Penn State offensive linemen Nolan Rucci (72) and Cooper Cousins (50) talk before a play during the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in State College. The White team defeated the Blue team, 27-0.
After firing James Franklin on Sunday, Penn State Football now faces a bevy of questions.
Who will be the new Head Coach? Will the coordinators stay on staff? Which position coaches will stay? Which players will remain?
The final question is the one to focus on today. Which players will remain?
Here are the top 5 offensive players that Penn State must keep for whoever the new Head Coach is, beginning with interim head coach Terry Smith‘s work to keep them in Happy Valley through season’s end and out of the transfer portal in the moths ahead.
Five Offensive Players Penn State Football Needs to Retain
5. RB Tikey Hayes (Freshman)
The Freshman Running Back Tikey Hayes has tremendous promise going forward.
Hayes is from Pittsburgh and has shown early flashes in the loaded Penn State Running Back room.
Hayes is important to keep for whoever the new coaching staff is because he has the potential to be the next great Penn State Running Back. At 5 foot 11 inches, and 200 pounds, Hayes is a build runner. He looks the part of a great Running Back. Keeping Hayes in the Blue and White would be huge for the future of the Running Back room.
4. OL Cooper Cousins (Sophomore)
One of the class of 2024 jewel was Erie, PA native, Cooper Cousins. Cousins came in and played right away as a Freshman. He burned his redshirt last year and he showed flashes.
Reports from the program have been consistently positive about Cousins since he set foot on campus. Cousins is a football junkie. Retaining Cooper Cousins would be a massive boost to the future Penn State Offensive Line.
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3. TE Luke Reynolds (Sophomore)
Another class of 2024 jewel is Tight End Luke Reynolds.
Similar to Cousins, Reynolds also burned his redshirt last season. Last year, Reynolds became more and more involved as the year went on, and this year he has hauled in 18 passes for 197 yards.
Whoever the new coaching staff is, having Luke Reynolds in year three would be an instant jolt to the offense. Whether it be Ethan Grunkemeyer, or a fresh portal addition at Quarterback, Reynolds would be a welcome pass catcher.
2. WR Tyseer Denmark (Sophomore)
The third and final sophomore on this list is wide receiver Tyseer Denmark.
Denmark is a Philadelphia product who was at one point an Oregon commit. Denmark has shown flashes of excellence in the Wide Receiver room. He has good quickness and could blossom into a playmaker.
While he has caught two passes this year, Denmark also caught two in his Freshman campaign, including a Touchdown.
Similar to Reynolds, Denmark has the potential to become a star wideout. Keeping him in State College would be a good thing for the Nittany Lions.
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1. WR Koby Howard (Freshman)
Coming into this year, as a Freshman, not many knew what to expect from the Florida native. However, in his short time on campus, Howard has been very impressive.
Howard was a name that buzzed all camp. He even released clips of himself in practice that looked nasty. He has wiggle, quickness, and a lot more going for him.
Truthfully, Koby Howard could be a true alpha, dominant Wide Receiver down the line. Which is obviously something that Penn State would love to have in the upcoming years.
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Ian Purdy covers Penn State Football Recruiting for NittanyCentral.
Purdy was born and raised in central Ohio and served for four years writing for his high school's newsletter. Currently studying Biblical Studies at Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania, Ian has been a lifelong Nittany Lion fan.
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