Despite a strong 2023 season, Penn State football faced setbacks against conference rivals Ohio State and Michigan, finishing with a 10-3 record. In their quest for a Big Ten Championship, the Nittany Lions are actively addressing their needs through the transfer portal and recruiting.
Penn State boasts one of the Big Ten’s top returning quarterbacks, Drew Allar, who delivered an impressive 2,631 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and only two interceptions in 2023. To enhance Allar’s arsenal, the team secured wide receiver Julian Fleming from Ohio State via the transfer portal. Fleming, a former blue-chip recruit and highly sought-after prospect, looks to shine as the primary target for Allar in State College. With one year of eligibility remaining, Fleming aims to make a significant impact after an underwhelming stint in Columbus.
The Big Ten landscape is evolving with the addition of USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon, making the competition fierce. Penn State sees the upcoming season as a prime opportunity to assert its position at the top of the conference. Head coach James Franklin, under scrutiny in recent years, aims to prove his coaching prowess and reestablish Penn State’s dominance in the Big Ten.
The Nittany Lions kick off the 2024 season with a non-conference road game against West Virginia on August 31, followed by matchups against Bowling Green and Kent State before diving into Big Ten conference play against Illinois on September 28.