STATE COLLEGE — With the kickoff of the 2024 Penn State football season just over 100 days away, the Nittany Lions will need players to step up all over the field.
As the team settles into new coordinators on both sides of the ball and fills spots left by players gone to the NFL, here are five players that could have a major impact for Penn State this fall:
KJ Winston, S
Junior safety KJ Winston was a breakout star for Penn State last season, starting all 13 games in the secondary.
Winston was an All-Big Ten honorable mention, racking up a team-high 61 tackles (34 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, an interception and five pass breakups. He was also one of the bright spots for the Nittany Lions in the Nov. 11 loss to Michigan as he made a career-high 12 tackles (five solo).
With what the team lost in Kalen King and Johnny Dixon, as well as Keaton Ellis, expect Winston to be more than just an honorable mention in the Big Ten this season.
Omari Evans, WR
The wide receiver position has even more question marks heading into the fall as leading receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith bolted for Auburn, Dante Cephas left for Kansas State and Malik McClain recently relocated to Arizona State this offseason.
Going into the spring, the wide receiver room looked like it was coming into form with the addition of Ohio State transfer Julian Fleming. Now, the only sure things appear to be Fleming and playmaking, but injury-plagued receiver Harrison Wallace III.
While Fleming and Wallace will be expected to carry a fair share of the receiving load, one player that could be a potential wild card is junior Omari Evans.
Evans appeared in nine games in 2023, finishing with four catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. In a limited sample size, Evans averaged 10.4 yards per catch and had a 60-yard grab in the regular season finale against Michigan State last November.
Under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, a lot of eyes will be on the Penn State receiving corps and how quarterback Drew Allar can get the ball to them. Evans could emerge as an X-factor for the Nittany Lions this fall.
Jamieal Lyons, DE
Sophom*ore defensive end Jamieal Lyons is a player who started to flash with the injury to Chop Robinson last season. Lyons, who has bulked up to 252 pounds with his 6-foot-5 frame, is arguably the most athletic defensive end on the roster outside of converted end Abdul Carter.
Lyons appeared in eight games in 2023, registering six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry. Losing Robinson and Adisa Isaac to the NFL, the Nittany Lions should get a breakout year from rising junior Dani Dennis-Sutton but don’t be surprised if Lyons gets more people talking sooner rather than later.
“It’s just a humbling experience, being around NFL talent like that,” Lyons said in February. “Not just Chop and Adisa, we’ve got other D-ends like Amin Vanover, Zuriah Fisher. Being around all those guys, in general, it’s just a humbling experience. You learn so many different things, so many different pass techniques, so many run stops and moves. As a freshman being around Chop and Adisa with their type of capability as pass rushers getting to the quarterback, it’s a good skill set (to emulate).”
Cam Miller, CB
With Kalen King and Johnny Dixon gone, junior cornerback Cam Miller comes into focus for the Nittany Lions this season.
As a sophom*ore, Miller played in 13 games — tallying 24 total tackles with four tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception and a pass breakup.
King and Dixon both opting out of the Peach Bowl set Miller up to start in a big spot and he delivered, notching five total tackles (four solo) and a pass breakup against Ole Miss.
“That game was definitely pivotal in my development,” Miller said during spring camp. “I felt like I needed that. If I want to be who I say I’m gonna be, I needed that moment. That was my first time really being thrown out there, being able to play the majority of the game versus a high-powered offense, so I know what it takes.”
Miller will have to compete with SEC newcomers Jalen Kimber and AJ Harris for a starting job in training camp.
“We’re all hungry,” Miller said. “We all want the same goal, so there’s like a bunch of wild men out there giving their best effort. It’s really exciting to be a part of.”
Tony Rojas, LB
Sophom*ore Tony Rojas is a player many are high on going into the 2024 season.
As a true freshman, Rojas appeared in all 13 games on defense and special teams — making 21 tackles (seven solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and an interception.
Abdul Carter making the move to defensive end opens up the opportunity for the former four-star high school recruit to ascend into a potential starting role in Year 2.
“I’d say I’ve definitely got more confidence from last season, not just spring ball but going into the season, too,” Rojas said after the Blue-White game in April. “The whole process, my confidence got higher. Playing with Kobe (King) and the older guys, I really know what they’re doing and they just make the job way easier with spiking gaps and just playing linebacker. For me, it’s just confidence. That’s really my biggest thing right now, and I feel like it’s way higher than last spring.”
SHANE THOMAS covers Penn State athletics for CNHI newspapers.
