Penn State football winter workouts: Seven Nittany Lions earn multiple nods

Penn State continued its on-field portion of its winter workout session Tuesday morning, marking the fifth occasion ahead of the team’s spring practices.

With it, the Nittany Lions’ offseason of development continued in earnest for seven players who have now earned recognition from the Penn State coaching staff on multiple occasions.

And for the third time this month, that charge was led by sixth-year senior quarterback Sean Clifford. Building on previous acknowledgments from offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich on Feb. 8 and Feb. 15, Clifford delivered his third winning performance as the top performer in the quarterback room on Tuesday.

Clifford wasn’t alone in stacking days, however.

At tight end, the Theo Johnson show continued and marked a significant milestone in his selection from coach Ty Howle. After handing the recognition to Tyler Warren on the first workout of the month, Howle has pointed to Johnson each of the past four workouts making Johnson the first and only four-time pick on the team.

Joining Clifford and Johnson in the “multiple winners club” for Penn State’s on-field winter workouts are five other Nittany Lions notching a second win for the first time this month.

At receiver, Malick Meiga put together the position’s first back-to-back top performance after having earned a nod from Taylor Stubblefield last Thursday, Feb. 17.

Also on the offensive side of the ball, OL coach Phil Trautwein picked his first two-time winner this winter in Caedan Wallace. A rising redshirt junior, Wallace was also selected as the top performer on Feb. 10.

After a hiatus in making picks from corners coach Terry Smith last week, Kalen King earned a second nod. The same was true for kicker Jake Pinegar on special teams, who earned his second selection from new coordinator Stacy Collins.

Penn State freshman defensive lineman shines

The last of Penn State’s multiple winners club is significant in its rarity.

For the second time, defensive line coach John Scott Jr. has selected true freshman defensive lineman Zane Durant as his competitor of the day. An early enrollee, the four-star prospect out of Florida has made an immediate impression with his workout performances.

“Iron Sharpens Iron” Winter Workout #5 Competitor of the day is @darealbabyzane pic.twitter.com/ku9wVJa0UY

— John Scott Jr. (@CoachJScott_DL) February 22, 2022

Position change to watch

Unannounced in an official capacity, safeties coach Anthony Poindexter signaled a shift in the Nittany Lions’ secondary this offseason.

Big day for @ZakeeWheatley today. Really learning how to compete every time you step on the grass. Great job finishing the last drill! pic.twitter.com/jFbWnqSNYN

— Anthony Poindexter (@Coachpoindexter) February 22, 2022

Spending his first season as a corner, Wheatley’s top competitor recognition with the safeties shows where he’ll perform this spring. He also appears now on Penn State’s team roster as a safety.

Other notable workout standouts

The rash of Penn State players receiving recognition again didn’t mean Tuesday couldn’t feature a few newcomers as well.

After Keyvone Lee came home with the recognition of running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider for the first three workouts, Devyn Ford joined the party Tuesday as the group’s top performer. A rising true senior, Ford joins redshirt sophomore Caziah Holmes in dipping into Lee’s iron grip.

Similarly at linebacker, new Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz switched up his selection again. Following a dominant week for Curtis Jacobs, redshirt freshman Kobe King made his first appearance as a top performer at linebacker.

Penn State winter workout standout selections

Quarterback: Christian Veilleux (2/10) (2/17), Sean Clifford (2/8) (2/15) (2/22)

Running back: Keyvone Lee (2/8) (2/10) (2/15), Caziah Holmes (2/17), Devyn Ford (2/22)

Receiver: Jaden Dottin (2/8), Harrison Wallace (2/10), KeAndre Lambert-Smith (2/15), Malick Meiga (2/17) (2/22)

Tight end: Tyler Warren (2/8), Theo Johnson (2/10) (2/15) (2/17) (2/22)

Offensive line: Juice Scruggs (2/8), Landon Tengwall (2/15), Olu Fashanu (2/17),  Caedan Wallace (2/10) (2/22)

Defensive line: Nick Tarburton (2/8), Zuriah Fisher (2/10) (2/17), Zane Durant (2/15) (2/22)

Linebacker: Jonathan Sutherland (2/8), Tyler Elsdon (2/10), Curtis Jacobs (2/15)(2/17), Kobe King (2/22)

Corner: Johnny Dixon (2/10), Kalen King (2/8) (2/22)

Safety: Ji’Ayir Brown (2/8), Jaylen Reed (2/10), Ji’Ayir Brown (2/15), Sebastian Constantini (2/17), Zakee Wheatley (2/22)

Special teams: Punter Barney Amor (2/8), Snapper Chris Stoll (2/15), Kicker Sander Sahaydak (2/17), Kicker Jake Pinegar (2/10) (2/22)