Penn State Spring Practice Observations: Intensity Building as Blue-White Game Nears

Nick Singleton laughed with running backs coach Stan Drayton after violently pushing a sled during Tuesday’s Penn State practice. The mood in the room was positive for about as long as the offense and defense were separated. And then, suddenly, the tone shifted within Holuba Hall. The horn sounded and Period 8 began. It was time for red zone one-on-ones.

The season is still about five months away. But with the April 26 spring game nearing, position battles are heating up and practices are becoming more intense. Tuesday marked the local media’s second practice viewing session since spring practice began last week. Here are some observations from the latest glimpse of the Nittany Lions.

ONE-ON-ONE OBSERVATIONS

Audavion Collins has a job to win, and he was letting everybody know it on Tuesday. The redshirt junior cornerback was in the face of every wide receiver he matched up with: Devonte Ross, Kyron Hudson and Josiah Brown. And Collins didn’t just talk, he made plays, breaking up passes targeted to all three receivers.

There’s pressure surrounding both Hudson and Ross, who have just weeks remaining before James Franklin will have to decide whether it’s necessary to add another starting receiver in the transfer portal. In a small sample on Tuesday, Hudson struggled against some of Penn State’s top defensive backs. 

Hudson almost completed an incredible, leaping grab, but cornerback Elliot Washington II knocked the ball out at the last second. Hudson was later stopped by Collins and A.J. Harris. It was true freshman wide receiver Lyrick Samuel who stole the spotlight during Tuesday’s one-on-ones, using his 6-foot-4 frame to leap over Jon Mitchell for a one-handed catch.

TROY HUHN SIGHTING

Troy Huhn still has about nine months before he’s set to join the Nittany Lions in January, but the four-star quarterback is already paying close attention in practice. Huhn was in attendance on Tuesday, and wore a play sheet on his right wrist as he watched Drew Allar and the other Penn State quarterbacks take reps. 

Huhn is one of nine members of the Nittany Lions’ 2026 class so far, and the lone quarterback. He is set to join an Allar-less quarterback room next season, currently consisting of Ethan Grunkemeyer, Jaxon Smolik and Bekkem Kritza.

A FEW NOTABLE ABSENCES

Franklin told reporters last week that Penn State will “probably” base out of a 4-2-5 defense this season, meaning the team is in search of a starting nickel back. The two most likely candidates for this role are safety King Mack and cornerback Zion Tracy, neither of whom were present during Tuesday’s viewing session.

Mack was seen with a cast on his right hand while attending the Nittany Lions’ Pro Day on Friday, but it’s unclear what Tracy’s status is as the spring game nears.

Also absent was starting defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, a key returnee expected to fill Abdul Carter’s void on the edge.