New Penn State football roster sheds light on future of key veterans

Monday was the first day of the spring semester at University Park, which means it’s officially time for the Penn State football program to turn the page to the 2024 season. The Nittany Lions took the first steps in that direction today, with the release of a new roster. More than merely a clerical change, this updated roster is filled with intrigue, as it helps to shed light on the status of multiple key veterans whose futures were in question. The roster is headlined by the return of several key Nittany Lions, including KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Sal Wormley, Coziah Izzard, and Tyler Elsdon.

Key veterans remain on Penn State football roster update

Penn State football has slowly been figuring out its roster for 2024 since the 2023 regular season ended on November 24. The Nittany Lions have lost nine underclassmen to the NFL Draft, with four additional players exhausting their eligibility after the Peach Bowl. Penn State is also losing three scholarship players to the transfer portal, headlined by Dante Cephas, while several walk-ons are no longer with the program.

On the flip side, the Nittany Lions have had several playmakers announce their returns for 2024 leading up to and following the bowl. The Penn State offense received a significant boost when Tyler Warren made his plans to return for an additional year known. On the defensive side, veteran DTs Hakeem Beamon and Dvon Ellies each announced their returns in the last week.

But there are still several players who have not made their future plans public. Monday’s roster update helps clarify their statuses, at least for the time being. The official deadline to declare for the NFL Draft is January 15, so, for some, technically that could change. But with the transfer portal window officially closed, it’s fair to assume these Nittany Lions will remain with the Penn State football program at least through the spring.

On offense, the most notable returning names are KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Sal Wormley. Lambert-Smith’s future with Penn State seemed uncertain after the Peach Bowl. The Nittany Lions’ leading WR was almost nonexistent over the final month of the season, recording two catches in the last three games. The return of Sal Wormley will provide veteran leadership to an offensive line losing three starters.

Defensively, Penn State football appears to be retaining a veteran presence among the front seven. In addition to Ellies and Beamon, the Nittany Lions look to be retaining DT Coziah Izzard. At DE, the loss of Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac will be countered by the return of Amin Vanover and Smith Vilbert, the latter of whom missed the 2023 season with an injury. Behind them, MLB Tyler Elsdon is poised to return for a final season.

Who is missing from the roster?

Monday’s update will not be the final iteration of the Penn State football roster this winter. In fact, there are several more updates still to be made.

The Nittany Lions’ recent transfer portal additions have not been added to this current roster. Ex-Ohio State WR Julian Fleming will join KeAndre Lambert-Smith in the Penn State WR room, while former five-star Nolan Rucci will join Sal Wormley on the offensive interior. Penn State football is still the leader for former Georgia CB AJ Harris, who has yet to commit.

Penn State’s 16 early enrollee freshmen must also be added to the roster. RB Quinton Martion, OL Cooper Cousins, and TE Luke Reynolds headline the early additions on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, Tyler Elsdon, Amin Vanover, and Coziah Izzard will be joined by players such as Liam Andrews, Jon Mitchell, and T.A. Cunningham.