Two Penn State players make On3's list of freshmen who could have an impact this fall
If Penn State is going to reach its potential this upcoming season, it won’t be because of last year’s recruiting class. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot Penn State fans should like about the 2023 class, but compared to previous years under James Franklin, this year’s team is one of the deepest we’ve seen when it comes to experience. Sure, you can find teams who have more returning starters, but there aren’t many programs that have the overall depth of playing experience that Penn State returns.
With that said, the Nittany Lions still signed 14 four-star players and 23 total in the Class of 2023. A good portion of those players will play in four games, some of whom likely more.
On Tuesday, On3’s Senior National College Football Reporter, Matt Zenitz, published a report naming 10 freshmen in the Big Ten who could have an impact for their respective schools this upcoming season. Penn State was the only school with not one but two players who made the cut: linebacker Tony Rojas and safety King Mack.
Matt Zenitz on Tony Rojas & King Mack
“Penn State has two of the top linebackers in the Big Ten, Curtis Jacobs and Abdul Carter, and Rojas is a talented first-year player that the Nittany Lions staff is excited about,” Zenitz wrote.
“Rojas has put on more than 20 pounds since enrolling at Penn State while maintaining his speed. He capped a strong spring with a game-high nine tackles during the Nittany Lions’ spring game.
“As for Mack, Penn State has four or so non-freshman safeties that the staff believes are starting-caliber talents, but it’s also possible Mack could end up being a factor on special teams and as a returner.
“Mack was a team captain for Florida power St. Thomas Aquinas the last two years and was also a Florida State champion in track in five different events.
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“Penn State views him as a safety who ‘can cover a lot of ground with bad intentions’ and as someone who ‘will help and play a lot of special teams also.'”
Other freshmen who have impressed so far
Just last week, Blue White Illustrated’s Sean Fitz posted an update on a few of Penn State’s freshmen who have impressed the staff this summer.
If you’d like to read the full report, subscribers can read it in its entirety here. However, one of those players who’s stood out is running back Cameron Wallace, who just enrolled in May.
“Bridging the gap between a class that included Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen and one that contains Quinton Martin is a tough ask of a running back, but Penn State has been pleasantly surprised with Georgia native Cam Wallace so far,” Fitz wrote.
“The 5-foot-9, 185-pound freshman came in with a more college-ready build than classmate London Montgomery. He’s shown good hands and ball skills in voluntary workouts so far. In the weight room, he’s been explosive. He also took on No. 26, which is quite a statement from a freshman back. It’s still too early to say whether or not he’ll have a role this season, but Penn State seems pleased with his first impression.”
