UNIVERSITY PARK — Dvon J-Thomas, who was formerly known as Dvon Ellies, has seen a lot in his six years as a Penn State defensive tackle. Penn State has been to three New Years Six bowl games in his time on campus, and he’s also gone through one losing season and another 7-6 season.
The All-Big Ten honorable mention pick in 2023 may have made his most significant change off the field over the offseason with his name change. It was a noble gesture made in honor of his parents.
Thomas is the last name of his father, Sean, while the J stands for Jennings, the maiden name of his mother, Repa.
“It was a long time coming,” J-Thomas said at Saturday’s media day. “My parents sacrificed so much for me. I was the only Ellies in the family, so it was only right for me to change my name.”
J-Thomas is only one member of what may be the strongest position group of the team: defensive linemen.
“He’s just an awesome kid,” Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen said. “We’ve spent a lot of time together. I love his passion for what he does. He’s a really good communicator. He listens well, and I think he cares a whole bunch. He wants to be a leader.”
Most will pay attention to star defensive ends Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton on the unit, but coach James Franklin said some of their ends don’t get talked about enough, including Amin Vanover and Smith Vilbert.
“Amin Vanover isn’t going to jump out on the stat sheet, but his effect on the game is so much more than that,” J-Thomas said. “And Smith Vilbert is a sixth year senior. He’s an older guy. Every opportunity he’s had he’s played extremely hard.”
“You don’t realize that there’s other guys that are also really good,” Allen said. “They’re either waiting in the wings or they’re waiting for an opportunity. The bottom line is they’re talented guys. They’re going to make us better.”
JAMEIAL LYONS, KAVEION KEYS DISMISSED FROM PENN STATE
Blue-White Illustrated reported Saturday morning that defensive end Jameial Lyons and linebacker Kaveion Keys were dismissed from the team. The two were placed on interim suspension while handing a personal matter earlier last week.
A Penn State spokesperson confirmed before Franklin’s press conference Saturday that Lyons and Keys were dismissed from the team and from the university, and the program would have no further comment on the situation.
ANOTHER KICKING COMPETITION
For the second straight year, there is a battle in preseason camp for the starting placekicker.
This year, it’s a three-man race between redshirt junior Sander Sahaydak, junior Chase Meyer, and redshirt freshman Ryan Barker.
Meyer, a transfer from Tulsa, was placed on the Lou Groza Award watch list last week. As a sophomore, Meyer was a third-team All-AAC selection and converted 17 of 20 field goal attempts.
“I think the competition is really important,” Franklin said. “Having three guys there, two of which have kicked in college games, I think is really important.”
Sahaydak won the job last season out of camp, but struggled with two missed field goals inside of 40 yards in the first half of last year’s opening game against West Virginia. He did not get another field goal attempt the rest of the season as he lost the starting job to Alex Felkins.
“I think it taught me a lot about just focusing on yourself,” Sahaydak said. “It’s not easy to come back in Sunday afternoon. You have to shut your phone off. It kind of teaches you to trust everything you’ve done, and know that there’s good people around you. Get back on the horse and keep going.”
“Sander has grown a lot and learned from that experience,” Franklin said. “In terms of just pure talent of kicking the ball, he’s impressive. We’ll see how this plays out, but the competition has been really good. I think the game experience could and will factor into the decision process.”
2-MINUTE WARNING
In April, the NCAA approved the two-minute warning at the end of each half.
While both Allen and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki both noted that it would allow for another media timeout, it is another situation that every team will have to practice.
“I think it’s probably a positive thing overall,” Kotelnicki said. “I appreciate that between the NFL and college, we’re getting closer and closer to doing things very similar.”
Allen said that he’s not a fan of as many stoppages in play that the college game is dealing with today.
“It is what the NFL game does, and I see us becoming more like them,” Allen said. “What it does allow you to do is save a timeout.”
“It was approved, and we’ll just adapt to it.”
For some fans, the preference to college rules is more favorable compared to the NFL. Count the new offensive coordinator as part of that crew.
“I think it’s neat to some degree,” Kotelnicki said. “But hopefully we never compromise the spirit of college football.”
