3 Penn State players among ESPN's top 25 most important college football players: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for Aug. 11 include a look at ESPN’s most important college football players, plus headlines of the day and much more.
It’s time to dive into Friday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with ESPN’s list of the 25 most important college football players ahead of the 2023 season. Staff writer Bill Connelly, who also generates the respected SP+ rankings, has three Penn State players on his list. The first is running back Nicholas Singleton. He checks in at No. 22 among the group of talents who have “pure transcendence potential.”
“There are few feelings more exhilarating for a college football observer than watching a young player who (a) is doing physically spectacular things we rarely see and (b) clearly has another gear or two to find,” Connelly writes. “That was the Nick Singleton experience in full in 2022.
“He also fumbled three times with minimal contributions in the passing game. He’s probably going to get better. That’s a scary thought.”
Next up is Dante Cephas. The first-year Penn State receiver is No. 13 and among the subsection of players Connelly deems are the most important transfers.
“Cephas’ upside appears immense if his power-conference learning curve isn’t too steep,” Connelly writes. “In 23 games over the past two seasons, he caught 130 passes at 15.3 yards per catch with nine 100-yard games. He has experience out wide and in the slot, and he could be a solid security blanket for a young QB.”
Top 10
- 1New
Urban Meyer
Coach alarmed by UT fan turnout at OSU
- 2
Bowl insurance
Historic policies for Hunter, Shedeur
- 3Hot
CFP home games
Steve Spurrier calls for change
- 4
Nick Saban endorsed
Lane Kiffin suggests as commish
- 5
Diego Pavia
Vandy QB ruling forces change
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
The highest-rated Lion is quarterback Drew Allar. He checks in at No. 2 and is in the subsection of “new starting QBs for potential contenders with a potential game-changing leap and shots at lots of contenders.”
“The Nittany Lions need to find a smidgen more upside, in other words,” Connelly writes. “You know, the kind that a blue-chip, throw-it-over-the-moon quarterback can deliver.”
In other news, BWI publisher Sean Fitz was first to report that Lions first-year defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr. will miss the 2023 season due to injury.
Headlines of the day
Penn State defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr. set to miss the 2023 season: Fitz, BWI
How will Penn State shut down a No. 1 WR in 2023? An elite corner has the Lions covered: Flounders, PennLive
Penn State takeaways: James Franklin on QB camp reps, the foundation of the offensive line, and more: Pickel, BWI
Penn State’s Abdul Carter, Curtis Jacobs and Kalen King land on preseason watch lists: Haas, Daily Collegian
Half a world from home, Penn State OL Vega Ioane pushing for time in year two: Fitz, BWI
Quote of the day
“I’ve been seeing dudes competing, to be honest with you,” Barnes said. “We’re technically sound. We’re doing the right things. They listen to what I’m doing. I’m a demanding coach, so they are responding to it. The critiques that I’m giving, they’re trying to be able to perfect it, get right, and perfect their craft.”
–PSU DL coach Deion Barnes on the development of his defensive ends and tackles in preseason camp.
