Could Terry Smith’s Comments Signal Increased Role for 2 Penn State Playmakers?
Penn State Football interim head coach Terry Smith admitted at the Penn State weekly press conference that he has his “work cut out” for him after taking over for James Franklin after the 12-year Nittany Lions head coach was fired last Sunday.
On Wednesday night, Smith partook in his first post-practice press conference as the interim head coach, addressing questions about the team’s preparation to head to Iowa this weekend and the team’s mentality with the shakeup at head coach.
During the press conference, one of Smith’s answers on preparation for the Iowa game this weekend may have signaled an increased role for a few receivers previously buried on Penn State’s depth chart.
Although both true freshman Kobe Howard and redshirt freshman Tyseer Denmark created plenty of buzz in the offseason, through six games in the 2025 season, neither receiver has received much playing time outside of a few snaps against Penn State’s early nonconference opponents.
Before his firing, James Franklin chalked the lack of playing time for Howard and Denmark up as an opportunity that hasn’t presented itself.
“Obviously, [Penn State’s] in a position right now where we don’t have plays and drives to just throw somebody out there and see how it goes.” Franklin told reporters. “We’ve got to get our best guys on the field.
“Every rep is like gold, every drive is like gold, and we’ve got to maximize that. And if we feel like guys give us a better chance based on what we see in practice, then yeah, we would do that. But if not, we’re not in a position right now to just put guys out there to see how they do. That’s what practice is for.”
However, despite Franklin’s insistence that the staff was not seeing enough out of the duo in practice, a few of Penn State’s defenders contradicted this claim last week.
Last Thursday, Penn State safety King Mack was asked about Penn State’s two backup receivers, Howard and Denmark. Mack stated the pair were “talented…When I say talent, very, very talented.”
According to Mack, Penn State’s young receivers have impressed on the practice field throughout the season. Mack noted that the pair of receivers was “doing the right things. They perform every day. They do what they’re told.”
“It’s a matter of time when that opportunity comes,” Mack said. “Them taking advantage of that opportunity … When the coaches feel like it’s that time to showcase, then it’s that time for them to showcase.”
But as far as preparation and ability to make plays, they definitely have that ability. 100 percent.”
Cornerback Audavion Collins echoed the same message when asked about Kobe Howard last week. Collins noted that Howard is “gonna be a great guy here” when he has the opportunity to perform.
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On Wednesday after practice, interim head coach Terry Smith may have signaled that the duo will finally have a chance to see the field in the second half of the Nittany Lions season.
After practice, Smith noted that Penn State’s coaching staff is “examining the depth chart…looking for playmakers, guys who can change the game.”
Smith continued, “If you can change the game, it’s my job to get you on the field to help us.”
While Smith did not officially name Koby Howard and Tyseer Denmark in his response, combining Smith’s comments and Mack and Collins comments from last week would signal an increased role for the wide receiver duo.
With Penn State starting quarterback Drew Allar going down for the season on Penn State’s final drive against Northwestern, new starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer will need as many playmakers to help him on offense as possible.
Heading into a very tough three-game stretch for the Nittany Lions at Iowa, at Ohio State, and home against Indiana, to paraphrase Terry Smith’s comments Monday, Penn State could use as many hands on Penn State’s offense “rowing in the same direction.”
With Penn State officially out of the college football playoff race this season, Terry Smith and Penn State have more wiggle room to play with the lineup in the latter half of the season.
If Howard and Denmark can provide a spark to the Penn State offense with Grunkemeyer stepping in for his first starting experience, Smith and the Penn State staff should welcome it with open arms.
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