Penn State roster update: Weight changes for offensive players

The Penn State football program put out an updated roster with new positions and weights for the team during winter conditioning. While the biggest headline is linebacker Abdul Carter moving positions, we’ll get to several notable changes in weight that we’ll get to. We’re looking at the offensive roster to see whose made gains over the last month and a half. 

Class of 2025 offensive lineman making good on his fame early

Some Penn State fans were concerned about four-star offensive tackle Garrett Sexton’s ability to put on weight. He entered the program at 260 pounds in January and looked skinny at nearly 6-7. 

Well, worry not. Sexton got to work over the last several months to pack on the muscle. In the latest update, he’s up to 295 pounds. That’s an astounding 35-pound gain since his early-enrollee listed weight. While we won’t know the full story until speaking with strength coach Chuck Losey later this semester, Penn State rarely has players put on bad weight. 

Sexton still isn’t a realistic candidate to play his freshman season, but it’s a very encouraging sign. Runner-up on the weight gain train is redshirt freshman tackle Chimdy Onoh. The project player gained 23 pounds this offseason and is up to a quality playing weight of 323 pounds.  

Here are the other weight changes on the offensive line. 

• Cooper Cousins – Down one pound from 320 to 319
• Dominic Rulli – Up seven pounds from 287 to 294
• Nick Dawkins – Down nine pounds from 315 to 306
• Chimdy Onoh – Up 23 pounds from 300 to 323
• JB Nelson – Down seven pounds from 334 to 327
• Liam Powers – Up 14 pounds from 292 to 306
• Alex Birchmeier – Up one pound from 304 to 305
• Eagan Boyer – Up one pound from 250 to 251
• Jim Fitzgerald – Down seven pounds from 318 to 311
• Drew Shelton – No change (306)
• Henry Boehme No Change (283)
• Anthony Donkoh – Up five pounds from 323 to 328
• Garrett Sexton – Up 35 pounds from 260 to 295
• J’ven Williams – Up one pound from 304 to 305
• Vega Ioane – Down six pounds from 348 to 342
• Nolan Rucci – Up five pounds from 300 to 305
• Matt Detisch – Down 15 pounds from 300 to 285
• Sal Wormley – Up six pounds from 324 to 330
• Golden Israel-Achumba – No change (332)
• Addison Penn – Down one pound from 304 to 303

Quarterbacks stay consistent

There was little, if any, movement from the quarterback room this winter. The significant change was Jaxon Smolik filling out and joining the rest of the quarterbacks in the 200-pound club. He gained eight pounds this offseason and is now virtually the same height and weight as redshirt sophomore quarterback Beau Pribula. In fact, Ethan Grunkemeyer is there with them at 202 pounds. As always, the major outlier is starter Drew Allar, who is a good 30-plus pounds heavier than his teammates. 

• Beau Pribula – Up two pounds from 203 to 205
• Jaxon Smolik – Up eight pounds from 197 to 205
• Drew Allar – Down one pound from 242 to 241
• Ethan Grunkemeyer – Up two pounds from 200 to 202
• Karson Kiesewetter – Up four pounds from 187 to 191
• Jack Lambert – No Change (201)

Freshmen making strides at Running backs

Penn State’s top two running backs stayed rock-solid in their offseason progression. Both players transformed themselves in the first two years of their time on campus and are in the refinement stage. Nick Singleton added four pounds of muscle and is nearly 230 pounds, at 226. 

Yet, the progress everyone was waiting for happened with freshman Quinton Martin Jr. The four-star running back crept closer to that 200-pound threshold in the first month on campus, gaining nine pounds. Redshirt freshman Cam Wallace, who looks well-built in person, is up eight pounds from 191 to 199. The team should have no shortage of talent at the position this fall. 

• Nicholas Singleton – Up four pounds from 222 to 226
• Kaytron Allen – Up two pounds from 222 to 225
• London Montgomery – Up one pound from 185 to 186
• David Kency Jr. – Down two pounds from 175 to 173 
• Quinton Martin Jr. – Up nine pounds from 185 to 194
• Cam Wallace – Up eight pounds from 191 to 198
• Amiel Davis – Up six pounds from 208 to 214
• Tyler Holzworth – Up 10 pounds from 218 to 221

Tight Ends 

The young players at Penn State’s most consistent position are making the necessary strides this winter, but they have yet to blow up the way the offensive line players have. Andrew Rappleyea is up six pounds and, at 249, is nearly at an ideal playing weight. Joey Schlaffer also added seven pounds and is up to 233, but at 6-6, he still looks lean. 

However, the main weight gainer of the group was freshman Luke Reynolds, who packed on eight pounds since enrolling at Penn State. However, he’s up to 228 and still far from a logical playing weight for his position. 

• Khalil Dinkins – Up two pounds from 245 to 246
• Luke Reynolds – Up eight pounds from 220 to 228
• Tyler Warren – Up two pounds from 257 to 259
• Luke Reynolds – Up eight pounds from 220 to 228
• Luke Reynolds – Up eight pounds from 220 to 228
• Jerry Cross – Up six pounds from 254 to 260
• Fin Furmanek – Up 20 pounds from 218 to 238

Penn State veteran wide receiver makes big jump

It’ll be interesting to see how the biggest change on the Penn State receiving board shakes out. Senior wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith made a big jump, especially given his long, lean frame. He added nine pounds this winter and nearly crested the 200-pound mark at 194. This is the biggest the veteran wide receiver has been in his Penn State career. Strength through contact has been a big part of Lambert-Smith’s issues throughout his career, so watching his development this spring will be intriguing. 

However, the fascinating development is that the Class of 2022 wide receiver room claimed another safety. Cristian Driver transitioned to the position this past season before transferring this offseason, and now Mehki Flowers is on offense. Fellow 2022 recruit Tyler Johnson also made a big move this winter, adding 14 pounds and topping out at 197 on the latest roster update. Here’s the full list of changes. 

• KeAndre Lambert Smith: Up nine pounds from 185 to 194
• Liam Clifford – Up two pounds from 201 203
• Julian Fleming – Down one pound from 210 to 209
• Malik Meiga – Up two pounds from 203 to 205
• Omari Evans – Down four pounds from 189 to 185
• Harrison Wallace – Up two pounds from 194 to 196
• Kaden Saunders – No Change (175)
• Tyler Johnson – Up 14 pounds from 183 to 197
• Malick McClain – Up one pound from 206 to 207
• Anthony Ivey – Down two pounds from 180 to 178
• Josiah Brown – Up ten pounds from 165 to 175
• Carmelo Taylor – Down eight pounds from 169 to 161
• Logan Cunningham – Down two pounds from 190 to 188
• Feyisayo Oluleye – Up three pounds from 204 to 207
• Ethan Black – Up six pounds from 165 to 171
• Jake Spencer – No Change (214)
• Jason Estrella – up seven pounds from 186 to 193

More Penn State roster updates

–Penn State star linebacker Abdul Carter in line for position change

–Examining Penn State’s January additions on the newest roster update

–Penn State football positional clarity established with roster update

–Penn State roster weight changes: OFFENSE | DEFENSE