Where is Penn State football in the post-spring top-25 rankings?
Penn State football is coming off a 7-6 2021 slate that makes it 11-11 overall over the last two seasons.
That information leads to an easy question: Are the Nittany Lions still viewed as one of the 25 best teams in the country coming out of spring practice in 2022?
Penn State has Sean Clifford back for another season. It also has plenty to be excited about at running back and receiver, and there are returners on defense that should make a big impact.
Then, there are also the additions of receiver Mitchell Tinsley, interior lineman Hunter Nourzad, and defensive end Demeioun Robinson.
But, on the flip side, depth is an issue at a couple of spots. The offensive line is light on numbers. That’s the case at linebacker, as well.
Put it all together, and it makes the ninth version of head coach James Franklin’s Lions a tough team to figure out four months before kickoff. The same can surely be said for many teams across college football. But, that’s never stopped the post-spring top-25 rankings from coming out as spring turns to summer.
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Here’s where Penn State stands in the first two to hit the web with spring ball now complete.
USA Today has the Lions inside of the top-20
We start our rundown with Erick Smith’s rankings over at USA Today. He slots Penn State at No. 20.
“An 11-11 record in the past two seasons has killed much of the momentum James Franklin had generated with the Nittany Lions,” Smith writes. “Too many losses in close games, mostly due to an inconsistent running game, has created an urgency to turn things around. The return of Sean Clifford brings good in the way of veteran guidance at quarterback, but he is also limits how dynamic the offense can be.
“Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith provide two quality wide receivers who need to get the ball more often. There has to be better play on the offensive line to bring more balance. The defense took several hits at all three levels. New coordinator Manny Diaz will have the benefit of lineman PJ Mustipher and defensive backs Joey Porter Jr. and Ji’Ayir Brown to build with.”
CBS Sports says Penn State just makes the cut
Over at CBS Sports, longtime national college football writer Dennis Dodd has the Lions just inside the top-25 at No. 24. It’s the same place he had them a few months ago.
“The season went south when QB Sean Clifford went down against Iowa,” Dodd writes.
“Clifford is back which might be the difference in the always-tough Big Ten East. James Franklin — 11-11 the last two seasons — has security with a new 10-year contract.”
