Penn State puts six on On3's top 100 college football players list
Penn State is a top 10 team in the 2023 early preseason polls. That means it has some stars. And, six of them are among college football’s top 100 players.
A new list out from On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power and college football analyst Clark Brooks spotlights the game’s top players entering the new season. Olu Fashanu is the first Nittany Lion listed. The future first-round NFL Draft pick and left tackle checks in at No. 7 overall.
“In a dropback league, locking in quality pass blocker prospects is a necessity,” the On3 analysts write. “Olu Fashanu squarely fits that mold. Despite only 9 career starts and missing the final month-plus of last year, he flashed brilliance. Neither Ohio State’s nor Michigan’s DLines logged a single pressure against him.”
Next on the list is Kalen King. The third-year Nittany Lion and preseason All-American candidate checks in at No. 10. Second-year linebacker Abdul Carter, then, comes in at No. 16.
“[LSU linebacker] Harold Perkins and Abdul Carter were in my opinion the top two true freshman defenders last fall,” Power writes.
“Both are dangerous as blitzers and create a bunch of disruption with their speed and physicality. [Alabama cornerback] Kool-Aid McKinstry and Kalen King are two savvy corners with ball skills.”
Of the top 20 trio, only Fashanu had the option to leave school early. He decided to come back for another season, though, in part to finish unfinished business in the classroom and on the field.
Who else from Penn State made the cut?
Three other Nittany Lions also made the On3 top 100 college football players list. Defensive end Chop Robinson was No. 25. Running back Nicholas Singleton is No. 33.
“At running back, I view Nick Singleton as the top pure talent at the position in college football,” Power writes. “He splits carries with fellow top 100 member Kaytron Allen, so we probably won’t see him post the gaudiest stats. But the burst, home run speed and physicality are on the high end.”
Last but not least, linebacker Curtis Jacobs is No. 100.
Penn State opens the 2023 season against West Virginia. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on NBC at Beaver Stadium. The Lions’ win total currently sits at 9.5 wins. How these six players perform will go a long way toward determining whether the team finishes above or below that figure in the regular season.
