Penn State’s returning talent base is such that the Nittany Lions, coming off a 13-3 season, are in the preseason national champion conversation.
James Franklin’s roster is loaded with prospects who should go early in next year’s NFL draft.
It’s also important to realize that several of PSU’s position groups will look markedly different.
Defensive line is one.
But the next player on PennLive’s list of Nittany Lions to watch coming out of spring drills is a tackle who should be a factor at Penn State for the next couple of seasons.
XAVIER GILLIAM
Background: Gilliam was a dominant prep player Maryland, playing first at Wilde Lake and later at Quince Orchard. Gilliam produced a combined 27.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks during his junior and senior years.
2024: Penn State redshirted Gilliam. He appeared in five games and was twice named Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Week.
How Gilliam fits: Zane Durant, one of the top defensive tackles in the Big Ten, is in his last collegiate season, as is tackle Alonzo Ford. The Lions plan to play four or five tackles in most games, and the 6-2, 300-pound Graham will likely begin 2025 as Penn State’s top reserve tackle.
Quotable: “All of those guys have a really good chance to make the team a lot better. I think I really saw Xavier Gilliam come into his own this past offseason, especially in winter workouts and the first couple of practices that I watched. He’s really starting to figure it out from a defensive tackle standpoint.” – Former Penn State DT Dvon J-Thomas on Xavier Gilliam.
PENN STATE PLAYERS TO WATCH POST-SPRING
Audavion Collins
Randy Adirika
J’ven Williams
Owen Aliciene
Daryus Dixson
Jaxon Smolik
Tikey Hayes
Lyrick Samuel
Kenny Woseley Jr.
Tyseer Denmark
TJ Shanahan Jr.
Elliot Washington II
Andrew Rappleyea
Alonzo Ford Jr.
Quinton Martin Jr.
Ethan Grunkemeyer
King Mack
Koby Howard
LaVar Arrington II
Luke Reynolds
Dejuan Lane