Who Else to Watch in Penn State's 2023 Freshman Class

Eleven Lions enrolled early and tackled spring drills. The next wave of freshmen brings more impact players.

Matthew O'Haren/USA Today Sports

Nearly half of Penn State's 2023 recruiting class got a jump on the season, enrolling early to participate in winter workouts and spring practice. Among the 11 players who introduced themselves at the Blue-White Game were linebacker Tony Rojas (team-high nine tackles), defensive back Elliot Washington II (three tackles) and quarterback Jaxon Smolik.

But more potential early contributors arrived in May and June, as the Lions' 12 remaining freshmen joined the program. There's talent here, which will unveil itself further when Penn State opens training camp in early August. Let's look at some Lions who might be quick to impress this season.

King Mack

The defensive back from Miami's St. Thomas Aquinas joins a crowded secondary that includes three early enrollees: Washington, Lamont Payne, Jr. and Zion Tracy. But Mack, a two-time captain for one of the nation's top high school programs, is a playmaker. He made nine interceptions the past two seasons at St. Thomas Aquinas and is a Broward County two-time defensive player of the year. Chuck Losey, Penn State's strength coach, called Mack "wildly explosive" with all the athletic traits necessary to play defensive back. Mack certainly could carve a role on defense or special teams.

Andrew Rappleyea

Penn State recruited three strong tight ends in the class, including early enrollees Mega Barnwell and Joey Schlaffer. Rappleyea (6-4, 235 pounds) was a 4-star prospect and the No. 6 tight end recruit in the country, according to 247Sports. The team MVP at Milton Academy (N.Y.) scored six offensive touchdowns last season while adding two interceptions on defense. He's a physical player, a trait that gets tight ends onto the field early for coach James Franklin. And offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich certainly found new ways to deploy tight ends last season.

DaKaari Nelson

The Alabama native was a three-time all-state player at Selma High, where he also set a school record in the 400-meter run. Nelson, who qualified for the state track championships in the 200, brings size (he's 6-3, 200) and speed to the secondary. He's also a leader, having been a four-time team captain. Again, Penn State is rich with cornerbacks and safeties, but players with size and speed earn special teams time quickly.

Kaveion Keys

Two linebackers, Rojas and Ta'Mere Robinson, enrolled early, giving them a head start. But Keys, a 4-star prospect and top-10 player from Virginia, could ramp up in a hurry. An all-state linebacker at Varina High, which has produced some strong Penn State players, Keys must add to his 195-pound frame. But young linebackers (Kobe King, Abdul Carter, Rojas) have made quick strides recently. Keys could be another, at least on special teams.

J'ven Williams

The No. 1 player in Pennsylvania for the 2022 recruiting cycle, Williams is a future standout offensive lineman. He's 6-5, 290 pounds with plenty of room, and time, to grow. The Lions likely won't need him this season, which should benefit Williams' development process, but he could follow the Drew Shelton path and play if necessary.

Losey called Williams, who enrolled early, powerful but raw while possessing the attitude to turn that rawness into strength. Offensive line coach Phil Trautwein sees Williams' potential but doesn't want him to get too far ahead.

"He's never been in a 2-point stance," Trautwein said. "... He has the athleticism, he has the want, he has the grit, he has the power. We just have to work to get it out of him."  

Cam Wallace

Running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider likes to say that Penn State "might have stole one" in Wallace, a 3-star back from a small high school in Georgia. Wallace has "explosive" speed, which he proved as the state runner-up in the 200-meter dash, and has the chance to carve a backfield role.

"He's got juice, real juice," Seider said. "That's what I love about going to the country areas in that part of Georgia [Montgomery County High in Mount Vernon]. You can still find a kid that people overlooked. We're really excited about him."

London Montgomery

The running back from Scranton Prep is among this class' more interesting prospects. He rushed for 2,356 yards and 36 touchdowns as a junior, prompting Franklin to suggest that Montgomery might have topped 3,000 yards as a senior. But Montgomery sustained an injury before the season that makes him one of the class' great secrets.

"When you get hurt and don't play your senior year, there's not a lot of people talking about you," Franklin said. "But you watch his junior year tape, it's really good."

Montgomery has a way to go as he continues rehab, but Seider said the freshman has taken the deep breath necessary to understand where he stands in the backfield. 

"He's still recovering and at that stage where he hasn't had the chance to open it up," Seider said. "But if you go back and watch his junior year [film], when he was healthy, you get really excited about him. They [Wallace and Montgomery] have ability to take the handoff and go 80 yards."

Penn State opens the 2023 season Sept. 2 at home against West Virginia. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

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