Penn State Football

Penn State's football field is reportedly going to have a different name.

On Monday, Joe Lister of Onward State reported the school's Board of Trustees confirmed in a 22-8 vote that it will rename the field "West Show Field at Beaver Stadium" after West Shore Home provided a $50 million gift.

The name will remain in place through 2039 as West Shore Home pays $10 million over the next 10 years and the remaining $40 million over the next 50 years. Lister noted athletic director Pat Kraft said the contract is frontloaded to help pay for Beaver Stadium's $700 million renovation project.

Max Ralph of Penn Live noted the board's committee on finance and investment presented the motion to the entire board after passing it by its own 7-2 vote. However, there was a debate that lasted approximately one hour and largely centered around a proposition to name the field after former head coach Joe Paterno.

Ultimately, the board decided against the Paterno name and approved the motion with the 22-8 vote.

Paterno coached Penn State for 46 years starting in 1966 but was fired in 2011 because of his role in the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

As for the new deal, Ralph reported it is the second-largest cash gift in Penn State history and continues an already established partnership with West Shore Home. Penn State graduate B.J. Werzyn owns West Shore Home and has frequently donated to his alma mater in the past.

It provides another source for funding for the Beaver Stadium renovation project that is scheduled to finish before the start of the 2027 football campaign. It also comes during the name, image and likeness era of college football and with revenue sharing perhaps around the corner.

Other programs such as North Carolina, Wisconsin and Purdue have entered field-naming deals in the past. Perhaps most notably, reigning national champion Ohio State agreed to put logos saying "Safelite Field" on the field at Ohio Stadium in 2022 after entering a sponsorship deal.

The changes come as Penn State eyes a potential national championship run of its own in 2025.

The Nittany Lions fell just short last season with a loss to Notre Dame in the College Football semifinal and returned a number of key players, including quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton.

Marquee games against Ohio State and Oregon stand out, but there is enough talent in place to be among the best teams in the nation once again. And that will only provide a bigger spotlight for its new on-field naming rights.

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles agreed to a contract with Penn State to take the same position on the Nittany Lions coaching staff, the school announced on Monday.

Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger first reported the agreement on Sunday.

Pete Thamel of ESPN reported Sunday that they agreed to a three-year deal that will average $3.1 million annually.

That's nearly $1 million more than the 59-year-old was getting from the Buckeyes. He joined OSU in 2022 and started with a base salary of $1.9 million, which rose to $2.2 million this past season.

The Columbus Dispatch's Bill Rabinowitz reported Saturday that Ohio State was prepared to give Knowles a bump in pay to $2.75 million.

Signing the reported deal would've made him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football, vaulting ahead of Michigan's Wink Martindale. Instead, it appears he's taking an even bigger payday to bolt for a conference rival.

Leaving for another Big Ten school would be bad enough in the eyes of Buckeyes fans. This news is also breaking on the same day Ohio State is staging a celebration at Ohio Stadium to honor its national title triumph over Notre Dame. It doesn't look like Knowles in attendance as the final details of his negotiations with Penn State are coming together.

Penn State wasn't the only school to pursue Knowles. ESPN's Adam Rittenberg noted Oklahoma and Notre Dame also coveted him as his stock skyrocketed thanks to the success of the Ohio State defense.

The Buckeyes allowed the fewest points (12.9) and yards (254.6) per game in the FBS. During the College Football Playoff, they successfully stifled Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame in succession. The Longhorns were the only one from the group to finish with 300 or more yards of offense.

One way or another, Knowles was going to cash in.

Beyond the salary on offer, he may have selected the Nittany Lions because the Philadelphia native gets to return to his home state. He might relish the challenge of helping Penn State overcome an opponent that has been a consistent thorn in its side as well.

Head coach James Franklin has dropped eight straight to Ohio State, which symbolizes a larger trend during his tenure. Already regarded as a defensive guru, Knowles will boost his reputation further if he can help Penn State flip the current head-to-head dynamic.

HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 209

POSITIVES

— Athlete with good overall build, thick lower half and above average length. Has the frame to hold up to the physical demands at the next level.

— Versatility to play at multiple levels of the defense. Aggressive in the blitz game and comes downhill quickly.

— High football IQ player who puts himself in position to make plays.

NEGATIVES

— Willing tackler but inconsistent tackling security due to poor angles and can overrun ball-carriers at times.

— Lacks ideal burst, explosion, and limited top end speed. Fluid athlete but lacks elite movement skills. Can get heavy footed in space, especially when redirecting at the last second.

— Below average awareness in underneath coverage. Stares at quarterback with limited feel for threats.

2024 STATISTICS

— 16 Games, 98 Tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 6 PBU, 3 INT, 1 TD

NOTES

— Games Started: 29

— 4-Star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

—2024: 2nd Team All-Big Ten

OVERALL

Jaylen Reed is a versatile safety prospect from Penn State with an impressive frame and physical build. His thick lower half and above-average length give him the physical tools to handle the demands of the NFL, particularly in roles closer to the line of scrimmage. Reed's high football IQ and aggressive mindset make him a solid contributor, particularly in the run game and blitzing situations, where his natural instincts help him make plays.

Reed is a willing tackler who thrives in the box, showing an aggressive approach to run support. He comes downhill with urgency and is effective at closing the gap on ball-carriers. His physicality, however, doesn't always translate to consistent tackling security. Reed tends to wrap high and wrestle with ball-carriers, leading to missed tackles. Additionally, he can overrun plays due to poor angles, and his preference to run around blockers instead of engaging them directly can leave him out of position. While not a dominant enforcer, Reed's ability to disrupt plays near the line of scrimmage gives him value in specific run-stopping roles.

Reed is primarily a zone defender, where his football IQ and instincts allow him to react to plays and put himself in a position to make stops. He displays aggression in coverage, looking to jump routes and break on the ball, though this tendency can lead to lapses in positioning and open opportunities for opposing offenses. Reed's movement skills are adequate but not elite; he lacks the burst and top-end speed to recover against faster players consistently. His fluidity in space is hampered by occasional heavy-footedness, particularly when redirecting, which limits his ability to cover quick-twitch receivers or adjust in space. Reed's below-average awareness in underneath coverage also hinders his ability to track threats effectively, as he tends to focus on the quarterback rather than scanning the field.

Jaylen Reed projects as a developmental prospect with the potential to carve out a role as a box safety or special teams contributor. While his physical tools and IQ are assets, his inconsistencies in tackling, limited range, and average movement skills suggest a more specialized role early in his career. If deployed close to the line of scrimmage in a scheme that minimizes his coverage liabilities, Reed has the potential to develop into a reliable rotational player.

GRADE: 6.2 (Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 197

POSITION RANK: S18

PRO COMPARISON: Jaquan Johnson

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

As the 2025 NFL draft draws nearer, many expect the Tennessee Titans to use the No. 1 overall pick on a quarterback like Colorado's Shedeur Sanders or Miami's Cam Ward. However, another talent prospect made it clear that he believes he should be the top pick.

Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter took to social media to declare that he views himself as the rightful No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft class:

The 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Carter is ranked as the No. 10 overall player and No. 1 edge rusher in the B/R NFL Scouting Department's latest 2025 draft big board. He's projected to land with the New York Jets at the No. 7 pick in the most recent mock draft.

Despite making the switch from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher this season, he still excelled for the Nittany Lions and finished with career highs of 68 total tackles and 12.0 sacks while also adding four passes defended and two forced fumbles. B/R NFL scout Matt Holder described him as "an elite athlete, which gives him a high ceiling as a pass-rusher at the next level."

"His get-off is very impressive as he explodes off the line of scrimmage and can win with speed around the edge when times up the snap," Holder added. "Also, he's shown a decent dip-rip move and the potential to develop a stick move as an inside counter with his movement skills."

Carter has over four months to try to convince the Titans that he's worthy of the No. 1 pick when the 2025 draft commences on April 24. However, it would be a massive surprise if Tennessee passed up the opportunity to select a franchise quarterback, given the team's uncertainty at the position.

The last time the Titans drafted in the top five, they used the No. 5 pick to select wide receiver Corey Davis, who lasted just four years with the team before leaving as a free agent. Tennessee will be hoping to get it right this time around and add a cornerstone to build around for years to come, and Carter will have to work hard to prove to the team that he's the right choice.

Penn State junior running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton announced Monday that they will forego the NFL draft and return to the Nittany Lions next season.

"We still have goals we want to reach as a team, and I want to be alongside my teammates as we reach those goals," Singleton wrote in his announcement.

Junior quarterback Drew Allen is also planning to return next season for his senior year after previously expressing a desire to keep an "open mind" based on NFL feedback, per The Athletic's Dane Brugler.

Meanwhile, star tight end Tyler Warren announced in an Instagram post he will enter the NFL draft.

Warren is considered the No. 14 player overall by Bleacher Report's Scouting Department after totaling 104 catches for 1,233 yards and eight receiving touchdowns in 2024.

Penn State will clearly have plenty of talent returning, however, including the two elite running backs.

"Going to work with coach Seider and the Lawnboyz every day is something I will cherish forever," Allen wrote. "Penn State has been an extraordinary experience for me... it's clear that we still have a lot more to accomplish."

The return of Singleton comes as a surprise, as he was projected as the No. 50 player in the 2025 NFL Draft and No. 5 running back, according to Bleacher Report.

Allen and Singleton teamed up as one of college football's best rushing duos on the 13-3 semifinal appearance Nittany Lions. Allen rushed for 1,108 yards with eight touchdowns on 220 carries. Singleton rushed for 1,099 yards with 12 touchdowns on 172 carries, ranking fourth in the Big Ten with 6.4 yards per carry.

The two combined for 166 rushing yards in their 27-24 Orange Bowl loss to Notre Dame, with Singleton scoring three touchdowns.

Despite Allar's commitment to return to Penn State prior to the Orange Bowl loss, several NFL general managers believed that he could have changed his mind if he had produced a strong showing, per Brugler.

In addition, Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski believed that Allen could have been the third-ranked quarterback behind Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward, calling him a "potential first-round pick."

However, Allar's final game was a dud, as he produced 135 yards, zero touchdowns, one interception and one fumble on a 52 percent completion rate.

The Nittany Lions will have a talented and experienced backfield heading into next season with the return of Allen, Singleton, and Allar.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar made a costly mistake late in the Nittany Lions' loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Thursday.

With just over 30 seconds to play, Allar threw an interception in Penn State territory, setting up a game-winning field goal for the Fighting Irish a few plays later.

After the game, Allar explained the play, telling reporters his first two reads were covered and he "should have just thrown it away." Allar also said he tried to throw that ball at Omari Evans' feet, but it instead ended up in the hands of Notre Dame's Christian Gray.

"I was going through my progression. Just trying to (throw) it at his feet," Allar told reporters. "Should have thrown it away. Didn't execute what I was trying to do. ... I'll do everything in my power to grow from it."

While Allar took full responsibility for the mistake, Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said the quarterback is not to blame for the loss.

He's gonna put that on himself, and he shouldn't have to. I got to be better for him and our offense to make sure that whatever we're doing, whatever play we're calling, that our people have their chance to separate and put him in a position where he can feel more comfortable. I simply say to him, it ain't you. It's not on you. You don't need to take that on your shoulders and feel the blame for that. You will win and you will lose as a group, as a football team. It's never one play. Everyone's going to point the finger at that one. I say I love you, because I do.

In a game as close as Thursday's, it will be impossible for Allar not to shoulder the blame for the loss. But as many teams have learned in the past, a game never comes down to just one play.

The junior quarterback will now head into the offseason looking to improve his game and perhaps avenge Thursday's loss next year if he decides to return for his senior season.

Penn State is now 4-20 against Top 10 opponents under head coach James Franklin after the Nittany Lions fell 27-24 to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Thursday at the Orange Bowl.

The Nittany Lions rolled into the semifinals after a 38-10 win over SMU and a 31-14 victory against Boise State. PSU also led Notre Dame 24-17 after Nick Singleton's third rushing touchdown with 4:38 remaining in regulation.

However, Notre Dame won thanks to three huge plays: Jaden Greathouse's 54-yard touchdown catch, Christian Grey's interception with 42 seconds left and Mitch Jeter's clutch, game-winning 41-yard field goal.

And with that, Penn State lost yet another big game in the Franklin era, a fact that didn't go unnoticed among fans and analysts alike.

Penn State is 101-42 under Franklin with a 64-33 Big Ten record. The Nittany Lions will finish this season with their fifth Top 10 finish in the Associated Press poll since 2016. This year also marked Penn State's third straight season with 10 or more wins.

But PSU simply can't win the big game in this era, for whatever reason. This year, Penn State faced Ohio State at home, but the offense fell short in a 20-13 home loss.

PSU got into the Big Ten Championship Game against Oregon, but the Ducks offense dominated the Nittany Lion defense in a 45-37 win.

The Nittany Lions outscored their first two CFP opponents 69-24 and was in position to win Thursday, but Penn State stumbled down the stretch.

Now the Nittany Lions go into a long offseason after a bitterly disappointing loss, hoping to finally find the answers toward winning the team's first national title since 1986.

Late mistakes from Penn State quarterback Drew Allar and questionable decisions from head coach James Franklin led to Notre Dame winning the Orange Bowl 27-24 on a last-second field goal on Thursday to advance to the national championship.

Allar had just 140 passing yards and one consequential interception in the loss.

A defensive battle for most of the game, Notre Dame and Penn State went into the fourth quarter tied at 10 apiece. The Fighting Irish got an edge early in the final quarter when Jeremiyah Love muscled in a touchdown on the goal line to cap off a 72-yard drive.

But Penn State answered right back, marching 75 yards down the field and scoring on a seven-yard run from Nicholas Singleton.

The momentum stayed on the Nittany Lions' side as Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard threw an interception in Fighting Irish territory on the following drive. Penn State then appeared to have thrown an interception of its own, but a pass interference call gave the Nittany Lions another chance to score. They capitalized as Singleton found the endzone again to make it 24-17.

Penn State's lead only lasted momentarily as Notre Dame answered with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Leonard to Jaden Greathouse to even things up.

After both teams had empty drives, Penn State had the ball with less than a minute to play and a chance to win. The Nittany Lions squandered that chance, though, as Allar threw an interception and gave the Fighting Irish one last chance to win it in regulation.

Notre Dame made the most of that chance as Mitch Jeter hit a 41-yard field goal with just seconds left. Penn State's miracle game-winner attempt failed as time expired.

After the loss for Penn State, fans blasted Allar and Franklin for coming up short in crunch time.

Franklin and Penn State now have a long offseason ahead of them trying to figure out what they need to do to finally contend for a championship. Notre Dame, on the other hand, will celebrate the win and prepare for a national championship game against either Ohio State or Texas.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has announced his intention to return to school in 2025, but NFL scouts still have him on their radar if he changes his mind and goes pro, per ESPN's Field Yates.

Allar is set to lead Penn State into the Orange Bowl on Thursday in a College Football Playoff semifinal matchup against Notre Dame in Miami.

Multiple NFL general managers think Allar could change his mind if he has a strong CFP run, per Dane Brugler of The Athletic.

Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report believes that Allar would be the third-ranked quarterback in this year's draft behind Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward. He also called Allar "a potential first-round pick."

In his second full season as Penn State's starter, Allar has completed 67.4 percent of his passes for 3,192 yards (8.6 YPA), 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He's also rushed for 285 yards and six touchdowns.

A glance at the 2025 NFL draft order reveals a host of quarterback-needy teams. The Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints, all of whom pick in the top nine, could be going quarterback at some point in the draft.

Simply put, if Allar excels against Notre Dame and puts on even more good tape against Ohio State or Texas inn the CFP final, then it's conceivable to see him make the leap and take advantage of a high-rising draft stock. The need is too great at the top of the draft for teams to ignore him, and he could easily be considered QB3 in this year's class.

As of now, though, Allar is Penn State's quarterback for 2025. But first, he's trying to lead the Nittany Lions to their first national title since 1986.