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Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford has been creating headlines of late after his discussions with College Football Players Association executive director Jason Stahl became public knowledge and stirred up questions about potential for the team to unionize. Clifford and about 100 Nittany Lions were reportedly in an extended meeting with Stahl before a member of the Penn State staff entered the room with less than five minutes to go in Stahl's presentation, he told CBS Sports. However, the notion of potential unionization was put to bed by Clifford with a statement on Friday after the news became public and then by head coach James Franklin and athletic director Pat Kraft Wednesday afternoon at Big Ten Media Days.

On Wednesday, the team's starting quarterback made frequent reference to his statement and passed on expanding further on his hopes for what will happen next. "We are five days away from camp and that's the main thing right now," Clifford said. "Just to address what happened, do I want to make change for college athletics and college athletes across the country? Absolutely. That's one of the things that I set out to do this offseason, and I still believe that. I'm very blessed to be in this situation. To have a commissioner that's open to conversations, a head coach that's open to conversations and a new athletic director that's open to conversations. It's a blessing, 100%...Definitely excited about the future, but here in the present." Clifford's statement on Friday said he met with Franklin, Kraft and Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren to discuss the changing landscape of college athletics and how it will impact athletes. He added, however, that he was not doing so on behalf of a union. - Centre Times

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2023

QB Sean Clifford, Penn State
News Source: Centre Times
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07/29/22 - Chop Robinson, Jr/2024, Penn State, 6-3, 254 (DS#3 DE) + More +

Penn State's defensive end room will be led by veterans Nick Tarburton and Adisa Isaac. The latter missed 2021 with an Achilles injury. The Lions also welcome two major talents to the practice field in August - five-star recruit Dani Dennis-Sutton and Maryland transfer Chop Robinson, who is in his second year at the college level. "Chop Robinson is a young man we recruited out of high school, so knew him and his family extremely well," Franklin said. "I think that helps us. We're typically a program, when it comes to the transfer portal, we would rather be in a situation of being involved with a young man that we already have a pre-existing relationship through the recruiting process out of high school. I think that's helpful." "Obviously he's got a chance to come in and make an impact," Franklin continued. "He's come in and tested extremely well, very athletic, as a guy who's all about ball, which I love. I think he's got a chance to be a high-production, low-maintenance guy, which is what we want." - Tribune Review

(DS#3 DE) Jr/2024

DE Chop Robinson, Penn State
News Source: Tribune Review
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07/28/22 - *Joey Porter Jr., Jr/2023, Penn State, 6-3, 198 (DS#3 CB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON JIM THORPE AWARD WATCHLIST: Joey Porter, Jr., Penn State, Jr.,...In 2021 as a redshirt sophomore S Joey Porter Jr. (6-2, 198) made 13 starts at cornerback...Finished with 51 tackles (40 solo), one forced fumble, one interception and four pass breakups...Named the Coaching Staff's Defensive Player of the Week following the Auburn game (9/18). Father, Joey Sr., was the outside linebackers coach for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers (2015-18)...Father played football at Colorado State (1995-99) and played 13 seasons for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals. - Penn State Football

(DS#3 CB) Jr/2023

CB *Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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07/28/22 - JiAyir Brown, rSr/2023, Penn State, 5-11, 203 (DS#4 SS) + More +

2022 PRESEASON JIM THORPE AWARD WATCHLIST: Ji'Ayir Brown, Penn State, Sr.,...This is a safety who can move in more ways than one. Brown (5-11, 208) showed up big at Trenton Central High School (N. J. ) as four-year letterman and was selected as the Defensive Player of the Game for the Phil Simms North/South All-Star Game. Spent 2018-19 at Lackawanna Community College where he was a key to the Falcons making the NJCAA championship game and finishing 10-1. Made All-America JC as a soph. As a junior at Penn State in 202 he played in nine games. As a senior in 2021 started all 13 games at safety... Posted 73 tackles (61 solo) to go along with six interceptions, five pass breakups , two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and a tackle for loss...Had a hand in eight takeaways (six interceptions, two fumble recoveries)...Recorded 112 return yards on the six interceptions...Named the Coaching Staff's Defensive Player of the Week three times (Villanova, 9/25; Indiana, 10/2; Maryland, 11/6). - Penn State Football

(DS#4 SS) rSr/2023

SS JiAyir Brown, Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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07/25/22 - *Brenton Strange, Jr/2023, Penn State, 6-4, 253 (DS#9 TE) + More +

2022 PRESEASON JOHN MACKEY AWARD WATCH LIST: BRENTON STRANGE, PENN STATE,...Has appeared in 24 career games as a Nittany Lion, making 18 starts...Named to the preseason Mackey Award watch list for the second-straight year...Earned All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition by the media in 2021...Recorded 20 receptions for 225 yards and three touchdowns in 2021. - Penn State Football

(DS#9 TE) Jr/2023

TE *Brenton Strange, Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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07/25/22 - Theo Johnson, rJr/2024, Penn State, 6-6, 259 (DS#3 TE) + More +

2022 PRESEASON JOHN MACKEY AWARD WATCH LIST: THEO JOHNSON, PENN STATE,...Has appeared in 20 career games at Penn State, making seven starts...Played in 13 games and made six starts in 2021...Tallied 19 receptions for 213 yards and one touchdown last season. - Penn State Football

(DS#3 TE) rJr/2024

TE Theo Johnson, Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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07/25/22 - Juice Scruggs, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-3, 305 (DS#10 C) + More +

2022 PRESEASON RIMINGTON TROPHY WATCHLIST: Juice Scruggs, Penn State,...Scruggs has appeared in 21 career games at Penn State, making 13 starts...Started all 13 games in 2021...Has showed off versatility, playing guard and center at Penn State...Was named All-Big Ten honorable mention by the coaches and media in 2021, while earning Pro Football Focus All-Big Ten third team honors...Earned the team's Dick Maginnis Memorial Award, recognizing the most outstanding offensive lineman. - Penn State Football

(DS#10 C) rSr/2023

C Juice Scruggs, Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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07/22/22 - *Parker Washington, rSo/2023, Penn State, 5-10, 204 (DS#20 WR) + More +

2022 PRESEASON BILETNIKOFF AWARD WATCH LIST: Parker Washington, Penn State,...Washington has appeared in 22 career games for the Nittany Lions, making 16 starts...Owns 100 career receptions, ranking 18th all-time at Penn State...Has caught a pass in all 22 games...Has recorded 1,310 career receiving yards, good for 22nd in program history...Washington's 100 receptions in his first two seasons are the second-most ever at Penn State, trailing only DaeSean Hamilton (127 combined receptions in 2014 and 2015)...In 2021, tallied 64 receptions, 820 yards and five touchdowns, ranking second on the team in all categories. - Penn State Football

(DS#20 WR) rSo/2023

WR *Parker Washington, Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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07/22/22 - Mitchell Tinsley, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-0, 199 (DS#57 WR) + More +

2022 PRESEASON BILETNIKOFF AWARD WATCH LIST: Mitchell Tinsley, Penn State,...Tinsley joined the Nittany Lions as a transfer from Western Kentucky...Was a second-team All-Conference USA selection in 2021...Started all 14 games at WKU in 2021...Caught 87 passes for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 100.1 yards per game and 16.1 yards per reception...Finished eighth nationally in receiving yards, 16th in receptions and fifth in receiving touchdowns. - Penn State Football

(DS#57 WR) rSr/2023

WR Mitchell Tinsley, Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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07/22/22 - Sean Clifford, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-2, 218 (DS#20 QB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON MAXWELL AWARD WATCH LIST: Sean Clifford, Penn State,...Quarterback Sean Clifford (6-2, 212) played in 38 career games, making 33 starts for Penn State. ...Is one of three Penn State players to reach 8,000 yards of total offense and one of three PSU quarterbacks to eclipse 7,500 career passing yards...Sits as the current all-time leader at Penn State in completion percentage (.603)...Ranks second at PSU in career passing touchdowns (62), third in passing yardage (7,839), completions (607) and passing efficiency (141.2), fourth in attempts (1,006), tied for seventh in yards per passing attempt (7.8), eighth in lowest interception percentage (2.49), and 10th in touchdown pass percentage (6.16) and wins as a starting quarterback (21)...Is third in school history in 300-yard passing games (7) and 200-yard games (19)...Among Penn State quarterbacks, is third all-time at PSU in rushing yardage (897) and tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns (10). - Penn State Football

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2023

QB Sean Clifford, Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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07/20/22 - JiAyir Brown, rSr/2023, Penn State, 5-11, 203 (DS#4 SS) + More +

JiAyir Brown is locked in as a starter after proving last season he was one of the best safeties in the country alongside Brisker, but the position next to him could be up for grabs. The benefit of having Brown is that the leadership aspects of the position will be taken care of already, allowing whoever replaces Brisker to take on less of that responsibility this season. There are several options to replace Brisker, but Wheatley's breakout spring should put him in good position to start alongside Brown. While Wheatley will draw more intrigue because of his youth and upside, it's the veteran who should make the most impact this season.

Brown is one of the most versatile safeties in the country and established that in a major way alongside Brisker last season. He's excellent in coverage and has shown the ability to be a major asset whether he's playing as a deep safety or stepping up and playing man coverage. The senior was tied for first in the country in 2021 with six interceptions, showing the type of elite ball skills that allow him to be a game changer in the secondary. He relies on his instincts and high football IQ when he drops into zone, watching the play unfold and seeing where the quarterback is passing before the ball even comes out. When asked to play man, he's physical and can stay with receivers at a proficient level for a safety, even if he isn't elite in that regard. - Centre Times

(DS#4 SS) rSr/2023

SS JiAyir Brown, Penn State
News Source: Centre Times
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07/19/22 - Sean Clifford, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-2, 218 (DS#20 QB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON DAVEY O'BRIEN NATIONAL QUARTERBACK AWARD WATCH LIST: Sean Clifford, Penn State, Sr., 6-2, 212, Cincinnati, Ohio,...Clifford played in 38 career games, making 33 starts...Is one of three Penn State players to reach 8,000 yards of total offense and one of three PSU quarterbacks to eclipse 7,500 career passing yards...Sits as the current all-time leader at Penn State in completion percentage (.603)...Ranks second at PSU in career passing touchdowns (62), third in passing yardage (7,839), completions (607) and passing efficiency (141.2), fourth in attempts (1,006), tied for seventh in yards per passing attempt (7.8), eighth in lowest interception percentage (2.49), and 10th in touchdown pass percentage (6.16) and wins as a starting quarterback (21). - Penn State Football

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2023

QB Sean Clifford, Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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07/17/22 - *Joey Porter Jr., Jr/2023, Penn State, 6-3, 198 (DS#3 CB) + More +

Penn State has one of the highest-upside cornerbacks in the country returning for the 2022 season, leading the way for a room with plenty of potential. The Nittany Lions lost Tariq Castro-Fields to the 2022 NFL Draft but still return major contributors at the team's three starting spots. Those starters - to go with veteran depth - should lead to good coverage on the outside this year. Let's take a look at how Penn State's cornerback depth chart could shake out to start the season. Projected starters: Redshirt juniors Joey Porter Jr. and Daequan Hardy, sophomore Kalen King. The team's starters are where most of the upside lies, with the chance to have two No. 1-type cornerbacks on the outside and a high level veteran in the slot when the team moves to nickel packages. The Nittany Lions have good size on the outside and the perfect skillset in the slot.

Porter has excellent size at 6-foot-2, 198 pounds and uses it all when he's in man coverage. He's an excellent athlete who can turn and run with faster receivers, but has shown enough refinement to stick with technicians who use their route running to create space in the middle of the field. The redshirt junior can essentially match up with any receiver in the country and give them a difficult time, but he isn't without flaws. He's a physical cornerback, which helps against stronger opponents, but it doesn't always work in his favor. Porter can get too aggressive with his hands in coverage, getting too many pass interference and holding calls against him. That will be the primary point of improvement for him this season as he looks to take the next step in his progression. - Centre Times

(DS#3 CB) Jr/2023

CB *Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
News Source: Centre Times
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07/14/22 - Julian Fleming, rSr/2025, Penn State, 6-2, 208 (DS#82 WR) + More +

Julian Fleming had barely begun his first Ohio State football spring when we first conceived of the Malik Hooker-Marshon Lattimore Watch List in 2020. Two full seasons later, few players have ever captured the essence of the list more completely. Eligibility is limited to Buckeyes entering their third year in search of their first (real) starting job. Players such as Jaxon Smith-Njigba and C.J. Stroud do not qualify, obviously. Nor do part-time starters such as Cody Simon and Miyan Williams. Fleming, though, checks all the boxes after two seasons for many of the same reasons as Lattimore (injuries) and Hooker (stuck behind stars).

If not for Fleming's status as the No. 1 receiver in the 2020 recruiting class - and it's not like he campaigned for or requested that title - his career might not seem far off track. Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson commanded a lot of targets during Fleming's first two years in the program. Fleming earned starts in the 2020 Big Ten championship game and 2021 Rose Bowl when those first-round draft picks were unavailable. Talent, especially top-end speed, has never really been the question for Fleming. The departure of Olave and Wilson created a need for a new threat over the top of defenses while C.J. Stroud lacerates them underneath with slot star Smith-Njigba and bigger-bodied Marvin Harrison Jr. - Cleveland Plain Dealer

(DS#82 WR) rSr/2025

WR Julian Fleming, Penn State
News Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
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07/13/22 - Curtis Jacobs, rJr/2024, Penn State, 6-1, 241 (DS#10 OLB) + More +

Let's take a look at how Penn State stacks up at linebacker heading into the 2022 season. Two of the starting spots should be solidified, with the third down to only a couple options entering the team's fall camp. While two starters are gone in Ellis Brooks and Brandon Smith, added experience and a position switch has the second level of the defense ready to be a positive once again this season. Curtis Jacobs is the clear standout for Penn State and should easily be the most impactful player at the spot. He's a gifted athlete who took time to grow into playing linebacker but hit his stride as the 2021 season rolled on.

He previously attributed his growth to not overthinking too much on the field and increasing his work habits off the field, watching film with Brooks on weekends. Now he'll be tasked with being the unit's best player as a force against the run and the pass. He plays the run well, finding ball carriers and bringing them down behind the line of scrimmage with his instincts and strength. Those instincts come in handy when attacking the quarterback as well, where he excels as a blitzer. Jacobs will have to keep working on his coverage ability, but he has the traits to be an asset there as he continues to get comfortable operating in the middle of zone defenses. - Centre Times

(DS#10 OLB) rJr/2024

OLB Curtis Jacobs, Penn State
News Source: Centre Times
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