 | +34 | W |
| 3 | vsVillanova | FCS | 52-6 | +46 | W |
| 5 | vsOregon | +25.9 | 24-30 | -6 | L |
| 6 | @UCLA | -8.7 | 37-42 | -5 | L |
| 7 | vsNorthwestern | +5.8 | 21-22 | -1 | L |
| 8 | @Iowa | +19.7 | 24-25 | -1 | L |
| 10 | @Ohio State | +30.1 | 14-38 | -24 | L |
| 11 | vsIndiana | +32.4 | 24-27 | -3 | L |
| 12 | @Michigan State | -3.4 | 28-10 | +18 | W |
| 13 | vsNebraska | +6.2 | 37-10 | +27 | W |
| 14 | @Rutgers | +1 | 40-36 | +4 | W |
| 1 ·P | NClemson | +9.5 | 22-10 | +12 | W |
Quarterbacks · 5
2025 · 127
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 1st | Drew Allar | SR | 6'5" | 235 | ★★★★★ |
| QB | 2nd | Ethan Grunkemeyer | FR | 6'2" | 212 | ★★★★ |
| QB | 3rd | Jaxon Smolik | SO | 6'1" | 213 | ★★★ |
| QB | — | Bekkem Kritza | FR | 6'5" | 200 | — |
| QB | — | Jack Lambert | SO | 6'3" | 201 | — |
Running Backs · 9
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RB | 1st | Kaytron Allen | SR | 5'11" | 217 | ★★★★ |
| RB | 2nd | Nicholas Singleton | SR | 6'0" | 224 | ★★★★★ |
| RB | 3rd | Corey Smith | FR | 5'10" | 193 | ★★★★ |
| RB | 4th | Cam Wallace | SO | 5'9" | 208 | ★★★ |
| RB | 5th | Quinton Martin Jr. | FR | 6'1" | 206 | ★★★★ |
| RB | 6th | Tyler Holzworth | SR | 6'0" | 219 | — |
| RB | — | Jabree Coleman | FR | 6'0" | 209 | ★★★★ |
| RB | — | Tikey Hayes | FR | 5'11" | 204 | ★★★★ |
| RB | — | Amiel Davis | SR | 6'0" | 215 | — |
Wide Receivers · 17
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | 1st | Trebor Pena | SR | 5'10" | 186 | ★★★ |
| WR | 2nd | Devonte Ross | SR | 5'10" | 170 | — |
| WR | 3rd | Kyron Hudson | SR | 6'1" | 215 | — |
| WR | 4th | Koby Howard | FR | 5'11" | 202 | ★★★★ |
| WR | 5th | Liam Clifford | SR | 6'1" | 206 | — |
| WR | 6th | Tyseer Denmark | FR | 5'10" | 187 | ★★★ |
| WR | — | Matt Outten | FR | 6'1" | 212 | ★★★★ |
| WR | — | Kaden Saunders | JR | 5'10" | 180 | ★★★★ |
| WR | — | Anthony Ivey | JR | 5'11" | 194 | ★★★★ |
| WR | — | Josiah Brown | FR | 5'11" | 180 | ★★★★ |
| WR | — | Logan Cunningham | JR | 5'8" | 189 | — |
| WR | — | Jeff Exinor Jr. | FR | 6'1" | 221 | ★★★★ |
| WR | — | Donte Nastasi | SO | 5'10" | 163 | — |
| WR | — | Lyrick Samuel | FR | 6'4" | 181 | ★★★★ |
| WR | — | Ethan Black | SO | 5'9" | 180 | — |
| WR | — | Peter Gonzalez | FR | 6'2" | 205 | ★★★ |
| WR | — | Aaron Enterline | FR | 6'2" | 188 | — |
Tight Ends · 8
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TE | 1st | Luke Reynolds | SO | 6'4" | 250 | ★★★★ |
| TE | 2nd | Khalil Dinkins | SR | 6'4" | 251 | — |
| TE | 3rd | Andrew Rappleyea | SO | 6'4" | 251 | ★★★★ |
| TE | 4th | Joey Schlaffer | SO | 6'5" | 252 | ★★★★ |
| TE | — | Matt Henderson | FR | 6'5" | 230 | ★★★★ |
| TE | — | Brian Kortovich | FR | 6'4" | 243 | ★★★ |
| TE | — | Andrew Olesh | FR | 6'5" | 226 | ★★★★ |
| TE | — | Finn Furmanek | SO | 6'3" | 253 | — |
Offensive Line · 25
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OL | — | Cooper Cousins | SO | 6'6" | 311 | ★★★★ |
| OL | — | Michael Troutman III | FR | 6'2" | 293 | — |
| OL | — | Dominic Rulli | JR | 6'3" | 297 | — |
| OL | — | Nick Dawkins | SR | 6'4" | 295 | — |
| OL | — | TJ Shanahan Jr. | SO | 6'4" | 316 | ★★★★ |
| OL | — | Chimdy Onoh | SO | 6'5" | 314 | ★★★★ |
| OL | — | Donnie Harbour | FR | 6'3" | 337 | ★★★★ |
| OL | — | Ian Harvie | JR | 6'2" | 286 | — |
| OL | — | Brady O'Hara | FR | 6'6" | 295 | — |
| OL | — | Liam Horan | FR | 6'3" | 291 | — |
| OL | — | Alex Birchmeier | SO | 6'5" | 313 | ★★★★ |
| OL | — | Eagan Boyer | FR | 6'8" | 291 | — |
| OL | — | Jim Fitzgerald | JR | 6'7" | 301 | — |
| OL | — | Drew Shelton | SR | 6'5" | 305 | ★★★★ |
| OL | — | Henry Boehme | SO | 6'5" | 286 | — |
| OL | — | Anthony Donkoh | SO | 6'5" | 326 | ★★★★ |
| OL | — | Garrett Sexton | FR | 6'6" | 289 | ★★★★ |
| OL | — | Olaivavega Ioane | JR | 6'4" | 330 | — |
| OL | — | Nolan Rucci | SR | 6'8" | 307 | ★★★★★ |
| OL | — | Caleb Brewer | FR | 6'4" | 306 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | J'ven Williams | SO | 6'5" | 316 | — |
| OL | — | Matt Detisch | JR | 6'6" | 277 | — |
| OL | — | Mason Carlan | SR | 6'2" | 292 | — |
| OL | — | Owen Aliciene | FR | 6'7" | 284 | ★★★★ |
| OL | — | Malachi Goodman | FR | 6'6" | 321 | ★★★★ |
Defensive Line · 25
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE | 1st | Dani Dennis-Sutton | SR | 6'5" | 265 | ★★★★★ |
| DE | 2nd | Zuriah Fisher | SR | 6'3" | 258 | ★★★★ |
| DE | 3rd | Yvan Kemajou | FR | 6'3" | 250 | ★★★★ |
| DE | 4th | Chaz Coleman | FR | 6'4" | 240 | ★★★★ |
| DE | 5th | Jaylen Harvey | FR | 6'2" | 251 | ★★★★ |
| DE | 6th | Enai White | JR | 6'5" | 275 | — |
| DE | 7th | Mylachi Williams | FR | 6'3" | 252 | ★★★★ |
| DE | — | Max Granville | FR | 6'3" | 247 | ★★★★ |
| DE | — | Daniel Jennings | FR | 6'1" | 249 | ★★★★ |
| DE | — | Mason Robinson | SO | 6'3" | 250 | ★★★ |
| DE | — | Dayshaun Burnett | FR | 6'3" | 223 | ★★★★ |
| DE | — | Cortez Harris | FR | 6'3" | 224 | ★★★★ |
| DE | — | Aidan Probst | FR | 6'2" | 264 | — |
| DE | — | Bobby Mears | SO | 6'4" | 254 | — |
| DE | — | Jordan Mayer | SO | 6'4" | 228 | ★★★ |
| DT | 1st | Zane Durant | SR | 6'1" | 294 | ★★★★ |
| DT | 2nd | Xavier Gilliam | FR | 6'2" | 302 | — |
| DT | 3rd | Alonzo Ford Jr. | SR | 6'2" | 305 | — |
| DT | 4th | Ty Blanding | SO | 6'1" | 292 | ★★★ |
| DT | 5th | Owen Wafle | FR | 6'2" | 295 | ★★★★ |
| DT | — | Randy Adirika | FR | 6'3" | 306 | — |
| DT | — | Kaleb Artis | JR | 6'4" | 304 | — |
| DT | — | Sam Siafa | JR | 6'4" | 295 | — |
| DT | — | Liam Andrews | FR | 6'4" | 291 | ★★★★ |
| DT | — | De'Andre Cook | FR | 6'4" | 287 | — |
Linebackers · 11
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LB | 1st | Amare Campbell | JR | 6'0" | 231 | ★★★ |
| LB | 2nd | Dominic DeLuca | SR | 6'1" | 227 | — |
| LB | 3rd | Tony Rojas | JR | 6'2" | 230 | ★★★★ |
| LB | 4th | Keon Wylie | JR | 6'2" | 225 | ★★★ |
| LB | 5th | Alex Tatsch | FR | 6'2" | 231 | ★★★★ |
| LB | 6th | Anthony Speca | FR | 6'1" | 227 | ★★★★ |
| LB | 7th | DaKaari Nelson | SO | 6'3" | 234 | — |
| LB | — | LaVar Arrington II | FR | 6'3" | 219 | ★★★★ |
| LB | — | Cam Smith | FR | 6'0" | 215 | — |
| LB | — | Kari Jackson | FR | 6'1" | 237 | — |
| LB | — | Jackson Pryts | JR | 6'3" | 225 | — |
Defensive Backs · 20
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CB | 1st | Audavion Collins | JR | 5'11" | 180 | — |
| CB | 2nd | A.J. Harris | JR | 6'1" | 191 | ★★★★ |
| CB | 3rd | Zion Tracy | JR | 5'11" | 180 | ★★★★ |
| CB | 4th | Daryus Dixson | FR | 6'0" | 191 | ★★★★ |
| CB | 5th | Elliot Washington II | JR | 5'11" | 199 | ★★★★ |
| CB | 6th | Kenny Woseley Jr. | FR | 5'10" | 180 | — |
| CB | 7th | Jahmir Joseph | FR | 6'0" | 189 | ★★★★ |
| CB | — | Xxavier Thomas | FR | 5'11" | 183 | ★★★ |
| CB | — | Joshua Johnson | FR | 6'2" | 192 | — |
| CB | — | Tyler Armstead | FR | 6'1" | 170 | — |
| S | 1st | Zakee Wheatley | SR | 6'2" | 200 | ★★★★ |
| S | 2nd | King Mack | JR | 5'10" | 187 | ★★★★ |
| S | 3rd | Dejuan Lane | SO | 6'2" | 212 | ★★★★ |
| S | 4th | Antoine Belgrave-Shorter | FR | 6'0" | 200 | — |
| S | 5th | Kolin Dinkins | JR | 6'2" | 207 | — |
| S | 6th | Vaboue Toure | FR | 6'1" | 210 | ★★★★ |
| S | 7th | Karson Kiesewetter | SO | 5'10" | 194 | — |
| S | — | Braz Thomas | FR | 6'2" | 203 | — |
| S | — | Lamont Payne Jr. | SO | 6'0" | 190 | — |
| S | — | Jashaun Green | JR | 6'1" | 182 | — |
Special Teams · 7
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS | 1st | Tyler Duzansky | SR | 6'4" | 222 | — |
| LS | — | Blaise Sokach-Minnick | JR | 6'3" | 224 | — |
| LS | — | Andrew Dufault | FR | 6'1" | 237 | — |
| P | 1st | Gabriel Nwosu | SR | 6'6" | 292 | — |
| P | — | Riley Thompson | SR | 6'1" | 230 | — |
| PK | 1st | Ryan Barker | SO | 6'2" | 202 | — |
| PK | — | Matthew Parker | FR | 6'0" | 218 | — |
2025 · pct vs FBS
SP+ Off
35.188
Off PPA
+0.2379
Pass PPA
+0.2967
Rush PPA
+0.2185
Success
46%82
Explosive
1.2026
PlayerMedian (50th)percentile vs league
SP+ Trend
points vs avg team
— Overall— Offense— Defense
SP+ = opponent-adjusted points vs an average team. Overall & Offense higher = better; Defense lower = better.
Advanced
2025 · opponent-adjusted PPA / play
| Split | Offense | Defense |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | +0.23 | +0.10 |
| Passing | +0.29 | +0.16 |
| Rushing | +0.21 | +0.10 |
| 1st Down | +0.18 | -0.01 |
| 2nd Down | +0.09 | +0.06 |
| 3rd Down | +0.51 | +0.49 |
Scoring Trend
2025 · pts/game
PPG For
31.8
PPG Against
21.4
Differential
+10.3
— Points for— Points against
dots: W / LResults
2025
- Overall
- 6-6
- Home
- 4-3
- Away
- 2-3
- Conference
- 3-6
- Non-Conference
- 3-0
- One-Score (≤8)
- 1-5
- Avg Margin
- +10.3
Situational Splits
2025 · record · pts
| Split | Record | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | |||
| Home | 4-3 | 34.0 | 15.1 |
| Away | 2-3 | 28.6 | 30.2 |
| Neutral | 1-0 | 22.0 | 10.0 |
| Competition | |||
| vs Ranked (SP+ 25) | 0-4 | 21.5 | 30.0 |
| Conference | 3-6 | 27.7 | 26.7 |
| Non-conference | 4-0 | 38.5 | 6.8 |
Season History · last 12
5 AP top-10 · 11 postseason
| Season | Record | Conf | SP+ | AP | Post |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6-6 | 3-6 | #15 | #2 | 1-0 |
| 2024 | 11-2 | 8-2 | #5 | #3 | 2-1 |
| 2023 | 10-2 | 7-2 | #5 | #6 | 0-1 |
| 2022 | 10-2 | 7-2 | #8 | #7 | 1-0 |
| 2021 | 7-5 | 4-5 | #19 | #4 | 0-1 |
| 2020 | 4-5 | 4-5 | #16 | — | — |
| 2019 | 10-2 | 7-2 | #6 | — | 1-0 |
| 2018 | 9-3 | 6-3 | #15 | — | 0-1 |
| 2017 | 10-2 | 7-2 | #6 | — | 1-0 |
| 2016 | 11-2 | 9-1 | #11 | — | 0-1 |
| 2015 | 7-5 | 4-4 | #32 | — | 0-1 |
| 2014 | 6-6 | 2-6 | #36 | — | 1-0 |
Recent Form · last 5
4-1 SU · 3-1 ATS · O3/U1
Betting Profile
2025 · 12 w/ line
| Straight up | 7-6 |
| ATS | 4-833% |
| Over / Under | 8-4 O-U |
| — ATS splits — | |
| As favorite | 2-7 |
| As underdog | 2-1 |
| Home | 2-5 |
| Away | 2-3 |
vs closing line · splits show cover–no cover
Recruiting Classes
avg #15 · 157 blue-chip
■ 5★■ 4★■ 3★216 rated signees
| Class | Natl | Pts | 5★ | 4★ | 3★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #15 | 255 | 0 | 20 | 2 |
| 2024 | #15 | 266 | 0 | 16 | 4 |
| 2023 | #14 | 270 | 0 | 18 | 4 |
| 2022 | #6 | 279 | 3 | 12 | 5 |
| 2021 | #21 | 216 | 0 | 7 | 6 |
| 2020 | #15 | 256 | 0 | 12 | 5 |
| 2019 | #12 | 271 | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| 2018 | #6 | 286 | 3 | 12 | 8 |
| 2017 | #15 | 240 | 0 | 11 | 7 |
| 2016 | #20 | 238 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
247Sports composite · class rank vs all FBS
Roster Talent
talent #10
Returning prod 57%Departed 43%
Portal in 8net -8Out 16
Talent composite910.4 #10 / 134
Portal avg stars (in / out)3.3 / 3.3
Returning usage (pass / rush / rec)91 / 89 / 37
Notable Portal Moves
| ▲ | Amare Campbell | LB | 4★ | ← North Carolina |
| ▲ | Trebor Pena | WR | 4★ | ← Syracuse |
| ▲ | King Mack | S | 3★ | ← Alabama |
| ▲ | TJ Shanahan | IOL | 3★ | ← Texas A&M |
| ▼ | Harrison Wallace III | WR | 4★ | → Ole Miss |
| ▼ | Beau Pribula | QB | 4★ | → Missouri |
| ▼ | Smith Vilbert | EDGE | 4★ | → North Carolina |
| ▼ | Mehki Flowers | S | 4★ | → Akron |
returning PPA · portal · talent composite · 2025
Injury Report · 0
No injuries reported.
Team News
20 items
- Penn State a strong contender for Top247 offensive linemanPenn State hasn’t done a ton of work for the Class of 2028, but one of its players is showing a ton of interest in the school.PSU9h
- Penn State's Big Ten media day representatives namedPenn State selects Tony Rojas, Anthony Donkoh, and Rocco Becht to represent the team at Big Ten media days.PSU10h
- James Franklin Defends Penn State Nittany Lions Legacy After FiringWhen head coach James Franklin first got to Happy Valley, the Penn State Nittany Lions were a mess. Still dealing with fallout from the Jerry Sandusky scandal, the program faced very real questions about where it would sit in the world of college football moving forward, and under Franklin’s leadership, they consistently became a Top […] The post James Franklin Defends Penn State Nittany Lions Legacy After Firing appeared first on HEAVY.PSU11h
- Only Anthony Donkoh Until Penn State FootballPenn State will open its season in 68 days at Beaver Stadium against Marshall. Prized offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh will hope to be fully healthy and in the starting lineup against the Thundering Herd, wearing No. 68. The redshirt junior emerged back in 2024, earning his way into the starting lineup at right tackle as […]
- If Penn State Football Fizzles in 2026, Here's What Went WrongThe Nittany Lions have little margin for error at some roster spots this season.PSU21h
- Penn State’s Beaver Stadium to become largest CFB venue ever in 2026Penn State has had the second-biggest stadium in college football for some time now, but that is set to change during the 2026 season.PSU1d
- How Potent Can Virginia Tech's Offense Be in 2026?The Hokies' offense will feature a new signal-caller in 2026: Ethan Grunkemeyer (1,339 yds, eight TDs and four INT in 2025).
- Only Back-to-Back Undefeated Seasons Until Penn State FootballPenn State opens its football season at home in 69 days against Marshall. There’s no No. 69 on this year’s football roster, but in 1969, the Lions completed a second straight unbeaten season and finished No. 2 in the national polls. Penn State, fresh off their unbeaten 1968 season and a win in the Orange […]PSU1d
- Previewing the 2026 season for Penn State K Ryan BarkerRyan Barker returns to handle Penn State's placekicking duties in 2026.
- Previewing the 2026 season for Penn State QB Kase EvansFreshman Kase Evans comes to Penn State in the Class of 2026 out of Texas after backing off his commitment to Iowa State. How does he fit in 2026?PSU1d
- Where Penn State athletes rank in EA Sports’ College Football 27Penn State has five players ranked in the top 10 at their position in EA Sports’ College Football 27.PSU1d
- Penn State Football Week in Review: How Matt Campbell Landed a QuarterbackCheck out our top Penn State football stories for the last week of June.PSU1d
- Penn State football just landed a player who could end up being a legit steal in the 2027 recruiting classThe Penn State Nittany Lions are finding some good, hidden talent in their 2027 recruiting class.PSU2d
- College football futures: Why a +2000 longshot offers the best odds to win 2026 Big Ten titleHere's why Penn State offers the best value in futures marketsPSU2d
- Tennessee dismisses star edge rusher Chaz Coleman in $2 million transfer portal disasterOne of college football’s biggest transfer portal splashes has turned into a $2 million disaster for Tennessee.
- Chaz Coleman, Tennessee part ways as Vols' massive transfer bet goes bustColeman arrived as a top-10 transfer and one of Tennessee's splashiest NIL-era additions. Months later, the Vols are moving on.
- EA Sports College Football 27 team ratings for Penn State and Big TenThe three best teams in EA Sports College Football 27 will be from the Big Ten. Where does Penn State rank?PSU2d
- Penn State Quarterback Commit Will Wood Details His Road to the 2027 ClassWood is the first high school quarterback to commit to Matt Campbell's Nittany Lions.PSU2d
- Penn State football loses out on a player they desperately needed for their 2027 recruiting classThe Penn State Nittany Lions are still in a decent position with their 2027 recruiting class, but missing out on Lucas Rhoa could hurt.PSU3d
- Penn State enters race for 4-star running back from Class of 2028Penn State is always trying to add more running back talent, and they’re doing it again after offering 4-star running back Jayshawn Mitchell.PSU3d