Penn State Football: 5 breakout candidates to watch in spring 2018

Penn State football needs to replace several key players for the 2018 season. Here are five guys who could break out for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State will enter the 2018 season looking to build upon their success of the last two seasons. The Nittany Lions will be without several key contributors next year, but with their recent recruiting successes, it should make the coaches job of finding replacements easier.

James Franklin’s last four recruiting cycles have ended in top 20 classes, including landing the Lion’s best class ever this year with a fifth best class overall. Not only has Franklin sustained success on the recruiting trail, but he and his staff are doing a great job of developing the players, leading to the back-to-back 11-win seasons.

The Nittany Lions’ annual Blue-White game is Saturday April 21st. As the final spring practices wind down, here is a look at five players with breakout potential.

Defensive end Shaka Toney was one of 17 freshmen to make appearances during Penn State’s 2017 season. He should earn significantly more playing time this upcoming year.

Toney appeared in 12 games last season. He tallied 18 total tackles, four sacks and two forced fumbles. Unfortunately he was suspended for the first half against Washington in the Fiesta Bowl for unknown reasons and although he played in the second half, he recorded no stats. He did earn All-Freshman honors from BTN.com.

Toney will be in the mix with a lot of depth along the Nittany Lion front four. The six-foot-three kid out of Philadelphia has a strong motor and a fast first step off the snap. Have a good feeling about him being a great edge rusher and 2018 is going to be the year we hear his name called a lot.