The 2025 college football season may still be months away, but Penn State is already making waves as one of the biggest winners of the offseason. After narrowly missing out on a national championship opportunity last season, the Nittany Lions have positioned themselves as serious title contenders for the upcoming year. With key players returning, strategic additions through the transfer portal, and a blockbuster coaching hire, Penn State is building a team that could challenge for the No. 1 spot in preseason rankings.
Retaining Core Talent: A Championship Blueprint
One of the most critical aspects of Penn State strong offseason has been its ability to retain top talent. While All-America edge rusher Abdul Carter is headed to the NFL possibly as the No. 1 overall pick ”the Nittany Lions managed to keep standout defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (8.5 sacks in 2024), maintaining a strong presence up front. Defensive tackle Zane Durant and safety Zakee Wheatley also chose to stay, ensuring stability on that side of the ball.
The outlook is even brighter on offense. Quarterback Drew Allar returns alongside running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, who helped power an attack that averaged 33.1 points per game last season. With another year under offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, Allar has the potential to take a major leap, and the Singleton-Allen duo could be the best backfield tandem in college football.
Smart Transfer Portal Moves
Instead of scrambling to replace key departures, Penn State used the transfer portal to fine-tune its roster. So far, the team has secured six transfers, including two wide receivers Kyron Hudson (USC) and Devonte Ross (Troy) to address a major weakness from last season. In the trenches, offensive lineman TJ Shanahan (Texas A&M) and defensive lineman Enai White (Texas A&M) add depth and competition, bolstering both lines for the grind of a championship run.
Game-Changing Coaching Hire
The biggest splash of the offseason, however, was Penn State decision to bring in Jim Knowles as the team new defensive coordinator. Poaching one of the top defensive minds in the game from rival Ohio State was a statement move not just in terms of strategy but also in financial commitment. With a contract expected to pay him around $3 million annually, Knowles becomes the highest-paid coordinator in college football.
His track record speaks for itself. Under Knowles, Ohio State defense allowed just 12.9 points per game and 4.2 yards per snap last season, following an even stingier 11.2 points per game the year before. Not only does his arrival give Penn State a defensive mastermind, but it also deals a major blow to a key Big Ten rival.
The Road Ahead
While Penn State may not have quite as much raw talent as Ohio State, every title contender in 2025 has its share of question marks. Of the projected top six teams in next season rankings, Penn State is the only one returning a starting quarterback. That continuity gives them an edge if Allar can elevate his play and the wide receiver corps improves, the Nittany Lions will be a legitimate championship threat.
Of course, challenges remain. Penn State still needs to replace tight end Tyler Warren, and Allar development will be a deciding factor in whether the team can make a serious run at the title on January 19, 2026, in Miami. The spring transfer window could also bring unexpected changes, but as things stand, Penn State has checked off all the major boxes to build a championship-caliber team.
James Franklin has led the Nittany Lions to 34 wins over the past three seasons and secured a Big Ten title, yet some still doubt whether he can take the final step and win it all. With sky-high expectations and a dominant offseason under their belt, Penn State has every reason to dream big in 2025.
