Penn State veterans update their progress ahead of 2023 season

Several Penn State football veterans spent time speaking with the media after Lift For Life on Thursday evening inside Holuba Hall. Today you’ll hear from defensive end Chop Robinson, linebacker Curtis Jacobs and offensive lineman Landon Tengwall about their work to improve themselves for next fall.

Chop Robinson working on his bullrush

A major talking point for Chop Robinson was his weight gain over the last calendar year. Robinson spent his freshman season at Maryland before transferring to Happy Valley in the spring of 2022. So this offseason was his first in a Penn State strength program.

“So last year, when I came here around early June, I weighed about 240. Right now, I weigh around 255, and I feel way faster, stronger, and bigger than I was when I first got here. I’m excited to see how it goes.”

While many might think that weight gain is to help hold up in the run game, it’s not just about holding the edge to the second-year defensive end. He plans to use that added strength as a pass rusher too.

“Honestly, when you’re rushing the passer, you can’t always use a speed move. You’ve got to use a bullrush sometimes, and if you’re not up in that weight, that bullrush move isn’t going to work. Me adding this weight, I feel like I’ll pull a few more tricks out of my bag,” Robinson said.

Robinson already led the Nittany Lions with 48 pressures and five sacks last year without the added weight and strength. With more balance at the position, he could be a game-changing player for the Nittany Lions.

Curtis Jacobs is working to push Penn State defense

Penn State linebacker Curtis Jacobs worked hard this offseason at many things, but two stood out.

“I’ve been working on my speed and my play strength. I feel like those both can be major contributors as I go through this season into the next level,” Jacobs said to the assembled media.

Jacobs spent last season playing both outside linebacker roles for the Nittany Lions. Even after Penn State freshman Abdul Carter stepped into a more prominent role, Jacobs saw plenty of snaps at the Will linebacker, which is a box linebacker position. Playing with more strength through contact is helpful at both positions, but it is critical to play in the box.

Earlier this spring defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said he challenged Jacobs to come back and be great, not good. It’s something that Jacobs took to heart.

“I don’t think you can halfway do this thing. When I decided to come back, it was about working on myself and working on this team and making everyone as great as we can be. I feel like I haven’t reached my full potential, and I feel like we as a defense and we as a team haven’t reached our full potential. So I feel like it’s time for us to show it.”

Landon Tengwall feels great

Big things were coming for then-redshirt freshman Landon Tengwall last season. But an injury forced the Penn State lineman to miss most of the season and required season-ending surgery. So where is he now on his road to recovery?

“Ya know, I feel fantastic; it’s the best my body’s ever felt. You know, I went through all the spring ball [with] no setbacks. I did all the spring ball. So I’m feeling great heading into the season and camp. So we’re ready to rock and roll,” Tengwall said.

The 6-6, 315-pound redshirt sophomore is the presumed starter at left guard for the fall. But unlike last year, if something happens to a starter, the depth and experience on the offensive line is unlike anything Tengwall has seen at Penn State, especially on the interior.

“I think we’ve got two full lines that can play that can play ball out there. A lot of teams don’t have that old line depth. It’s hard [for] younger guys, it’s a very physical position to play. But with how we push each other, it just makes the young guys step up, and they’re ready early.”

Penn State will start fall camp at the end of July with the season’s first game against West Virginia on Sept. 2 at Beaver Stadium.