Updated roster out today... Some changes, some not so much....

[GregInPitt]

What I noticed:
1. Gonzo preparing to use a 4 man OL if necessary....
2. Stevens backing away from former TE size...
3. Nice to see the 3 freshmen adding muscle, especially Dotson.
4. Did Hamler have Mono this Winter?
5. Menet, Miranda, Walker all continue to fill out.
6. Holmes, OL, trimming down to get quicker and play outside?
7. Scruggs getting the size to play Center in the B10 (+16), and Effner making progress (+17) but still some work to do at 289lbs
7. I expected Kuntz to be at least 245 by now.... but Bowers and Freiermuth continuing to add muscle
8. At DE, Tarburton getting bigger (true DE size), along with YGM continuing to add muscle. But Toney is going in the wrong direction?!?
9. Is Hawkins trimming down to play DE??
10. At LB Cam Brown and Brooks continuing to add muscle. I expected Katshir to bet bigger, not lose 6 lbs...
11. At CB Reid and Johnson adding 9 lbs each is significant. Hope it's all muscle. Whereas the taller TCF drops 5 lbs


https://gopsusports.com/roster.aspx?path=football


https://247sports.com/college/penn-...roster-Tommy-Stevens-Micah-Parsons-129997806/

Weight changes on Penn State's spring roster
BySEAN FITZ 3 hours ago

Penn State will start spring practice on Wednesday and the Nittany Lions released its official spring roster on Tuesday afternoon. The Nittany Lions added 14 January enrollees to the mix for the spring semester and the updated roster includes a handful of number changes as well.

It also reflects the departure of several Nittany Lions who entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, including guys like Brandon Polk, Zechariah McPhearson and Ayron Monroe, who have not publicly found their next home.

As always, weight changes are a hot topic of discussion this time of year. Below are the notable adjustments on the roster greater than five pounds from the Citrus Bowl until now. Also reflected below are any number changes.

The largest gain was by starting guard Steven Gonzalez, who is now listed at 349 pounds, up 24 from the January roster. Double-digit additions included wide receiver Jahan Dotson putting on 10 pounds, offensive linemen Michal Menet, Mike Miranda, Juice Scruggs and Bryce Effner added weight in the teens and former linebacker Nick Tarburton’s continued growth into a defensive lineman with 14 pounds.

Quarterback Tommy Stevens is down 10 pounds in the offseason while defensive tackles Aeneas Hawkins, Robert Windsor and Fred Hansard each had notable losses.

RELATED: Penn State reveals freshmen jersey numbers, measurements

Here’s a rundown of the changes on the latest roster.

QB Tommy Stevens - 6-5, 230 (-10 pounds)
QB Will Levis - 6-3, 234 (+8, Now wearing No. 7)

RB Ricky Slade - 5-9, 203 (+5, Now wearing No. 3)
RB Journey Brown - 5-11, 206 (+1, Now wearing No. 4
RB CJ Holmes - 6-0, 210 (-5)

WR Jahan Dotson - 5-11, 179 (+10)
WR Cameron Pica - 6-2, 219 (+9)
WR Justin Shorter - 6-4, 232 (+6)
WR Daniel George - 6-2, 224 (+4, now wearing No. 11)
WR Dan Chisena - 6-3, 203 (-5)
WR KJ Hamler - 5-9, 168 (-5)

OL Steven Gonzalez - 6-4, 349 (+24)
OL Bryce Effner - 6-5, 289 (+17)
OL Juice Scruggs - 6-3, 294 (+16)
OL Michal Menet - 6-4, 312 (+14)
OL Mike Miranda - 6-3, 311 (+13)
OL Rasheed Walker - 6-6, 314 (+6)
OL Will Fries - 6-6, 312 (+6)
OL Des Holmes - 6-5, 314 (-8)
OL Will Knutsson - 6-2, 290 (-17)

TE Trevor Baker - 6-3, 232 (+12)
TE Grayson Kline - 6-5, 227 (+8, moved from QB to TE, now wearing No. 17)
TE Nick Bowers - 6-4, 265 (+5)
TE Pat Freiermuth - 6-5, 262 (+5)

DT Evan Presta - 6-3, 286 (+7)
DT Judge Culpepper - 6-4, 286 (+4)
DT Robert Windsor - 6-4, 289 (-6)
DT Fred Hansard - 6-3, 309 (-7)
DT Aeneas Hawkins - 6-2, 274 (-11)

DE Nick Tarburton - 6-3, 260 (+14)
DE Yetur Gross-Matos - 6-5, 265 (+6)
DE Jayson Oweh - 6-5, 250 (+3)
DE Shaka Toney - 6-3, 236 (-5)

LB Cam Brown - 6-5, 230 (+7)
LB Ellis Brooks - 6-1, 240 (+7)
LB Max Chizmar - 6-2, 228 (+6)
LB Jesse Luketa - 6-3, 241 (+5)
LB Micah Parsons - 6-3, 243 (+3)
LB Charlie Katshir - 6-3, 214 (-6)

CB John Reid - 5-10, 189 (+9)
CB DJ Brown - 5-10, 186 (+9)
CB Donovan Johnson - 5-9, 181 (-1, Now wearing No. 3)
CB Tariq Castro-Fields - 6-0, 181 (-5)

Saf. John Petrishen - 6-0, 211 (+5)
Saf. Cody Romano - 6-2, 202 (-5)

SN Joe Calcagno - 6-0, 260 (+18)
SN Kevin Cahill - 6-3, 224 (+12)
SN Dan Vasey - 6-4, 254 (+12)
K Justin Tobin - 6-2, 202 (+11)
PCade Pollard- 5-11, 217 (+10)
K Vlad Hilling - 5-10, 226 (+9)
K Carson Landis - 6-2, 203 (+8)

 

[JWB389]

Will Levis might have a spot at LB if any of the other QB's pan out early.

 

[psuro]

Will Levis might have a spot at LB if any of the other QB's pan out early.

He could be the Jim Kelly of his era.

 

[djr4rebs]

Did Hamler have Mono this Winter?

Not sure, but KJ doesn't appear to have the frame to add much weight. He's not magically going to grow 3-4" either. Probably best to keep him light and shifty. I expect him to develop into our "Hollywood" Brown this year. It will be criminal if he doesn't tear the top off defenses.

I expected Katshir to bet bigger, not lose 6 lbs...

Somebody else mentioned that he was 6'5" in the thread devoted to him. Came in at 6'3" here.

 

[wentzel25]

Not sure, but KJ doesn't appear to have the frame to add much weight. He's not magically going to grow 3-4" either. Probably best to keep him light and shifty. I expect him to develop into our "Hollywood" Brown this year. It will be criminal if he doesn't tear the top off defenses.



Somebody else mentioned that he was 6'5" in the thread devoted to him. Came in at 6'3" here.

To you first point, I get scared about speed guys putting on weight ever since DWill bulked up after his freshman injury.

 

[bwifan]

Gonzo putting on that much weight caught my eye. The other 1 that gave me pause was Katshir. Hopefully it's just his body now rounding into the right type of muscle and weight and will continue to put on weight and muscle over the spring and summer. I would have thought he would be in the mid 220's closing in on 230. But in Galt and JF I trust so I am sure they now what they are doing and monitoring.

 

[GregInPitt]

Will Levis might have a spot at LB if any of the other QB's pan out early.

Yep, the pictures I saw of him during Winter workouts show him to be quite a specimen, especially for a QB.

 

[Richard the LIONhearted]

Most of the LBers are in the 230-240 range: Parson, Luketa, Brown, Brooks - I think there is a spot open for Katshir and Dixon to play as they are both in the 210-215 range - they could be called upon if they need to play more in space and cover backs coming out for passes....

 

[BBrown]

To you first point, I get scared about speed guys putting on weight ever since DWill bulked up after his freshman injury.

I get what your saying but the S&C program when Dwill was there is Highschool compared to what it is now.

 

[GregInPitt]

Somebody else mentioned that he was 6'5" in the thread devoted to him. Came in at 6'3" here.

The other 1 that gave me pause was Katshir. Hopefully it's just his body now rounding into the right type of muscle and weight and will continue to put on weight and muscle over the spring and summer. I would have thought he would be in the mid 220's closing in on 230. But in Galt and JF I trust so I am sure they now what they are doing and monitoring.

I saw numerous pictures of Katshir on the sideline this past season and he looked all of 6'3". I am also very surprised he did not put on 5 or 10 lbs in the last year, given that he looks to have the frame to play at a weight eventually similar to Sean Lee or Poz. As tall and slender of a build that Cam Brown has, he is up to 230 lbs, but it did take him quite a while. If Katshir really did grow to 6'5" it will be interesting to see what LB position he plays..... It will be an interesting Spring as all the LB talent sorts out into the depth chart!!!

 

[PearlSUJam]

Toney losing 5? It might be time to have him drop 10 more and move him to safety.

 

[bwifan]

I saw numerous pictures of Katshir on the sideline this past season and he looked all of 6'3". I am also very surprised he did not put on 5 or 10 lbs in the last year, given that he looks to have the frame to play at a weight eventually similar to Sean Lee or Poz. As tall and slender of a build that Cam Brown has, he is up to 230 lbs, but it did take him quite a while. If Katshir really did grow to 6'5" it will be interesting to see what LB position he plays..... It will be an interesting Spring as all the LB talent sorts out into the depth chart!!!

Friermuth at 262 is going to be an absolute bull to try and bring down for DB's. Plus good size for blocking and sealing the end. He surprised me with how good a blocker he is and willing to mix it up blocking.

 

[GregInPitt]

Friermuth at 262 is going to be an absolute bull to try and bring down for DB's. Plus good size for blocking and sealing the end. He surprised me with how good a blocker he is and willing to mix it up blocking.

Yep, and some here continue to discount the play of Bowers. Bowers caught everything thrown his way last season and also is a very good blocker.

There were comments here on how Kuntz was going to make a big splash this year, but I don't see it unless there are injuries. He may be used in some special packages or come in as a 4th outside receiver. On 1st and 2nd downs one or both of Freiermuth and Bowers will keep the D honest and help the young RB's make big plays....

 

[royboy]

Yep, and some here continue to discount the play of Bowers. Bowers caught everything thrown his way last season and also is a very good blocker.

There were comments here on how Kuntz was going to make a big splash this year, but I don't see it unless there are injuries, or he is used in some special packages or comes in as a 4th WR. On 1st and 2nd downs one or both of Freiermuth and Bowers will keep the D honest and help the young RB's make big plays....

I agree that Bowers is a definite contributor, and Freiermuth is a rising star. Still think there can be a role for Kuntz if he has progressed.

The thought of a red zone offense with two TEs and a big, tough runner in Stevens at QB seems like a winner.

 

[Obliviax]

Friermuth at 262 is going to be an absolute bull to try and bring down for DB's. Plus good size for blocking and sealing the end. He surprised me with how good a blocker he is and willing to mix it up blocking.

I look for an AA season for this kid. He's the complete package...Barkley at TE. If I am CJF, I am doing a lot of planning to keep him involved.

 

[djr4rebs]

Toney losing 5? It might be time to have him drop 10 more and move him to safety.

While everyone was hoping that Toney (after everyone gave up on him being moved to LB) would develop into a full time DE, it truly seems that his niche is going to be pass rush specialist. If he can give us 5 or more sacks rushing the QB, that's wonderful. Any depth he provides would be an added bonus.

Fully expect guys like Oweh and Tarburton to be more along the lines of the hold the edge, stop the run, rush the pass DEs everyone assumed Toney would grow into.

 

[PearlSUJam]

While everyone was hoping that Toney (after everyone gave up on him being moved to LB) would develop into a full time DE, it truly seems that his niche is going to be pass rush specialist.

I'm not sure about his pass coverage skills, but if he could add 10 more pounds it's possible he could be a menace OLB in a 3-4 scheme at the next level.

 

[GregInPitt]

I agree that Bowers is a definite contributor, and Freiermuth is a rising star. Still think there can be a role for Kuntz if he has progressed.

The thought of a red zone offense with two TEs and a big, tough runner in Stevens at QB seems like a winner.

Yep, I agree, if he is the receiving TE he was projected to be, within some packages. I just don't expect him to take the team by storm as some predicted.... Not with Freiermuth and Bowers looking so good and the advantage those 2 add to the run game.....

 

[royboy]

I look for an AA season for this kid. He's the complete package...Barkley at TE. If I am CJF, I am doing a lot of planning to keep him involved.

There are potential A-As and certainly All-Conference players on the roster
Parsons, Friermuth, and Hamler are on that list, and guys like Dotson and Slade could also break out

What do they have in common?
Sophomores in eligibility

 

[nitlion93]

My biggest concerns are with Katshir, Toney, and Hawkins. They have been in the program for at least a year and at those weights, I don’t see them as being effective at their respective positions. Still have time to develop, but with the other talent coming in, I just don’t see them making any huge impacts.

 

[GregInPitt]

My biggest concerns are with Katshir, Toney, and Hawkins. They have been in the program for at least a year and at those weights, I don’t see them as being effective at their respective positions. Still have time to develop, but with the other talent coming in, I just don’t see them making any huge impacts.

Toney can still fill the role that he has done well at, as a pure speed rushing DE. But without dominating DT play is there a place for a 235 lb every down DE on a top Defense? Surely the bigger up and coming DE's will be better options on 1st and 2nd downs.

Hawkins has an NFL pedigree, so his weight training likely began long ago, which makes his wt. loss (if accurate) that much more surprising.

With Katshir we will just have to wait until Spring practice concludes to see where he fits in......

 

[Obliviax]

My biggest concerns are with Katshir, Toney, and Hawkins. They have been in the program for at least a year and at those weights, I don’t see them as being effective at their respective positions. Still have time to develop, but with the other talent coming in, I just don’t see them making any huge impacts.

Agree...we will play against some good OL's with good power running games. Job one for any defense is to stop the run. We should, however, be much improved at LB.

 

[djr4rebs]

I'm not sure about his pass coverage skills, but if he could add 10 more pounds it's possible he could be a menace OLB in a 3-4 scheme at the next level.

I would say any NFL future probably will depend on that to some degree.

Agree...we will play against some good OL's with good power running games. Job one for any defense is to stop the run. We should, however, be much improved at LB.

The best (in our conference) power running team we played last season (Michigan) probably won't be a power running team this year due to Gattis. Sparty probably becomes the de facto #1 on our schedule with the Buckeyes close behind.

Having a pass rush specialist DE is a good thing. Toney isn't needed to provide 3 down depth every series. With his weight, I don't think it's remotely expected.

 

[bison13]

Sometimes the goal for certain players is to cut down the bad weight to then ba able to only gain good weight maybe that was the plan with a few

 

[Kmase21]

Not sure, but KJ doesn't appear to have the frame to add much weight. He's not magically going to grow 3-4" either. Probably best to keep him light and shifty. I expect him to develop into our "Hollywood" Brown this year. It will be criminal if he doesn't tear the top off defenses.

I thought Jonathan Holland went by Hollywood on the team.

Speaking of him, I dont see him mentioned above, he has a year of eligibility left I thought?

 

[djr4rebs]

I thought Jonathan Holland went by Hollywood on the team.

Speaking of him, I dont see him mentioned above, he has a year of eligibility left I thought?

I was referring to the Oklahoma WR. Forget his first name, but he was electric fast.

Unsure about Holland...

 

[BobPSU92]

I get what your saying but the S&C program when Dwill was there is Highschool compared to what it is now.

HIT.

 

[MJG-90]

Sometimes the goal for certain players is to cut down the bad weight to then ba able to only gain good weight maybe that was the plan with a few

This is likely the case. It's difficult to lose fat and put on muscle at the same time. You have eat a surplus of calories to add muscle. You have to eat a calorie deficit to lose fat. In theory you can burn fat as energy to build muscle, but it's very difficult to do.

 

[BobPSU92]

Sometimes the goal for certain players is to cut down the bad weight to then ba able to only gain good weight maybe that was the plan with a few

You're only confusing people. No one here knows anything about "good weight".

 

[anon_1eeb2b426hv3y]

Yep, the pictures I saw of him during Winter workouts show him to be quite a specimen, especially for a QB.

Only 2 lbs less than Toney, the DE who was never likely to grow into a viable DE. Gosh I hope I’m wrong there but the kid’s got the frame of a LB and always has.

 

[83wuzme]

Yep, and some here continue to discount the play of Bowers. Bowers caught everything thrown his way last season and also is a very good blocker.

There were comments here on how Kuntz was going to make a big splash this year, but I don't see it unless there are injuries, or he is used in some special packages or comes in as a 4th WR. On 1st and 2nd downs one or both of Freiermuth and Bowers will keep the D honest and help the young RB's make big plays....

Yeah, Bowers was a pleasant surprise last season. He really paid his dues to get there.

 

[GregInPitt]

I thought Jonathan Holland went by Hollywood on the team.

Speaking of him, I dont see him mentioned above, he has a year of eligibility left I thought?

Yep, Holland is on the roster (6'4", 252). It will be a big Spring for him, but Bowers has been ahead of him whenever Bowers has been healthy. Likely that Holland will be the 3rd string 1st & 2nd down TE (run/pass, all around TE), unless there are injuries...