Penn State Football: 5 breakout freshmen to watch in 2018
By Zach Bigalke
Penn State football will attempt another run at the Big Ten title in 2018. Here are five freshmen who could make an instant impact for the Nittany Lions.
In 2017, Penn State was unable to successfully defend its Big Ten title. But the Nittany Lions still put together an 11-2 season that culminated in a New Year’s Six bowl victory. James Franklin‘s team took down Washington in the Fiesta Bowl, giving Penn State its first bowl victory since 2015.
As they enter Franklin’s fifth season at the helm, Penn State has emerged as a perennial contender for the Big Ten and a spot in a major bowl game. Because college football depends on a constant stream of young talent, new stars must emerge each season. To maintain their position in the Big Ten East, then, the Nittany Lions need to continually replenish and improve the talent on the roster.
James Franklin sees some critical parts from the past few championship contenders leaving State College after the 2017 campaign. The Beaver Stadium faithful will need to learn a new set of names, an annual summer tradition ripe with hope for future potential. With that in mind, here are five freshmen who could immediately make a difference in Happy Valley this season.