State Media

Penn State football is officially back.Brian Tripp and former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg preview the Nittany Lions’ season opener against Marshall, break down what they expect from Matt Campbell’s team in its first true test at Beaver Stadium, and make their predictions for the 2026 season.Hackenberg explains why this is Rocco Becht’s team despite Penn State’s plans to get Alex Manske meanin...

Penn State defensive tackle Armstrong Nnodim joins The Lions Den to talk about his journey to Happy Valley, transferring from Oklahoma State, his dominant high school football career and the mindset he brings to the Nittany Lions.Nnodim opens up about recording an incredible 30 sacks and 59 tackles for loss in just two high school seasons, why football is “90% mental,” and why his mentality starts with being hungrier th...

Christian Hackenberg and Brian Tripp are back on State Wide as Penn State Football gets closer to kickoff, with Rocco Becht, Matt Campbell and the future of the Nittany Lions at the center of the conversation.Could Rocco Becht become a Trace McSorley-type quarterback for Penn State? Hackenberg breaks down what he sees in Becht’s game, why the veteran QB could be headed for a breakout season and how Alex Manske could benefit f...

Penn State volleyball’s Alexis Ewing is ready to make a name for herself.The sophomore joins teammate Caroline Juricious on Her State to talk about entering year two at Penn State, developing confidence on the court and embracing the pressure that comes with being the daughter of NBA legend Patrick Ewing and volleyball standout Cheryl Weaver.Ewing opens up about hearing that she only reached this level because of her famous f...

Penn State defensive end Max Granville has been around football his entire life — and now he wants to add his name to one of the strongest edge-rusher traditions in college football.The Sugar Land, Texas native shares how his father helped develop his game from an early age, including early-morning workouts and even putting on his old football pads to help Max sharpen his technique. Granville also recalls the freshman-year sc...

Meet Alex McPherson, Penn State's new defensive end from Stuart, Florida who wants to bring Penn State football back to greatness.McPherson discusses life growing up and his journey to college football. Alex discusses the reason he chose Penn State and how he wants to make an impact on Penn State Football. He talks about his hobbies outside of football including fishing, hunting, and all things outdoors. He shares how his family ha...

Brian Tripp and former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg break down the latest from Nittany Lions fall camp, including Caleb Bacon’s move to the edge, Alex Manske’s development behind Rocco Becht, Malachi Goodman’s opportunity on the offensive line and the Penn State standouts making Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List.Plus, could the Penn State-Pitt football rivalry finally return? Tripp and Hackenberg re...

From Hartley, Iowa to Happy Valley, Kooper Ebel has been shaped by football, family, faith and small-town pride.The Penn State linebacker opens up about growing up as the oldest of seven kids, learning the game from his father, overcoming self-doubt and why his trust in Coach Matt Campbell helped bring him to Penn State. Ebel also talks about the tradition of Linebacker U, his ability to “flip the switch” on game day an...

Meet Vaboue Toure, the Penn State safety from Pleasantville, New Jersey who wants to join the legacy of Penn State safeties. Toure discusses life growing up and his journey to college football. Toure talks about moving to Texas in high school and the hardships that came with that process. He shares how his brothers have motivated him and shaped him into the man and player he is today, while also discussing his recruiting process an...

Meet Jamison Patton, a Penn State football safety whose journey began in Des Moines, Iowa.After growing up playing football, basketball and baseball, Patton helped Roosevelt High School end a losing streak of approximately 120 games before continuing his career at Ankeny and Iowa State. Now in Happy Valley, he is ready to bring his experience, physicality and team-first mentality to Beaver Stadium.Patton discusses the coaches who c...

Before Marcus Neal Jr. arrived at Penn State, he endured two consecutive winless seasons at Raytown South High School. Then, in the first game of his junior year, everything changed: his team finally won, and Neal scored four touchdowns.The Kansas City native has loved football since his father introduced him to tackle football at four years old—sometimes so much that he wore his football pants and cleats to school. In this P...

Keanu Williams has played football since he was four years old—but the beginning was anything but easy. The Penn State defensive tackle remembers crying every day during his first season, being told to get back up and eventually realizing football could change his future.In this Penn State Football player profile, Williams discusses growing up in California, the influence of his mother, losing his senior high school season to...

Keith Jones Jr. learned early how to make something out of nothing.The New Orleans native opens up about his father’s work ethic, falling in love with football at four years old, stepping away to focus on basketball and returning to the game during his senior year of high school. That decision eventually took him to Grambling State, the transfer portal and Penn State.Now, the Penn State wide receiver is preparing to experienc...

Penn State running back Cam Wallace came from one-stoplight Mount Vernon, Georgia—but his speed quickly took him far beyond his small hometown.Wallace shares the unforgettable story of arriving late to a childhood football game, getting the ball and immediately scoring a touchdown that changed the momentum. He also discusses the coaches who kept him grounded, the sacrifices his aunt made for his future and the legacy he hopes...

Penn State defensive lineman Siale Taupaki shares the family sacrifice, Tongan heritage and relentless motivation behind his football journey.Raised in East Oakland by parents who immigrated from the Kingdom of Tonga, Taupaki learned early that discipline, respect and humility begin at home. Their journey to America—and the challenges they continue to face—pushes him to keep going whenever he feels like there is nothing...

Could Penn State’s iconic football uniform soon carry a sponsor logo?Brian Tripp and former quarterback Christian Hackenberg break down Pat Kraft’s comments from Big Ten Football Media Day, what a jersey patch could potentially be worth and whether Penn State can embrace college athletics’ new financial reality without sacrificing one of the most recognizable uniforms in sports.They also examine the biggest Penn S...

Basketball was Zay Robinson’s first love—but the skills he developed on the court helped turn him into an explosive wide receiver.Get to know the Penn State playmaker from Des Moines, Iowa, as Robinson discusses the family members who shaped him, the unusual way he joined his first football team and the injuries that tested him during high school. He also explains how basketball improved his movement, jumping ability an...

James Peoples’ journey to Penn State has taken him from Germany to San Antonio, Ohio State and now Happy Valley — all while staying grounded in three priorities: faith, family and football.The Penn State running back sits down to share the story behind his military upbringing, the influence of his parents, how football went from an outlet to a way of life and why his faith has guided him throughout his college football ...

Penn State offensive lineman Dominic Rulli’s journey to Happy Valley started long before he ever put on the Blue & White jersey.Growing up in Burlington, Kentucky as a kid, Rulli watched Penn State football every Saturday with his family, had LBU posters on his wall and dreamed about Beaver Stadium. Despite receiving no Division I offers out of high school, he found his way to Penn State as a walk-on and is making the mos...