Black Shoe Diaries
DOMINATE THE STATE
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Only Nick Dawkins Until Penn State Football
Nick Dawkins was a three-star recruit when he joined Penn State’s 2020 recruiting class. He did not crack the starting lineup until 2024, but his impact was immediately felt on the offensive line. Dawkins earned All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2024 and won the Wuerffel Trophy for his leadership off the field. He was again […]
Penn State Hockey Freshman Profile: Ryder Fetterolf
With the 2026-27 college sports calendar drawing ever closer, I thought I would take some time to profile Penn State hockey’s incoming freshman class, starting with goaltender Ryder Fetterolf. The Skinny Height: 6’Weight: 185 poundsDOB: January 5, 2008 (age 18)Catches: LeftHometown: Pittsburgh, PANHL Draft: 2026 4th round (125th overall) by Carolina Hurricanes2025-26 Stat Line: .923 […]
Only Vaea Ikakoula Until Penn State Football
Vaea Ikakoula was a three-star recruit and the No. 15 player from Utah in the 2025 class. He originally committed to Stanford in June of 2024 before flipping to Iowa State at the end of the calendar year. He started two games for the Cyclones in 2025 and appeared in four games total. On Christmas […]
Only Chimdy Onoh Until Penn State Football
Chimdy Onoh was a four-star prospect when he joined Penn State’s 2023 recruiting class. The Maryland native was the No. 13 overall offensive lineman prospect in the 2023 class and the No. 4 player from Maryland. Despite his lofty status as a recruit, Onoh has struggled to crack the lineup at Penn State. He appeared […]
Only Alijah Carnell Until Penn State Football
Alijah Carnell was a three-star prospect from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas when he committed to Iowa State. He appeared in two games during his freshman season in 2024, making two tackles. In 2025, he appeared in six games and made six tackles and 0.5 sacks. He decided to follow Matt Campbell to […]
2026 Breakout Candidates: Wide Receiver
Penn State wide receivers have only been good vibes the last couple years. Great on the field, great in recruiting, definitely no FREAK OUTS here. Nope, no sir. Koby Howard (RS FR) I don’t know if there was a player who represented the 2025 season more than Koby Howard. Despite being a three-star prospect (he […]
Only AQ Shipley Until Penn State Football
No one has the number 57 on Penn State’s 2026 roster, so for today’s entry we are turning back the clock to one of the most decorated linemen in program history. AQ Shipley played both defensive and offensive line early in his Penn State career but was named the starting center in 2006. In 2007, […]
Summer Summary: July 9th
ICYMI-unfortunately, Penn State has had a rough couple days in recruiting. First, Khalil Taylor tossed the Nittany Lion hat aside to choose Nebraska, and then yesterday, running back Aiden Gibson reclassified to 2026 and swapped to Rutgers. Last week we looked at how Marshall was affected by the portal. This week, it’s the Winged Helmets. […]
Summer Recruiting Roundup: Pantsed
Four-Star QB Calls for Penn State Let’s start with the good news. In one of Matt Campbell’s biggest gets yet, four-star QB James Armstrong committed to Penn State on Thursday. The Aliquippa, Pa., native is considered a four-star in 247Sports’ composite rankings and is a top-10 quarterback in the Class of 2028. Armstrong made the […]
Only Landon Tengwall Until Penn State Football
With just 58 days until Penn State-Marshall, it’s time to honor former offensive lineman Landon Tengwall, who wore No. 58 for the Nittany Lions. Tengwall was recruited by James Franklin as a four-star offensive lineman and quickly made an impact both on and off the field. He redshirted his freshman year and started five games […]
Three Reasons for Concern: Penn State Offense
We’re back with one of our favorite Summer time series where we give three reasons for optimism and concern for Penn State football’s offense, defense, and special teams. Today, we address the concerns for Nittany Lion offense heading into the 2026 season. Rocco Becht has more starts than any quarterback in the nation heading into […]
2026 Breakout Candidates: Running Back
We’ve reached the end of the Allen/Singleton era in Happy Valley, and it’s time for a new regime. The Nittany Lions will now turn to a mix of familiar and fresh talent in its running back room to fill the gaps left by two of the most accomplished rushers in school history. Matt Campbell also […]
Only Tony Rojas’ Playoff Pick-Six Until Penn State Football
We’ve got 59 days until Penn State opens its season against Marshall. For 59 days, we’re reminiscing on Tony Rojas’ iconic 59-yard pick-six in the Nittany Lions’ first-ever playoff game. Welcome to Happy Valley, SMU. This may be one of my favorite Beaver Stadium moments ever. The onset of noise before the play, Rojas’ running […]
Penn State Football Position Preview: Special Teams
The Field Goals/Extra Point Guy Ryan Barker (RS Jr.) Barker was arguably one of the most important players retained by Matt Campbell’s staff, especially considering they are breaking in new starters at all the other special teams positions. Barker was damn near perfect last year, connecting on 18 of his 19 field goal attempts, making […]
Oh, Goodbye: Four-Star South Carolina RB Aiden Gibson Flips To Rutgers
Just a day after four-star PA wide receiver Khalil Taylor spurned Penn State for Nebraska, the Nittany Lions got more fantastic news as four-star South Carolina running back Aiden Gibson announced his decommitment from Penn State and flipped to Rutgers with the intention to enroll for the 2026 season. Not really much to say here […]
Three Reasons For Optimism: Offense
We’re back with one of our favorite Summer time series where we give three reasons for optimism and concern for Penn State football’s offense, defense, and special teams. Per usual, we begin with our three reasons to be optimistic about the offense in Matt Campbell’s first year in Happy Valley. 1. Rocco Becht Three-year starter […]
Only Bucky Greeley Until Penn State Football
We’re now just 60 days away from Penn State football’s season opener against Marshall. While former Penn State tight ends coach Ty Howle wore No. 60 during his time as a player in Happy Valley, we will not be celebrating him this year. That is because he is now the offensive coordinator at Virginia Tech. […]
Only Jordan Norwood’s Record-Breaking Punt Return Until Penn State Football
We’ve got 61 days left. Here’s a bit of weird Penn State football trivia. Penn State and State High’s Jordan Norwood at one point held the NFL record for the longest punt return in a Super Bowl with 61 yards. While Norwood went undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft, he eventually worked his way into […]
Only Michal Menet Until Penn State Football
It’s now just 62 days until Penn State football opens its 2026 season against Marshall. While no current players wear No. 62, two-time captain Michal Menet was the last Nittany Lion to don that number. Menet was a huge recruit in Penn State’s 2016 class, earning five-star status from 247Sports and was regarded as the […]
Only Rasheed Walker Until Penn State Football
Penn State opens its 2026 season in 63 days when the Lions are at home against Marshall. There is not a No. 63 on this year’s roster, but there is a No. 63 with Penn State ties who will be looking to make an impact in a new spot in 2026. Rasheed Walker, who was […]
Only 6-4 Until Penn State Football
Penn State kicks off its football season in 64 days against Marshall at Beaver Stadium. It would be a downright disaster if Penn State didn’t score more than four points, something it infamously did back in October 2004. While it’s a Penn State loss, it’s certainly a loss that leads you to the question of […]
Penn State Football Position Preview: Safeties
The Starters Marcus Neal, Jr. (JR) After a quiet start to his college career, Marcus Neal had a breakout season in 2025. He was named third-team All-Big 12 in 2025 and tallied 77 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack. He is a clear favorite to start for the Nittany Lions, who have had at least […]
Oh, Hello: 2028 Four-Star QB James Armstrong Commits To Penn State
THE SKINNY Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 215 poundsHometown/High School: Aliquippa, PA (Hopewell H.S.)Ranking: ★★★★ (90 Rivals — No. 101 overall, No. 9 QB)Notable Offers: Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, Pitt, West Virginia HIGHLIGHTS It’s not often Pennsylvania produces a Top 100 caliber prospect at quarterback, but when it has in recent times (Kyle McCord, Matt Zollers) they […]
Summer Summary: July 2nd
ICYMI, yesterday, Penn State officially became an Adidas school. Want to order gear? Here’s where to get it both locally and online Wondering how many players that football’s first opponent brought in for the 2026 season? Thoughts on the 2025-26 campaign from the leader of Nittany Lion athletics. Here’s a look at Penn State football […]
Only Jim Fitzgerald Until Penn State Football
The return of Penn State football is a little more than two months away from happening as the Lions will open at home against Marshall in 65 days. Wearing No. 65 for the home team this year will be redshirt senior Jim Fitzgerald, who has played in three games over the course of his time […]
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