Penn State football will end the spring portion of its most anticipated, high-expectation season-to-come on Saturday in the construction zone known as West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium.
There are a lot of moving parts for this top-five football program heading into this Blue-White Game.
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How many of the Nittany Lions‘ core group of national championship-hopeful leaders will even be in action? Injuries, caution (established upperclassmen may sit out Blue-White day) and the transfer portal, which closes 12 hours before the scrimmage, expect to make this a showcase for the young and unproven.
The on-field festivities also will be shorter than usual (no halftime, a running clock) and may, at times, resemble more drill work than an actual game. And the atmosphere may seem surreal with the entire West side of the stadium off-limits because of the $700 million renovation project.
Still, there will be plenty to watch and evaluate Saturday, just with a different twist. Here are five storylines to follow:
Penn State freshman wide receiver Tyseer Denmark (4) hauls in his first career reception, a 13-yard catch, in the second half of an NCAA football game against Kent State, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa.
Penn State football: Which wide receivers look the part in 2025?
The wide receivers, who struggled the past couple of seasons, are still the biggest question of this team.
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Will anyone look the part of a Big Ten starter now?
All eyes will be on the newest additions first, the transfers (Devonte Ross, Kyron Hudson) and the true freshmen (Koby Howard, Matthew Outten, Lyrick Samuel). It certainly will be a talking point if Ross, for example, shows impressive speed and moves after the catch, reminiscent of former Lions KJ Hamler, no matter that it’s coming against teammates and career-backups.
There are also guys who hope to break through after a redshirt season (Tyseer Denmark, Josiah Brown) or an injury (Kaden Saunders, Peter Gonzalez) or, simply enough, as a senior leader (Liam Clifford).
The backup quarterback: Ethan Grunkemeyer vs. Jaxon Smolik
Quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien talks with QBs Drew Allar, right, and Ethan Grunkemeyer, left, during Penn State’s Pro Day in Holuba Hall on March 28, 2025, in State College.
The Lions need a competent, ready-to-play backup quarterback in case of an injury to potential first-round NFL Draft pick Drew Allar.
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Saturday should showcase the two main contenders − redshirt freshman and national recruit Ethan Grunkemeyer and redshirt sophomore Jaxon Smolik, who’s coming off a long injury rehab.
Grunkemeyer has thrown two college passes, both in the playoff victory over SMU. Smolik has thrown none.
Penn State true freshman quarterback Jaxon Smolik warms up before the season opener against West Virginia at Beaver Stadium September 2, 2023, in State College.
So forget about Blue-White Game stats for either. Rather, who just looks the part of a Power 4 quarterback in terms of throwing accuracy, confidence and ease of running the team?
That must be telling enough, for now.
A crowded running back room
Nov 30, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Corey Smith (24) runs the ball against Maryland Terrapins defensive back Jalen Huskey (22) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won 44-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
The Penn State running back roster could be in flux with five scholarship players competing for just one meaningful backup spot.
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How many are willing to wait another year behind All-America candidates Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen?
If no one leaves this week in the transfer portal it will be a crowded race for that coveted No. 3 spot. Saturday’s audition will include redshirt freshmen Quinton Martin, Jr. and Corey Smith and a trending rookie, Pittsburgh’s Tikey Hayes.
Martin came with the most recruiting hype but struggled with injuries last year. A big proving time for all.
Young risers in the Penn State secondary? Watch for DeJuan Lane, Daryus Dixson
Penn State Nittany Lions safety Dejuan Lane (10) yells in excitement Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Penn State needs a new starting safety and can always use another standout cornerback, it seems.
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Two names to watch on Saturday: safety DeJuan Lane and cornerback Daryus Dixson.
While Lane filled in, in part, for injured KJ Winston last season, the super-talented true freshman wasn’t able to earn a big role, as some had hoped. How ready is he now? Certainly, the Lions need someone to step up as a starter alongside Zakee Wheatley in new coordinator Jim Knowles’ defense − one that prefers to use more defensive backs than linebackers.
Which brings us to the stacked cornerback room. The Lions could lean hard on this group, which could see a boost from rookie Daryus Dixson. The prized recruit could still push for an immediate role in a room that boasts four returning vets.
Plugging holes on defense: Who will step up at linebacker, on defensive line?
Another critical audition opportunity at linebacker, defensive tackle and defensive end.
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The defensive line, in particular, will not employ the superlative depth and experience of recent seasons. Rather, young, edge rushers and tackles, such as Max Granville and Xavier Gilliam, will be counted on as first-year starters, or at least, regular contributors.
They are the early headliners of untested groups that will get plenty of work Saturday.
It’s a similar situation at linebacker, where the Lions need some replacement in the middle for Kobe King. One to watch is junior Keon Wylie, who missed all of last season to injury but was impactful in limiting minutes in 2023.
Another is LaVar Arrington II, who may push a thin depth chart ahead of his time. He’s already been flashing in spring practices with his elite athleticism at linebacker and rushing the passer.
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Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: 5 things we can learn from the Penn State football Blue-White Game
