Penn State redshirt report: Four Nittany Lions have used a year of eligibility; where do the rest stand?
Penn State coach James Franklin said before the 2023 season began that four Nittany Lions were green-lit to use a year of eligibility this fall. After Saturday’s 43-13 win over Northwestern, all have. Linebacker Tony Rojas, cornerbacks Elliot Washington II and Zion Tracy, and safety King Mack all played in the victory over the Wildcats. It was each player’s fifth game, which puts them over the threshold to preserve a redshirt.
Tracy had the big play of the game. He made the tackle on a Northwestern fake punt when the score was 20-10 with about five minutes to go in the third quarter. Seven plays later, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar hit running back Nicholas Singleton for a two-yard touchdown toss that culminated a seven play, 34-yard drive to put the Lions up 27-10. Their lead would only swell from there.
“We talked about that all week long,” Franklin said. “There was going to be something show up in that game, an onsides kick, a surprise, a fake punt, something to steal a possession or steal seven points. So that was a huge play for us. Zion [Tracy] is a true freshman that showed some really good flashes and played a decent amount of football for us up to this stage. But that was a huge play the game.
“I talked last week about the three key plays. That was a big play. We talked about it all week long and prepare for. But, it’s one thing to talk about and prepare for. It’s another thing to go out and make the play and especially from a true freshman. So that’s something we got to build on.”
Reviewing the four freshmen who played against Northwestern
Back when the season started, Franklin said the quartet referenced above would play because they can suit up on the second- or third-team defense while starting on special teams. All four have. Against the Wildcats, all did.
Tracy finished with two tackles. Washington II had one. Mack and Rojas saw time late and/or on special teams throughout the contest. Each is performing at a level that makes using a year of eligibility worthwhile.
Tracking the Nittany Lions’ redshirt plan
Thanks to an NCAA rule change, players can now suit up in four regular season games and an unlimited number of postseason games while still preserving a year of eligibility. So, Penn State would need to use a freshman in five of 12 regular season games to burn his redshirt this fall.
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Here’s where the Penn State tracker stands after Week 5:
Five games
LB Tony Rojas
CB Elliot Washington II
CB Zion Tracy
S King Mack
Two games
DE Jameial Lyons
OT J’ven Williams
OT Anthony Donkoh
One game
QB Jaxon Smolik
TE Andrew Rappleyea
OL Chimdy Onoh
DT Tyriq Blanding
LB Ta’Mere Robinson
LB Kaveion Keys
CB Lamont Payne
S DaKaari Nelson
Zero games
RB London Montgomery
RB Cam Wallace
WR Carmelo Taylor
TE Joey Schlaffer
OL Alex Birchmeier
DE Joseph Mupoyi
DE Mason Robinson
Franklin recently addressed the Penn State redshirt plan before the Northwestern game.
“We have the guys that we had as green that we’re going to play,” Franklin said last Wednesday night. “[For] those guys, the model hasn’t changed. We’re going to continue to play those guys.
“The guys that we would characterize as yellows, as of right now, those guys are staying yellow unless we get some bumps and bruises that we have to kind of change their status,” Franklin said. “I think it’s also, we’re trying to be as strategic as we can. The play early and then maybe hold and save some games for late in the season.”
