Penn State’s Class of 2022 raises expectations after making immediate impact

Penn State has had higher-ranked recruiting classes that included many future NFL draft picks.

But the Nittany Lions haven’t had a class in a long while, if ever, that made such an immediate impact as their 2022 class.

Freshmen such as running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, offensive tackle Drew Shelton, linebacker Abdul Carter, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton and defensive tackle Zane Durant made significant contributions to Penn State’s 11-2 season last year.

Add quarterback Drew Allar, wide receivers Omari Evans and Kaden Saunders, guard Vega Ioane, cornerback Cam Miller and safety KJ Winston, who will play larger roles this season and beyond, and it’s understandable why Penn State has such high hopes for 2023-24.

“If you hung around us, you could see how it’s not like teammates or friends,” Carter said. “It’s a brotherhood. We can always talk to each other. We can depend on each other for anything outside football. On the field we’re obviously talented.”

Carter wasn’t one of the premier recruits in the class coming out of La Salle College High School in Philadelphia. But he wound up leading the Lions in sacks last season and becoming one of four classmates to be named a Freshman All-American, along with Singleton, Allen and Dennis-Sutton.

Singleton, the former Gov. Mifflin star, and Allen, his running mate, became the first pair of Big Ten freshmen to rush for at least 700 yards. Singleton ran for 1,061 yards and a Penn State freshman-record 12 touchdowns, and Allen finished with 867 yards and 10 TDs.

Their emergence led to the transfers of veterans Keyvone Lee, Devyn Ford and Caziah Holmes.

“Every week there was a loaded box,” running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider said about opposing defenses. “I saw more eight-man boxes last year than in the six years I’ve been here. We didn’t get that when Miles (Sanders) was here. We didn’t get that when Journey (Brown) was here.

“Nick grew up as the season went on. I thought he played his best football the last six games, even though he had bigger rushing totals in some other games. Kaytron just has a great feel for the game of football and how to play the position as a running back. The beauty of it is that we’re still tapping into it.”

Singleton, Allen and a talented and deep offensive line figure to help Allar in his first year as the starting quarterback.

Allar is the highest-rated quarterback that coach James Franklin has recruited to Penn State. He has great size (6-5, 242), tremendous poise and a powerful arm.

“He’s able to make people defend the entire field because of his arm,” Franklin said in June. “Most college defenses will give you something because most college quarterbacks can’t make passes like an out or a hitch to the (weak) side.

“He has the ability to make those throws and make you defend the 53 and a third (yards, the entire width of the field), which is really valuable.”

Evans, a former high school quarterback in Texas, has emerged as the leading candidate to be the third starting wide receiver mostly because of his ridiculous speed. He made five catches for 55 yards and a TD last season while learning the position.

Then there’s Saunders, who was one of the highest-rated members of the class coming out of high school near Columbus, Ohio. Now that he’s thicker and stronger, he’s expected to be part of the rotation at receiver.

Shelton, the former Downingtown West standout, filled in nicely at left tackle in the final five games after projected first-round draft pick Olu Fashanu was injured. Shelton has worked out at left and right tackle this camp and probably will be the top backup behind Fashanu and Caedan Wallace.

At 6-4 and 350 pounds, Ioane is a mountain of a man. He played in four games last season and might push incumbents Landon Tengwall and Sal Wormley for playing time.

On defense, Carter flashed his athleticism throughout last season and finished second on the team in tackles and tackles for loss. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz might use him the way he used safety Ji’Ayir Brown last season, lining him up in multiple positions.

“He’s got a chance to be a dominating football player,” Diaz said. “He may not have as many sacks this year because there might be plays he flushes the quarterback and Chop Robinson tackles him.

“Abdul will be able to make plays that affect us winning football games similar to what Ji’Ayir Brown did a year ago. Those were game-winning plays. Abdul has that ability to help us win the same way.”

Dennis-Sutton might be Penn State’s breakout player this season with his burst on the outside. With Robinson and Adisa Isaac, he gives the Lions three premier pass rushers.

“He’s going to have a big year for us,” Franklin said. “I couldn’t be more excited about him.”

Durant, Miller and Winston all are expected to see a lot of playing time, Durant and Winston perhaps as starters. Durant, Carter and Singleton all made The Athletic’s Freaks List, which identifies the most athletic players in college football.

If Penn State can play at a championship level this season and next, the Class of 2022 will play a large hand in that success.

“We’re capable of anything,” Singleton said. “We know we can put up a lot of points this year because of the players who are coming back, the players who are developing. I feel good about our defense. They’ve been doing a great job.

“Everything is kind of slowing down (for him and his classmates). The expectations we have this year, I just can’t wait.”