A Few Penn State Football 2025 Signees Get Experience in Bowl Prep

With Penn State Football set to take on Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl Tuesday night, the Nittany Lions’ 2024 roster has the opportunity to extend their season and punch a ticket to the College Football Playoff semifinal.

However, three 2025 Penn State recruits are already gaining valuable experience after joining the team in Phoenix for Fiesta Bowl practices.

Wide receiver Lyrick Samuel, safety Braswell Thomas, linebacker Lavar Arrington II, and cornerback Daryus Dixson all signed with Penn State earlier this month, and they’ve been given the chance to participate in the team’s Fiesta Bowl preparations.

On Friday, Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen confirmed that Thomas, Arrington, and Dixson are with the team on campus but have not yet practiced. Meanwhile, Lyrick Samuel was seen on the field during Fiesta Bowl prep.

A handful of Penn State’s 2025 signees are with the team in Arizona. Here’s a look at 6-foot-4 WR Lyrick Samuel. pic.twitter.com/V0VJq1CsQG

— Seth Engle (@bigsengtweets) December 29, 2024

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Although these players cannot participate in the Fiesta Bowl itself, the experience of joining the team for bowl prep is invaluable.

Freshmen who enroll early at their respective schools typically benefit from spring practice, but with the extended bowl season under the 12-team playoff format, players now have a chance to immerse themselves in bowl practices and game preparations.

This exposure allows them to observe how teams prepare for games and navigate a full game week before their freshman season officially begins.

For Penn State Football, this early development opportunity could pay dividends for these players heading into the 2025 season. Should Penn State defeat Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, the Nittany Lions may even have the chance to involve more early enrollees in practice and game prep ahead of the Orange Bowl.

MORE Penn State Football news From NittanyCentral:

• ‘Joe Paterno Would Have Loved My Son’ LaVar Arrington Opens Up About His Son’s Commitment to Penn State
• Grading Penn State’s Recent Marquee Transfer Portal Additions

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Robert Shields

Penn State Football Reporter at NittanyCentral

Robert Shields covers Penn State Football for Nittany Central. As a Penn State graduate, Robert has covered Penn State football since 2019, but had been a fan of the Nittany Lions for well over a decade. During his undergraduate education, Robert was a manager in the athletic department of a division III school, working in various aspects of athletic management at football, soccer, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse games.

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