Penn State is less than 10 days away from opening its 2024 season and a good sign of that is the program naming its annual “kings of camp.”
PSU separates its kings based on offense and defense.
Offensively, two players were recognized, and four were on the defense.
Here’s a breakdown of the six players named.
PENN STATE OFFENSE: ‘TOUCHDOWN KINGS’
PENN STATE QB DREW ALLAR
Drew Allar celebrates a rushing touchdown in the second quarter.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the quarterback is one of Penn State’s touchdown kings. Allar is entering his second season as starter, and the key to Penn State winning a Big Ten title could rest in No. 15’s right arm.
LUKE REYNOLDS
This one is more of a surprise and a pleasant one for Penn State fans. In an offense that has playmakers such as Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Tre Wallace and fellow tight end Tyler Warren, Reynolds was one of the touchdown kings. The true freshman tight end was a five star for a reason, and received compliments from coach James Franklin earlier in camp.
“He don’t mind sticking his nose in there,” Franklin told reporters earlier this month. “Makes a ton of plays in the passing game. He’s going to be a really good player and we have great competition at the tight end position. So he’s going to be a guy that’s going to play this year, whether it is four games plus postseason or whether it’s just an all-out play is still yet to be determined.”
PENN STATE DEFENSE: TAKEAWAY KINGS
CAM MILLER
Cam Miller celebrates an Indiana muffed punt. (Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now)
Speaking of players Franklin has spoken highly of.
It’s been hard for Miller to get a ton of playing time through his first two seasons thanks to the presence of NFL-caliber corners such as Joey Porter Jr., Kalen King, Johnny Dixon and Daequan Hardy. But Miller now being one of Penn State’s more experienced players combined with the fact that Penn State’s losing King, Dixon and nickelback Hardy, there’s no reason he shouldn’t receive an uptick in playing time, if not find himself in a starting role.
ZAKEE WHEATLEY
CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 16: Penn State Nittany Lions Safety Zakee Wheatley (6) defends during the college football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Illinois Fighting Illini on September 16, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire)
Wheatley was a player Franklin and company spoke highly of this spring, and that momentum has carried over into the fall. The combination of that, safety Keaton Ellis’ departure (eligibility) and defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s plans for the defense could help Wheatley get a lot more playing time this year. Allen created the “Lion” position, which he describes as a corner/safety hybrid. When Allen last spoke with reporters in March, he said Reed was the front runner for that role. If that happens, Wheatley would likely get on the field a lot more often, pairing witch Winston.
KOLIN DINKINS
Dinkins is setting himself up to be one of Penn State’s unsung heroes. A walk-on from North Allegheny High School in the Pittsburgh Area who isn’t even the most talked about Penn State player in his immediate family, Dinkins has started working at safety. It remains to be seen how much playing time he can get in a room that has players such as Winston, Reed and Wheatley, but he’s certainly making the most of his opportunities at the moment.
DEJUAN LANE
Like Dinkins, Lane will have a hard time getting a lot of PT in Penn State’s safeties room. But the four-star freshman is turning some heads on the practice field and could be setting himself up for a solid college career.
