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Big Ten Football: Every team’s most important newcomer in 2021

By Dante Pryor

Dec 19, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day lifts the Big 10 Conference championship trophy as running back Trey Sermon (right) reacts after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day lifts the Big 10 Conference championship trophy as running back Trey Sermon (right) reacts after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

Penn State Nittany Lions, 4-5

Between COVID and some key opt-outs, it is difficult to quantify what the Penn State season meant in the continuum of the James Franklin era of Nittany Lions football. The Lions lost their first five games (two by one possession) to win their last four.

Penn State does return a lot of their depth and production from last season, so it is not going to be easy to get snaps from veterans this season

There are some spots — defensive and offensive line — that are thin coming into the season. Here are some players that could get some snaps this fall.

  • Arnold Ebiketie (transfer), DE: Ebiketie hopes to do at Penn State what Quincy Roche did at Miami. Ebiketie was productive in six games last season for the Owls registering 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. As a grad transfer, the Maryland native hopes to improve his draft stock and bolster a pass rush without either Miach Parsons or Shaka Toney.
  • Eric Wilson (transfer) OG: If you get a degree from Harvard, you have to be a cerebral player, right? Wilson transfers from Havard and gives the Nittany Lions some needed depth in the interior of their offensive line. Wilson will challenge for snaps but gives the Lions versatility as a plug-and-play backup anywhere on the offensive line as well.
  • Kalen King CB: The attribute that sticks out immediately about King is his polish. The Michigan native is not physically imposing but has good measurables. However, King is technically sound and mature. James Franklin called King “the most advanced freshman” he’s had at Penn State. King is going to challenge for snaps this fall despite a deep defensive back room.
  • Lonnie White WR: The only thing stopping White from starting game one is he is not enrolled yet. If White were at spring practice, he’d be a lock to start. Outside of Jahan Dotson, there was not much to be excited about from Penn State’s perimeter receivers. White gives Penn State an athletic playmaker they sorely need. Though White needs to be more aggressive with the ball in the air and use his length better, he instantly upgrades the receiver room.
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