This is the sixth time we are taking a look at Northwestern Football’s 2025 opponents in our “Know Your Opponent” series. The team in question: Penn State. After falling short to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff Semifinals, the Nittany Lions are back and poised to go even further this season. The ‘Cats head to Happy Valley after a four-game home stand to try and pull off the massive upset.
The Basics
Returning Production: 65% overall (76% offense, 53% defense); 25th in FBS
2024 Record: 13-3 (8-1 B1G)
Head Coach: James Franklin (12th season)
The Stats
2025 SP+ Overall: 3rd
2025 SP+ Offense: 3rd
2025 SP+ Defense: 6th
2025 SP+ Special Teams: 58th
2024 Capsule
After the 2023 season, there was still much to be desired from James Franklin’s squad. There was no signature moment in 2023 for Penn State despite a 10-2 record. However, the Nittany Lions finally showed that they’re right there after the 2024 season. The season started off with a 7-0 record before losing at home to Ohio State by seven. Penn State would then go on and win its next four straight, making the Big Ten Championship Game and winning 11 games in the regular season for the first time since 2008.
The Nittany Lions would fall in that Big Ten Championship Game to the Oregon Ducks 45-37, but still were the No. 6 seed in the College Football Playoff. They would cruise past SMU and make a statement against Boise State before losing in the semifinals to Notre Dame by just three points. Despite the heartbreaking loss and it being Penn State’s 13th consecutive time falling to an AP top-five opponent, this season was different. The Nittany Lions were a drive away from being in that national championship game. This season had many defining moments, including Tyler Warren snapping the ball, running downfield and catching a touchdown pass on the same play, Luke Reynolds’ fake punt conversion to help hold on against Minnesota, and Beau Pribula coming in mid-game to hold on and seal the victory against Wisconsin. The list goes on and on for this Penn State squad. It’s set up to succeed in 2025.
Offensive Overview
Penn State’s offense is projected to be a top unit in the country. The most important returnee is star quarterback Drew Allar. After an underwhelming 2023 campaign, Allar started to look like one of those dudes in 2024. He threw for 3,327 yards (17th in FBS) and 24 touchdowns to just eight interceptions plus another 446 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. It did help that Allar was throwing to Warren (Penn State’s only 1,000 yard receiver), but he is on to bigger things after being drafted in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In terms of other top receiving options, wide receivers Harrison Wallace III and Omari Evans are both gone, but Liam Clifford returns after a 286 yard season. Clifford, however, will likely be the fourth wide receiver on this Nittany Lion team as Trebor Peña comes in from Syracuse, Kyron Hudson from USC and Devonte Ross from Troy. These three are looking to be go-to’s for Allar after an underwhelming season from the wide receiver position.
Yes, Warren is in the NFL now. Even so, Penn State still has one of the best tight end rooms in the country. Khalil Dinkins showed he can be a reliable pass catcher and an incredibly poised blocker. Luke Reynolds made arguably the play of the season for the Nittany Lions on the fake punt against Minnesota as he looks to expand his role in the offense entering his sophomore season. Andrew Olesh is entering his first year at Penn State but could see some rotational playing time as well with his high ceiling.
This all sounds great, but the main course and dessert on this team is the running back duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton paired with arguably the best offensive line in the nation. Allen and Singleton each rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2024 and both chose to forgo the 2025 NFL Draft to make one more run for a National Championship. Both also contributed in the receiving game, with over 350 yards from Singleton and over 150 from Allen. When talking about the best running backs in the country, these two names get brought up early and often. But what makes their job even easier is the heart and soul of this Nittany Lion offense: the trenches. In Penn State’s four postseason games (Big Ten Championship included here), the O-line paved the way for 901 rushing yards and almost six yards per carry. Four starters from last season return for coach Phil Trautwein plus the addition of former top-50 recruit Cooper Cousins to slot in at right guard where Sal Wormley played last season. Not just this, but the line has depth as well and can compete with the top teams in the country in terms of this position group.
Defensive Overview
First to just point out the obvious, Abdul Carter is now in the NFL after being arguably the best pass rusher in all of college football and maybe the best to ever wear the STIX in Happy Valley. Yes, the Penn State defensive line might not be as strong as it was in 2024, but the top-end talent is still very much there whereas the depth is more in question. Zane Durant may very well be the top defensive tackle in the country. Standing at 6-foot-1, weighing 294 pounds, Durant is a monster of a man that can disrupt some of the best offensive lines in the country with ease. The depth behind him though is a little bit uncertain. In terms of the defensive ends and edge rushers, the Nittany Lions should be very pleased that Dani Dennis-Sutton decided to skip the draft and play another year in State College after an injury-plagued 8.5 sack season. Down the stretch of the season, he caught fire and couldn’t be stopped. Zuriah Fisher has also shown that he can be unblockable, but he needs to stay healthy to show his full potential. True freshman Chaz Coleman has off-the-charts athleticism and may be too intriguing of a player to keep off the field. Lastly, LaVar Arrington II is the next man up wearing the coveted No. 11 at Penn State, following in his father’s footsteps (listed as outside linebacker).
The linebacking corps on this defense is also a force to be reckoned with. Tony Rojas was hindered by injuries throughout the 2024 season but could be one of the top linebackers in the country if the missed tackles become a thing of the past. Former walk-on Dom DeLuca has an outstanding nose for the football and is always in the right place at the right time to make a play. Amare Campbell joins this group from UNC as one of the most highly touted at his position in the transfer portal. The depth in this linebacking room is also all-around solid with a lot of upside in its younger players.
The biggest strength of this Penn State defense, however, is its secondary. Starting at safety, Zakee Wheatley is the leader of this group after coming back for one last year in Happy Valley. He was outstanding down the stretch, including a 16 tackle performance with a sack and an interception against Notre Dame. Dejuan Lane got solid playing time as a true freshman and will be competing for that starting spot next to Wheatley. King Mack is back at PSU after a year at Alabama and will also see plenty of action. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has also praised Vaboue Toure, who will likely see playing time as well.
Now onto the cornerbacks. A.J. Harris. A lockdown corner with true All-American hype who could be a first round pick in next year’s NFL Draft. Harris impressed in his first year with the Nittany Lions after spending his freshman season at Georgia. In 2024, Harris was a reliable lockdown defender, racking up 54 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, one interception and five pass breakups. Audavion Collins also returns after proving he is more than ready to be a reliable defensive back. Elliott Washington has been highly praised all offseason and is expected to take a massive leap in 2025. Zion Tracy also returns after he showed his incredible playmaking abilities while also being a trusted defender in man coverage. You don’t want to mess with this defense.
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