QB Grunk, Smolik
RB Wallace, Martin
TE Reynolds, Rapp
OL Birchmeier, Williams, Onoh, Ioane, Donkoh, Cousins, Shanahan
WR Denmark, Samuel, Outten, Exinor, Howard
IMO that's a reasonably strong group. We would need a proven WR & RB
DE Granville, Coleman, Kemaiou, plus a couple of our 4* underclassmen
DT White, Blanding, Andrews, Wafle
LB Rojas, Campbell, Wylie, Tasch, Arrington
CB Collins, Tracy, Collins (I assume Harris will go to NFL)
S Mack, Lane, Belgrave Shorter
DT is very weak and so is LB if we don't get Rojas and Campbell back. We could also use a couple of DBs.
I assume we get Barker back but have to replace Nwosu
Botton line: Go all in on keeping current players then add a WR, RB, DT, LB, and 2 DBs in the portal.
Thats a great start but I don't believe either Loane or Donkoh will return as they both are likely draft choices. I'll give a try to expand on what you have.
QB Grunk, Smolik - I believe Campbell will bring in a QB with more experience and mobility than Grunk.
RB (Wallace, Martin, Smith, Coleman, Hayes) I group these all together because for whoever stays and whoever come in, if any, there will be a real start from scratch competition. We could be surprised with Coleman or Hayes being in the top rotation as they seemed to impress the staff with Coleman only showing up in the summer.
TE Reynolds, Rapp - the last few games seem to have Rapp as PSU's #1 TE as he seems to be an NFL ready blocker and as good a receiver as Reynold. Would also be great to Keep Olesh or at least one of the 2 other true freshmen TE's
OL I'll try and get positions for the OL guys that can come back minus Loane and Donkoh who I see as likely gone to the NFL
OT - Goodman, Sexton, Boyer, Alicine, possibly Williams.
Guard - Shanahan or Cousins, Williams if not at OT, Birchmeier, Onoh, Brewer, Harbour,
Center - Shanahan or Cousins, Troutman as the backup
WR Howard as one starter with the other WR's as starters and key rotational players from amongDenmark, Samuel, Outten, Exinor, Howard, and more than likely from incoming transfers.
IMO that's a reasonably strong group. We would need a proven WR & RB
DE Top 4 being Granville, Coleman, and Kemaiou and Harvey. Then from among Robinson, Williams, Burnett, Harris and Jennings. If somehow almost all of the DE's stay there's not much need for transfers
DT White, Blanding, Andrews, Wafle as well as Cook and Adirika. Wouldn't surprise me to see a couple losses to transfers here which would increase the already present need for incoming transfers.
LB Rojas, Campbell, Tatsch, Arrington would seem to be a pretty strong group if they all stay. Would also be great to see Speca return (don't know why he didn't play more this season - injured?) and possibly Smith. I'll be surprised if either Wylie or Nelson return as they seem to have gotten beaten out too many times already.
CB Collins, Tracy, Dixon, and Joseph would form a great top 4 (Harris to NFL), then maybe Johnson and Thomas (PA kid) return. A strong group if they all return.
S Mack, Lane, Belgrave-Shorter, Toure - a strong group if they all return. But only Thomas behind them if he returns. Likely need incoming portal help, only a young developmental player if they all return or starter quality player or two if some leave.
Another comment: The fact that PSU struck out with the 2026 class could help Terry and Campbell get more of the 2025 and 2024 classes players to return as their prospects for playing time in 2026 and beyond seem to increase. But we'll just have to see what the players think of Campbell running things with Terry still being an intergral part of the staff.
