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NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Penn State Football, Drew Allar

Penn State’s X-Factors Who Could Power National Championship Drive

Daniel FisherPenn State Football

The week for Penn State Football has finally arrived, and on Saturday, they will play their first regular-season game against Nevada. The Nittany Lions have high expectations this season and could win the national championship.

For Penn State to win the title, they are going to need a handful of players to step up, and here are some X-Factors that could put the Nittany Lions over the top.

Penn State Football’s Most Important Players in 2025

Quarterback Drew Allar

Drew Allar seems like an obvious answer, but if he can take a giant leap this season, Penn State could be the team to beat.

Back in 2019, LSU’s quarterback Joe Burrow went from an average starter to the best player in the country. The Tigers didn’t lose a game; they won the title. Burrow won the Heisman Trophy and was then selected as the first pick in the NFL Draft.

Allar doesn’t have to become the next Burrow, but if he takes a leap, then Allar and Penn State could be playing for a long time this year.

Wide Receiver Kyron Hudson

Penn State Football
Transfer Kyron Hudson has the potential to be the centerpiece of a revamped Penn State receiving corps. (Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun)

The Nittany Lions added three transfer starting wide receivers this offseason in Kyron Hudson, Devonte Ross, and Trebor Pena.

Any of the three could be X factors this season, but Hudson makes this list. The 23-year-old transferred from USC, so he knows what it takes to play in the Big Ten.

Last year, Hudson had 462 receiving yards and three touchdowns, and he will need to add more production if Penn State’s offense is going to explode in the passing game.

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Defensive End Dani Dennis-Sutton

With last year’s star pass rusher, Abdul Carter, leaving for the NFL, someone is going to need to step up this year. Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton is next in line.

Last season, he recorded 8.5 sacks in 16 games. New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles likes to get after the opposing quarterback, and Dennis-Sutton could be the key factor in the pass rush.

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  • Daniel Fisher

    Fisher covers Penn State Football for NittanyCentral. In addition to his work for NittanyCentral, Fisher also writes for a few other sports outlets: Gridiron Heroics, where he covers college football and the NFL, and Stadium Rant, where he is a head editor and covers all major and college sports.

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