Top Five Penn State players that need to have strong winter workouts

Now that we’ve formally turned the page from the 2022 football season and Penn State is deep into winter workouts, it’s time to look forward. Today, we’re looking at the five players that need to have a strong winter workout in 2023. To get the full story, check out the BWI Daily Edition, where Ryan Snyder gives his list.

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Top Five Penn State players who need to improve this offseason

5) Tre Wallace

You can point to any receiver on the crowded Penn State receiver depth chart and say that player needs to have a strong winter and spring. But, while adding new position coach Marques Hagans brings a clean slate, it doesn’t change past production and game film.

Last season Harrison Wallace flashed in his redshirt sophomore season as a big-play threat. If we’re being overly simplistic, you could boil his season down to four catches of 26, 48,25, and 27 yards. On the flip side, PFF charged him with five drops.

It’s time to make good on the promise of his big play and acrobatic profile heading into this third season. The staff made little secret that they were uncomfortable with only the promise of upside in the receiver room by adding two wideouts in the transfer portal. Additionally, Dante Cephas and especially Malik McClain are primarily going to line up outside. We don’t know the entire plan yet, but adding depth to Wallace’s position signals stiffer cooperation this offseason.

4) Saleem Wormley

While Penn State didn’t add players via the transfer portal at guard, the competition pushing Sal Wormley is still present. Injuries played a part last season, but Wormley didn’t deliver as a mauling right guard that blasts open holes for the running game. He was good, but his pulling ability and gap-blocking skills didn’t make up for his struggles in pass protection.

According to PFF, Wormley allowed a team-high seven quarterback knockdowns (sacks plus hits) and 25 pressures. Those numbers typically reflect the play of a tackle out in space, not a guard that has helped in both directions and occasionally a chip block from a running back.

Wormley needs to take his game to the next level because the youth behind him is dripping with talent. The immediate threat is redshirt freshman Vega Ioane. Still, other players, like Caedan Wallace and Drew Shelton, have guard versatility if the staff decides they are among the five best players next fall

BWI Daily: Top 5 players who need to have strong winter workouts

3) Hakeem Beamon

Over the last two years, one of the more entertaining parts of the offseason has been trying to guess what weight will pop up on the updated roster for Hakeem Beamon. One year he bulks up to 275, another, he’s down near the 250s.

Penn State head coach James Franklin clearly wants his team to be bigger on each line. While Beamon cant change his body type, he can maximize his weight potential. He’s proven that he can be a solid contributor playing at 265. However, Beamon must find his way to a higher weight to be a standout force. If he can do that, Penn State should have three solid defensive tackles to rotate on the interior.

2) Adisa Isaac

Unlike the rest of the players on this list, Adisa Isaac isn’t in danger of losing too many snaps next fall. He had a good year in the first season under defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, and he was an iron man, leading the defensive end room in snaps.

Isaac’s place on this list is one of optimism. Can he get back to his elite levels of explosiveness as a pass rusher? Again, he was one of the better players for the defense last year, but the undeniable pop out of his stance was missing. Another year removed from his Achilles injury should allow him to push himself in the weight room and regain those difference-making physical tools.

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1) Tyler Elsdon

Penn State’s 2023 season doesn’t rest on Tyler Elsdon’s shoulders, despite what some of his critics may think. The middle linebacker plays an undeniably valuable role in football, but the emphasis on the position diminishes yearly with the increase in spread passing attacks.

But the Mike Linebacker, unlike the Sam, comes off the field much less. Elsdon doesn’t have to be a star, but he needs to be an answer at the position. If Penn State wants to make a run at a Big Ten title berth, they need to have a solid solution at each position. Right now, Elsdon’s physical profile prevents him from doing that, especially in pass coverage. His speed, and especially his mobility, need to improve this winter. If he can reach a level of reliability, the defense can flourish. If not, Kobe King will be behind him, trying to prove he’s that answer.