Penn State is in the doldrums of a season that quickly went awry.
There’s still a long-shot hope at a bowl game, but preseason national championship aspirations are long out the window. The on-field product has taken a hit amid a five-game losing streak, and there’s widespread uncertainty about which Nittany Lions might still be on the roster in 2026.
But these final four games, including a difficult one this week against No. 2 Indiana, remain intriguing auditions for the Nittany Lions for many reasons. Veterans may have an eye on the NFL, and youngsters will be courted by Penn State or another school in the offseason.
There’s also still pride to play for as the Lions try to salvage a win or two down the stretch.
Thus, let’s take stock of the Penn State players who are trending up or down heading into Game 9.
UP: Freshman defensive end Chaz Coleman
Credit to the talented freshman defender. After dealing with an illness and being largely game-planned out of the Iowa game, he made an impact against Ohio State.
Coleman earned Penn State’s highest PFF grade in the loss and created three pressures on 15 snaps. He also recovered the key fumble at the end of the first half that led to a Penn State touchdown.
This is a prime example of a player Penn State must work to retain in the offseason. Coleman has a bright future, and other big-time programs will recognize that.
UP: Freshman wide receiver Koby Howard
It’s time for interim head coach Terry Smith to make good on his promises and give Howard more playing time.
He has Penn State’s longest reception by a wide receiver — 14 yards at Iowa and 26 at Ohio State — in each of the past two games.
The explosive receiver has a clear connection with quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. With little to lose, let the first-year wideout get after it, even if he doesn’t have perfect knowledge of the offensive playbook.
Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton dodges Northwestern defensive back Robert Fitzgerald during the fourth quarter on Oct. 11, 2025.
Joe Hermitt | [email protected]Joe Hermitt | [email protected]
UP: Senior running back Nick Singleton
The 2025 year has been unkind to Singleton, who has put together a prolific career at Penn State. He’s averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and has been outshone by Kaytron Allen.
But Singleton found some space against Ohio State. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki designed a couple of nice runs to allow Singleton to use his elite speed. He also contributed as a receiver with three catches for 28 yards.
Penn State still believes Singleton is one of its best offensive players. There’s a blueprint that shows how to make him most successful the rest of this season.
DOWN: Penn State’s entire secondary
The plan was clear: Don’t let Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate behind you. That didn’t happen.
Penn State allowed the OSU receivers to combine for more than 200 yards and multiple scores.
We’ve heard all season that coordinator Jim Knowles’ defense is complex and players struggled to adapt to it right away, but we’ve started hearing that one of 11 players has done their own thing on each snap. That causes major problems.
Clearly, the secondary failed to execute what the coaching staff expected of them last week. Smith said players were often undercutting routes instead of playing over the top.
It’ll burn the Lions again against Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper if it isn’t quickly fixed.
DOWN: Penn State’s senior wide receivers
Trebor Peña, Kyron Hudson and Devonte Ross haven’t even eclipsed 1,000 yards as a trio yet. That comes after Ross crossed that mark, Peña crossed 900 and Hudson had over 400 last season at their respective schools.
Penn State’s offense has struggled all season. It’s hard to believe this group of veteran transfer receivers declined so significantly, but the product has been bad. They haven’t done much to help redshirt freshman Grunkemeyer in his first starts at quarterback.
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