Players to Watch at Penn State's Blue-White Game

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Penn State’s young players often make the biggest noise at the annual Blue-White spring football game, and this year should follow the same track. The Nittany Lions will introduce a host of redshirt and true freshmen to Penn State fans on Saturday at Beaver Stadium.

With the qualifier that Saturday’s results won’t predict future performance, here are some of the young players and newcomers to watch at Penn State’s Blue-White Game.

Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer: The true freshman enrolled early and jumped quickly into a larger role with redshirt freshman Jaxon Smolik reportedly injured. Grunkemeyer should get plenty of snaps behind Drew Allar and Beau Pribula in coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s new offense.

Running back Quinton Martin Jr.: Another true freshman, Martin is an intriguing player who could carve out a niche role as the No. 3 back in Penn State’s offense. He’ll certainly challenge redshirt freshmen Cal Wallace and London Montgomery, neither of whom played last year.

Tight end Andrew Rappleyea: With Theo Johnson off to the NFL, the Lions need a third player in this group to join Tyler Warren and Khalil Dinkins. Rappleyea, a redshirt freshman from Massachusetts, has drawn comparisons to Mike Gesicki.

Offensive tackle J’ven Williams: The redshirt freshman roomed with Olu Fashanu on road trips last season, asked the All-American a ton of questions and even switched to Fashanu’s No. 74 this year. Williams had the pedigree coming out of high school. Now he has a chance to earn playing time behind, or with, Drew Shelton.

Offensive lineman Cooper Cousins: Strength coach Chuck Losey  suggested that the 6-6, 319-pound lineman could make an impact as a true freshman. Cousins might even challenge Nick Dawkins for the starting center position at some point this season.

Linebacker Kaveion Keys: The Lions have several young linebackers ready to break out, notably Keys and Ta’Mere Robinson. Keys, a 6-2 redshirt freshman who played in two games last season, is one who could make plays in Tom Allen’s defense.

Safety DaKaari Nelson: Penn State is rich at safety, with both starters (Jaylen Reed and KJ Winston) returning along with Zakee Wheatley. Nelson, though, is an intriguing redshirt freshman at 6-3, 225 pounds who could deploy that size to the defense’s advantage.

Cornerback A.J. Harris: The sophomore cornerback who transferred from Georgia is the youngest player of Penn State’s group of portal players. However, he’s versatile. Coach James Franklin has said Harris could play all five secondary positions (nickel back included) and has been “super aggressive” in spring drills.

Defensive end Jameial Lyons: The Lions need depth behind Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton on the edge. Lyons, who played in four games as a true freshman last season, is a key player in that group.