Latest news with #NittanyLion
USA Today
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley named cover athlete for Madden 26
Former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley named cover athlete for Madden 26 Former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley's legacy continues to grow. On Monday morning, EA Sports announced Barkley will be the cover athlete for the Madden 26 video game, making him the first Nittany Lion to earn the honor. The recognition comes after a historic season for Barkley, where he set the NFL single-season rushing yards record (regular and postseason) while guiding the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl championship. He accumulated career highs with 436 carries for 2,504 yards and 20 total touchdowns, while only fumbling once, which is earning praise as one of the greatest seasons by a running back ever. The resurgence came in Barkley's first season in Philadelphia, where he had a significantly improved offensive line and other star players lining the offense, giving him the opportunity to excel in The Keystone State, where he first rose to fame as a Nittany Lion. Barkley's iconic backwards hurdle will be featured on the cover, marking one of the highlights of the 2024-25 NFL season. The game will be released on Aug. 14 on Playstation and Xbox.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Breaking down 49ers EDGE group after Bryce Huff trade with Eagles
Breaking down 49ers EDGE group after Bryce Huff trade with Eagles On Friday, ESPN's Adam Schefter shocked the NFL world when he reported that the San Francisco 49ers were finalizing a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for edge rusher Bryce Huff. Huff, 27, played collegiately at Memphis from 2016-19, earning All-AAC honors in both of his final two seasons with the Tigers before the New York Jets signed him as an undrafted free agent after the 2020 NFL draft. In four seasons with New York, Huff appeared in 54 games and recorded 65 tackles (17 for a loss), 43 quarterback hits, 17.5 sacks, three passes defensed and a forced fumble. Last year, he inked a three-year, $51.1 million deal with the Eagles, and while he missed time with a wrist injury, he finished his first season with the club with 13 tackles (three for a loss), four quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Now, he'll join a 49ers front that should wreak havoc for opposing quarterbacks. Let's take a look at the rest of the group. Nick Bosa Bosa has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the league since San Francisco took him in the first round (No. 2 overall) out of Ohio State in the 2019 NFL draft. In fact, he has the fourth-most sacks (62.5) since he entered the league, only behind Cincinnati's Trey Hendrickson (75), Cleveland's Myles Garrett (82) and Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt. In 2025, he'll be the team's top pass rusher as long as he remains healthy. Mykel Williams The 20-year-old from Georgia was the 49ers' top selection (No. 11 overall) in this year's draft after recording 67 tackles and 14 sacks in 40 career games with the Bulldogs over three years. He has the athleticism to be great, but he might need some time to develop and grow before he's truly successful. He'll probably start opposite Bosa in the team's season opener. Yetur Gross-Matos Gross-Matos was a second-round selection (No. 38 overall) of the Carolina Panthers in the 2020 NFL draft, and he signed a two-year contract with the 49ers last offseason. In 2024, he appeared in a career-low 11 games and finished with just 19 tackles (six for a loss), seven quarterback hits and four sacks. San Francisco was hoping for more. The former Nittany Lion has a chance to play a rotational role in 2025, but the addition of Huff may make him expendable, especially if San Francisco can save $4.82 million by releasing him after June 1 (per Over the Cap). Robert Beal Jr. The 26-year-old spent four years at Georgia, including one with Williams before the 49ers took him in the fifth round (No. 173 overall) in the 2023 NFL draft. He only played in four games as a rookie and then played 13.9% of the team's defensive snaps in 14 games last year, recording 11 tackles. Beal's deal is inexpensive, and he does provide some special-teams value, which should keep him around for another year. Sam Okuayinonu The Liberian Native went undrafted in 2022 following a collegiate career at Maryland that saw him earn All-Big Ten honors in his final season. After a brief stint with the Tennessee Titans in his rookie year, he signed with the 49ers for 2024. Last year, he appeared in 16 games, recording 35 tackles (six for a loss), seven quarterback hits, three sacks, a forced fumble and a pass defensed. After playing 42.2% of San Francisco's defensive snaps last year, he could play a rotational role as well in 2025. Jonathan Garvin Garvin played three years at Miami (2017-19) before the Green Bay Packers selected him in the seventh round (no. 242 overall) of the 2020 NFL draft. He spent three years in Green Bay, appearing in 38 games and recording 32 tackles (one for a loss), seven quarterback hits, two passes defensed and 1.5 sacks. He also played with UFL's Birmingham Stallions in 2024 before moving on and off San Francisco's practice squad multiple times last year. The 25-year-old will likely be fighting for a roster spot this offseason after not playing in an NFL game the last two years. Tarron Jackson Jackson, 26, was a sixth-round pick (No. 191 overall) of the Eagles in the 2021 NFL draft following a college career at Coastal Carolina that included an All-American final season. After three years in Philadelphia, he had a short tenure with the Carolina Panthers, another back with the Eagles before landing with the 49ers to end the year. However, he never played in a game for San Francisco. Jackson will have a lot of work to do if he wants to work his way onto the roster in 2025.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Konan-Niederhauser stays in draft, won't return to Penn State
(Nittany Nation) — Penn State's 7-footer Yanic Knonan-Niederhauser was often called the steal of the transfer portal last season, but what was thought to be a two year pickup will end early as the Swiss native will stay in the NBA Draft after a meteoric rise this spring. Jacob Myers broke the news, while Penn State basketball later posted to social media wishing him luck moving forward. Yanic Konan Neiderhauser declares for NBA draft In his one season with Penn State, Yanic average 12.9 points, and 6.3 rebounds-per-game. But his stock took off after a strong showing at the G-League Elite camp, and NBA Draft Combine. CBS Sports grades him as the 42nd best prospect, and some have said he is the best pure athlete in this class. He is projected as a second round selection. Yanic had until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday to withdraw from the draft and use his final season of collegiate eligibility. If selected, he will be the third Nittany Lion in as many season to be taken in the NBA Draft. He came to Penn State after spending two seasons playing at Northern Illinois. Yanic is a Fraschels, Switzerland native. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Penn State quarterback commit Troy Huhn earns invite to 2025 Elite 11 finals
Penn State quarterback commit Troy Huhn earns invite to 2025 Elite 11 finals The tradition continues. On Wednesday, it was revealed Penn State quarterback commit Troy Huhn has earned an invitation to compete in the Elite 11, a renowned annual quarterback camp series and competition. The Elite 11 tour passed through State College last weekend, where scouts were able to get a look at Huhn in action. The top performers from the camp circuit earn invites to participate in the final competition, which puts some of the nation's top high school quarterback prospects through a series of drills to earn recognition as one of the "Elite 11." Huhn follows in the footsteps of several Nittany Lion gunslingers, including Sean Clifford, Drew Allar, Jaxon Smolik and Ethan Grunkemeyer, who all earned invites to the event. Allar and Grunkemeyer were named members of the "Elite 11" following their respective performances. Huhn is listed as a 4-star according to the 247Sports composite rankings and is considered the No. 20 quarterback in the class. The California native held offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Oregon, Texas and others before committing to Penn State on June 25, 2024. The 2025 Elite 11 Finals will take place from June 17-19 in Los Angeles - Huhn's home state. Notable alumni from the event, which has taken place since 1999, include Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff, Matthew Stafford, Trevor Lawrence, Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, Caleb Williams, CJ Stroud and Tua Tagovailoa. While a strong performance at the camp doesn't guarantee future success, it'll serve as an indication of Huhn's skill level compared to other top recruits in his class before he enrolls as a Nittany Lion.
USA Today
18-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Previewing the 2025 season for Penn State WR Aaron Enterline with his player profile
Previewing the 2025 season for Penn State WR Aaron Enterline with his player profile Going into the 2025 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will examine each player listed on the Penn State roster. Over the preseason, each profile will cover the player's background, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for James Franklin this season. Wide receiver Aaron Enterline redshirted his first season in Happy Valley, but he was named the Developmental Squad Offensive Player of the Week four times, providing optimism for his future as a Nittany Lion. Enterline is a physical receiver with good hands and the ability to battle through contact, but it may be a while before he sees significant time. Here's a breakdown of Enterline entering the 2025 season. Preseason Player Profile Hometown: Manheim, Pennsylvania Height: 6-2 Weight: 186 lb Class in 2025: Redshirt freshman Recruiting Rankings Class of 2024: Unranked Enterline wasn't ranked by any major recruiting services coming out of Manheim Central High School. Depth Chart Overview Based on Enterline not seeing any action last season, he likely won't play a major role in 2025. Additionally, the Nittany Lions brought in three transfer wide receivers, pushing him farther down the depth chart entering his second campaign in the blue and white.
