Penn State head coach Matt Campbell has been very impressed with his team this camp from nearly every angle and every position.
Penn State head coach Matt Campbell certainly has a way with words. He is very long-winded in nearly every answer, but everything that he says is thoughtful, meaningful, and valuable.
Earlier this week, Campbell was asked who had impressed him so far, and this is every single name that was mentioned:
- QB Rocco Becht
- QB Alex Manske
- OL Malachi Goodman
- OL Trevor Buhr
- OL Anthony Donkoh
- TE Benjamin Brahmer
- TE Andrew Rappleyea
- RB James Peoples
- RB Quinton Martin Jr.
- RB Carson Hansen
- WR Chase Sowell
- WR Brett Eskildsen
- WR Koby Howard
- DB Audavion Collins
- DB Daryus Dixson
- DT Keanu Williams
- DT Siale Taupaki
- DE Max Granville
- DE Caleb Bacon
- DE Ikenna Ezeogu
- LB Cam Smith
- LB Cael Brezina
- DB Jamison Patton
- DB Jeremiah Cooper
- DB Zion Tracy
- DB Josiah Zayas
Quick shoutout to Zach Seyko of LockedOn Nittany Lions for compiling the entire list of players. Find his work here.
So, the question here is, out of all of the names that Campbell mentioned in his media availability, who are you most excited to see in the Blue and White next year?
For me, it's going to be two of the most important players on the offensive side of the football, tight end Ben Brahmer and running back James Peoples.
Both of these players are transfers to the new-look Nittany Lions program. Brahmer comes from Iowa State, where he played under Campbell for his entire career up to this point. He is a fascinating prospect because he has serious potential to be the next great tight end in football.
He stands at a towering 6'6" but moves so well for his size. Over three seasons at Iowa State, he has yet to eclipse 1,000 career yards, but he is coming off his best season last year. He logged 37 catches for 446 yards and six touchdowns. He will be a force to be reckoned with next year.
In the backfield, Peoples comes to Happy Valley after giving his best at Ohio State to no avail. After having a ton of hype surrounding him, he just never panned out in Columbus and was passed over.
He comes to Penn State with absolutely elite traits from the backfield. He is fast, incredibly quick, agile, and as physically tough as they come. He can be a weapon in the run game and is an awesome changeup in the pass game.
Those two transfers are going to be the engine for the Penn State offense if they want to make a run through the season.
