New faces already catching Penn State coach James Franklin’s eye at spring football practice
Western Kentucky transfer Mitchell Tinsley looks to fill Johan Dotson's role as the team's lead wide receiver. And two freshman running backs are impressing the coaches.
The No. 6-ranked recruiting class, a highly anticipated transfer, and a plethora of stars on their way out make for all the mixings of an intriguing spring for Penn State.
Five practices in and some new faces have made their presence known to coach James Franklin and his assistants.
With potential-first-round wide receiver Jahan Dotson no longer in Happy Valley and likely headed to the NFL, a new receiver donning the No. 5 has caught the eye of some in the program.
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Wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley comes in as a fifth-year senior after two seasons at Western Kentucky, earning second-team All-Conference USA honors last season after averaging 100 yards per game.
“He’s a great fit,” Franklin said following Wednesday’s practice. “He’s polished. He’s poised. He’s got really good ball skills. He knows how to run routes.”
Two highly regarded running backs were a part of that sixth-ranked recruiting class — Nick Singleton, rated as the No. 1 back in the nation by 247 Sports, and Kaytron Allen of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
“The two freshmen have been very impressive, really since they’ve showed up on campus,” Franklin said. “Kaytron is football smart. I think his experience at IMG has put him ahead in terms of just college-level learning.
“And then Nick … he’s got tremendous burst. [He’s] powerful, strong, and [in terms of] pass protections we’ve been impressed so far.”
Singleton and Allen will compete for carries with returnees Keyvone Lee, Caziah Holmes, and Devyn Ford. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said the two freshmen will make it “ultra competitive in that room.”
The running game struggled last season (3.2 yards per carry), which Yurcich, entering his second season running Penn State’s offense, put on himself. He thinks the two newcomers will help.
“They came out of high school and physically they’re at the stage where they can do all things,” Yurcich said. “You don’t have to worry about what down it is with those guys.
“They can play on all downs because of their physical strength and their maturity.”