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Penn State Football: 3 storylines to follow this fall

By Shane Lunnen

STATE COLLEGE, PA - DECEMBER 12: Penn State Nittany Lions players huddle before the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - DECEMBER 12: Penn State Nittany Lions players huddle before the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Penn State football is heading into 2021 just itching to prove the 2020 season was an anomaly. What storylines should fans follow heading into fall camp?

Penn State football took a step back in the 2020 season, finishing 4-5. This was unexpected for fans after the Nittany Lions had three 11-win seasons in the four preceding 2020.

Expectations are high once again in Happy Valley as they usually are. While most do not predict the Nittany Lions will dethrone Ohio State from their perch atop the Big Ten conference, many are expecting a much improved 2021 team. Here are three storylines Penn State fans should keep an eye on heading into fall camp and into this season.

3. Transfer additions

The transfer portal comings and goings have been very active this offseason and Penn State has been a significant participant. The Nittany Lions lost nine players so far with four more still looking for a new destination.  However, they did add six players and all should play some role this season.

Perhaps the biggest addition for a position of need is defensive end Arnold Ebiketie. With Jayson Oweh and Shaka Toney gone to the NFL, the end position was in need of a boost.

Enter Ebiketie from Temple. Last year for the Owls he had 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and three forced fumbles including returning one for a touchdown. Ebiketie has been on campus since January and looks to shore up one of the starting defensive end positions in camp.

Also along the defensive front is Derrick Tangelo. The former Duke defensive tackle should be a great pairing alongside the lone returning starter on the front four in PJ Mustipher.

On the offensive side of the ball, keep an eye on Eric Wilson and John Lovett. Wilson, a transfer from Harvard, will look to be one of the two starting guards as both spots do not have a returning starter.

For Lovett, he joins a crowded running back room but has the most experience from his days at Baylor. He could be the key for the Nittany Lions to regain their explosiveness out of the backfield.

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