David Pollack believes replacing weapons will be Penn State's biggest question in 2025

The Penn State Nittany Lions are going into the 2025 season with some massive expectations. After going to the semifinal of the College Football Playoff, head coach James Franklin wants to finally get over the hump to win a championship.

Analyst David Pollack sees the vision for Penn State. However, as he explained on See Ball Get Ball, he does think that there is a big question to answer. How do the Nittany Lions replace Tyler Warren and other weapons lost?

“Ty Warren,” David Pollack said. “He gone. [Andy] Kotelnicki, upgrade at DC with [Jim] Knowles. Offensive line’s going to be better, more experienced. I think it’s Ty Warren slash weapons. Are they good enough on the perimeter?”

Warren is the player Pollack called out by name needing to be replaced. The tight end would take snaps as a wildcat quarterback at times, but he also became one of the best tight ends in the country. With 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns last season, he won the Mackey and became a first round NFL Draft pick. That tight ends room is now led by senior Khalil Dinkins and sophomore Luke Reynolds.

Wide receiver was more of an issue for Penn State last season. Harrison Wallace led the receivers with 46 receptions for 720 yards. Next was Omari Evans, who dropped to 21 receptions for 415 yards. In their elimination game, Wallace lost three yards and no other receiver put a stat on the stat sheet. So, James Franklin made a point of flipping the receivers. Wallace is gone, Evans is gone, and Julian Fleming has moved on. That’s three of four receivers who had more than 10 receptions. Incoming players Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross, and Kyron Hudson hope to provide a spark there.

“Because I think the defense is going to be really good, really solid. QB is a three-year starter. Running back is obviously studly,” Pollack said. “I think I’ll go with the weapons on offense. Can they be proven in the passing game and win on the outside to create space to run more?”

James Franklin believes Penn State has a ‘tremendous opportunity’ to win a national championship

James Franklin wants to stay focused on the task at hand in 2025. At the same time, he’d be remiss if he didn’t acknowledge the opportunity Penn State has to win a national championship.

“I think we have a tremendous opportunity to do some special things this year. I know you don’t want me to do this, but I am excited about our opportunity. Nevada is our opening game. People are gonna say, ‘Well, that’s not a big game.’ We’ll lose to Nevada and find out quickly. So, we’re focused on that, but I’m also totally comfortable with talking about the things we aspire to do as a team this year and as a season and for these players,” Franklin said.

“To me, that’s the biggest thing is I want these players to experience this. I want these players that have come back and made these sacrifices to be a part of something special. That’s why I wake up very early. That’s why I go to sleep late at night. Trying to put these players in the best position to be successful. And have a very, very special season this year at Penn State.”

Penn State will open its 2025 season against Nevada on August 30th. They’ll later begin Big Ten play on September 27th with a showdown against Oregon.