3 things Penn State football, Matt Campbell must do in spring practice

Penn State football is embarking on a renewal process quite different from anything before. The first full month of practice sessions and coming-together begins this week for head coach Matt Campbell , his new staff and revamped team It will end, ceremoniously enough, in some version of the Blue-White Game in Beaver Stadium. What a rapid but critical building process that will lead to an unknown 2026 season , starring their more than 50 new players.

Certainly, there's more get-to-know-you work than maybe ever for coordinators Taylor Mouser and D'Anton Lynn and their support staff and roster with its unique Iowa State feel. How will it all begin to take shape by the end of April? Here are three questions these Nittany Lions must begin to answer now: Will Penn State football have an elite pass rusher(s) again?

This season will start, for the first time in years, without a proven, game-changing pass rusher. Who can help replicate the necessary pressure and fear from past defensive ends like Yetur Gross-Matos and Arnold Ebiketie, Chop Robinson, Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton? Developing one or two forces off the edge is required for this defense to elevate and become elite again.

However, the best, most promising options all come with caveats: Max Granville is returning from serious injury, Yvan Kemajou has never been a starter and LaVar Arrington II has never played the position in college. The transfers (Alexander McPherson and Ike Ezeogu) only had 1. 5 sacks, combined, last year.