Penn State Football Penn State football head coach James Franklin takes a question during a press conference at football media day in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in State College.

Penn State Football: James Franklin Announces Special Teams Starter Change

Originally posted on Nittany Central | By Robert Casturo | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 5:28 PM ET

On the heels of Penn State Football’s first win of the season, head coach James Franklin met with the media for his weekly press conference Monday.

While Franklin answered plenty of questions on Penn State’s personnel and the Nittany Lions’ play against Nevada, Franklin made a surprising announcement regarding one of Penn State’s starters on special teams.

Penn State Football Makes Punting Change

Franklin announced Monday that Gabe Nwosu has replaced Riley Thompson as Penn State’s starting punter.

Thompson, a senior from Australia, had been Penn State’s starting punter for the past two seasons, and was expected to remain in that position, despite offseason rumblings of a competition between Thompson and Nwosu.

Thompson had performed well as the Nittany Lions punter over the past two seasons, averaging 44.2 yards per punt (third best all-time at Penn State).

Instead, the 6-foot-6 inch, 297 pound Nwosu will step into the starting position at punter alongside his other starting role as a kickoff specialist. In making the announcement,

James Franklin noted that Nwosu is as close to Jordan Stout as the Nittany Lions have seen in the past few years.

Penn State’s punter did not see the field this weekend against Nevada, which is likely why Franklin made the announcement at his weekly press conference.

This article first appeared on Nittany Central and was syndicated with permission.

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