Penn State Football has announced multiple additions to the Nittany Lions for 2023. Many of these were already known, but the school has officially made announcements this week about the commitments via their social media. The Nittany Lions are always looking for new players to join their squad as they push to make college football playoffs as early as the 2023 season. Here is a brief look at the players that Penn State football has officially announced.
Penn State Football Announce Commitments
This week, Penn State football officially announced the commitment of five new players. Here is a brief look at the Nittany Lions’ newest additions.
DT Alonzo Ford (5) – Keith Lucas/Sideline Media
Audavion Collins – DB
Defensive back Audavion Collins committed to the Nittany Lions, transferring from Mississippi State. Collins never got a chance to play for his last school but could get a chance this season. The top two defensive backs this season will most likely be Johnny Dixon and Kalen King, but behind them could end up being Collins. More on the Mississippi State defensive back can be read here.
Alonzo Ford Jr. – DT
Alonzo Ford Jr. is a defensive tackle that Penn State has recently announced. The defensive tackle is transferring from Old Dominion, where he spent three years. He was redshirted the first year but did get to play in games in 2021 and 2022. Last season, Ford played in 12 games where he had 32 combined tackles, 14 of which were solo, and 3.5 sacks, according to Sports Reference. He also had five tackles for loss. In 2022 he had no turnovers, but in 2021, Ford did force a fumble and recovered one as well. Ford will make a nice addition to this tough Nittany Lions defense.
Addison Penn – OL
Offensive lineman Addison Penn will be a junior in 2023. He is joining Penn State from the Duke Blue Devils. He only appeared in three games for Duke in 2022 and five in 2021. There may not be a lot of information on Penn, but he will be a strong addition to Penn State in 2023.
Former Minnesota Gophers RB Trey Potts (3) – Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune
Trey Potts – RB
Running back Trey Potts will be transferring from Minnesota. Potts did graduate from Minnesota after four years there, which is known through his Instagram, and will be starting a new chapter with Penn State football in 2023. Potts played in 12 games in 2022. He had 101 rushing attempts for 471 yards and three touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. He also had three receptions for 23 yards. Potts will most likely not become the top running back for the Nittany Lions due to a great duo with Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. He will still be a solid addition, and he can continue playing the sport he loves.
Dante Cephas – WR
Wide receiver Dante Cephas is a big addition to Penn State football. The six-foot-one wide receiver from Kent State could compete to play for the Nittany Lions in 2023. Penn State lost Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley to the 2023 draft. KeAndre Lambert-Smith is the expected top receiver, but aside from him, anything can happen in that position. Cephas spent four years at Kent State.
In 2022, he played nine games where he had 48 receptions for 744 total yards, according to Sports Reference. He also had three touchdowns and averaged 15.5 yards per reception. Cephas will be a name to watch as the season gets closer. It is important to remember that 2022 was Tinsley’s only season at Penn State, and he stood out enough to enter the draft and be picked. The same could potentially happen to Cephas this season.
Penn State football has announced five new transfers. The Nittany Lions have had an eventful transfer portal since the season ended. The team is young, with a second-year quarterback and running backs ready to take the lead. The season will begin September 2nd against West Virginia.
