Who will be Penn State football’s offensive MVP? Previewing the Nittany Lions’ 2023 season
Penn State’s season opener is less than a month away and that means it’s time to make predictions about how the 2023 iteration of the Nittany Lions will look. We’ll be projecting the most valuable players on both sides of the ball, who will break out and how the team will finish the year.
Let’s start by picking the MVP on the offense.
Jon Sauber: QB Drew Allar
Penn State head coach James Franklin has yet to name a starting quarterback, but let’s not kid ourselves. It would be a complete shock if Allar isn’t the starting quarterback when the Nittany Lions open the season against West Virginia. He’s a former five-star recruit and saw legitimate playing time last season as Sean Clifford’s backup. Allar can make every throw in the book and has the upside to be the kind of player who elevates his teammates to a new level. That’s especially helpful for a team that’s still searching for its top receiving option for the young quarterback. Combine his talent, the relative certainty that he’s going to start and the nature of the position and you have an easy choice for the team’s offensive MVP this season.
Josh Moyer: QB Drew Allar
Let’s not get cute with this pick. It’s obvious — and for good reason. First off, let’s talk about “MVP opportunity.” There is no clear No. 1 wideout, and running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen will almost certainly split carries. Meanwhile, Allar will always be in the huddle and will touch the ball on just about every play. He simply has the better opportunity here. (And let’s be honest: There’s no real QB competition. James Franklin tapped his previous QBs, Sean Clifford and Trace McSorley, as first-time starters after Aug. 20.) Allar has been hyped up as a future first-round NFL draft pick since before he arrived on campus, and he boasts elite tools that could potentially place him in the early Heisman conversation. Even if he falls short of those expectations, given the fact the ball will be spread around the skill positions, he’s still a near-lock to earn offensive team MVP honors. Mark it down.
Matt DiSanto: WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith
With Mitchell Tinsley and Parker Washington now off to the NFL, it’s KeAndre Lambert-Smith’s time to shine. He’s widely expected to enter his junior season as Penn State’s premier option at wide receiver, and more passes heading his way could pair nicely with his knack for game-changing plays. Who could forget his record-breaking 88-yard touchdown reception in the 2023 Rose Bowl?
Lambert-Smith’s 6-foot-1, 188-pound frame isn’t the most intimidating presence at the line of scrimmage, but he’s already proven he can blow through coverage and dial up an explosive play. After all, his 16.4 yards per reception last season beat out every wide receiver on Penn State’s roster. I’m excited to see what he can do while paired with Drew Allar, who seems primed to air it out with the deep ball in what should be his first season as the Nittany Lions’ starting quarterback.
Hope Perry: RB Nick Singleton
The Big Ten Freshman Player of the year in 2022, Singleton returns to the field a sophomore ready for an even bigger season. Holding Penn State’s record of 12 rushing touchdowns as a freshman and a Big Ten second-best with 6.8 yards per carry last season, Singleton is almost certain to dominate the Nittany Lions’ running game. With the return of fellow RB Kaytron Allan, this dynamic duo is sure to continue to pick up yards and put major points on the board this season — but Singleton is sure to stand out.
