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Penn State has numerous 2025 signees on campus for Fiesta Bowl practice; what will they gain by being there?

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•about 22 hours•

GregPickel

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Penn State coach James Franklin oversees practice. (Photo credit: Sean Fitz/BWI)

The 27-man Penn State football Class of 2025 is represented on the practice field as the Nittany Lions continue to prepare for their College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup with Boise State. NCAA rules allow newcomers to participate in drills after they sign, complete their high school requirements, and are cleared to do so by the NCAA. They cannot compete in the postseason on game day, of course. But, the experience they’ll gain over however long head coach James Franklin’s team stays alive will be invaluable.

Of the group of newcomers on hand, most of them will play offense at this level. But, three defenders, linebacker LaVar Arrington II, defensive back Braswell Thomas, and cornerback Daryus Dixson, were inside of Holuba Hall on Friday morning. None of those three are cleared to practice yet. But they, and their other classmates who are with the team, are getting an experience that signees before them at other schools have received but that few, if any, Penn State signees before them have been able to take advantage of.

BWI subscribers can see the list of Penn State Class of 2025 signees who are already on campus by clicking here. Not a subscriber? Join for $1 for seven days of access by clicking here.

“I just think the benefit is getting a chance to be around the team and starting to learn how we do things,” Lions defensive coordinator Tom Allen said. “You get a chance to physically participate, those that are able to do that, and most of those guys will. I don’t think you can put a price tag on all those additional reps they’re going to get. Just having it to where the next time we get on the field, which will be spring football, it won’t be the first time doing certain things and how we practice and the routines we go through.

“And now start lifting weights and start sitting in meetings and start learning the system. And so I just think that anytime you have a chance to be a part of something like this, that’s a pretty cool experience for our guys.”

What will the group on hand get to experience?

Again, the Class of 2025 signees who are on campus cannot play in the Fiesta Bowl or any other postseason game. But, they can make the trip to Phoenix and be at practice, in meetings, and on the sideline on game day. What exactly will they gain?

“I just think that the practical example would be, ‘hey, just get a chance to play more football,'” Allen said. “Number two is, they’re learning this new system. And number three is like, ‘hey, how do we operate as a Penn State football player, in terms of meetings, weight room, meals, all the things, being away from home for the first time, just kind of get a chance to really work through all those things.

“And get a chance to do it with your future teammates. Which, is a pretty cool thing. So, excited to have those guys with us. And, looking forward to being able to work with them here real soon.”

Penn State senior safety Jaylen Reed said he wishes that he had a similar opportunity coming out of high school.

“It’s just a great thing,” Reed said. I wish I could have got it when I was younger. It’s a great thing, and it helps their process, so they can get on quicker and follow it all faster.”

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