Penn State projected starting lineup and depth chart for the Fiesta Bowl | 2024-25 College football season

After taking care of SMU, the Penn State Nittany Lions will travel to Arizona, where they will face the Boise State Broncos in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve. A win would put the Nittany Lions one win away from a National Championship Game berth.

But first things first. Penn State (12-2) must move past Ashton Jeanty and Boise State (12-1). For the Fiesta Bowl, James Franklin’s squad is expected to be nearly at full strength.

However, starting tackle Anthony Donkoh is not expected to return on time to face the Broncos. He hasn’t played since Nov. 23, when he suffered the injury against Minnesota.

Here is the projected depth chart for Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Penn State projected starting lineup and depth chart for the Fiesta Bowl

Penn State's defense was dominant against SMU. - Source: Imagn

Offense

WR-X (Wide receiver X)

Starter: Harrison Wallace III

• 2nd: Julian Fleming
• 3rd: Mehki Flowers

WR-Z (Wide receiver Z)

Starter: Omari Evans

• 2nd: Tyler Johnson
• 3rd: Anthony Ivey

WR-SL (Slot Receiver)

Starter: Liam Clifford

• 2nd: Ethan Black

LT (Left Tackle)

Starter: Drew Shelton

• 2nd: J’ven Williams
• 3rd: Eagan Boyer

LG (Left Guard)

Starter: Olaivavenga Ioane

• 2nd: Chimdy Onoh
• 3rd: Logan Bahn

C (Center)

Starter: Nick Dawkins

• 2nd: Dominic Rulli

RG (Right Guard)

Starter: Sal Wormley

• 2nd: Cooper Cousins
• 3rd: Alex Birchmeier

RT (Right Tackle)

Starter: Nolan Rucci

• 2nd: JB Nelson

TE (Tight End)

Starter: Tyler Warren

• 2nd: Khalil Dinkins
• 3rd: Luke Reynolds
• 4th: Joey Schlaffer

QB (Quarterback)

Starter: Drew Allar

• 2nd: Ethan Grunkemeyer
• 3rd: Jack Lambert

RB (Running Back)

Starter: Nicholas Singleton

• 2nd: Kaytron Allen
• 3rd: Corey Smith
• 4th: Quinton Martin Jr.
• 5th: Tyler Holzworth

Defense

LDE (Left Defensive End)

Starter: Dani Dennis-Sutton

• 2nd: Amin Vanover
• 3rd: Max Granville
• 4th: Jordan Mayer

LDT (Left Defensive Tackle)

Starter: Zane Durant

• 2nd: Coziah Izzard
• 3rd: Joseph Mupoyi

RDT (Right Defensive Tackle)

Starter: Dvon J-Thomas

• 2nd: Xavier Gilliam
• 3rd: Ty Blanding

RDE (Right Defensive End)

Starter: Abdul Carter

• 2nd: Smith Vilbert
• 3rd: Jaylen Harvey

WLB (Weak-side Linbacker)

Starter: Tony Rojas

• 2nd: Dakaari Nelson
• 3rd: Ta’Mere Robinson
• 4th: Anthony Speca

MLB (Middle Linebacker)

Starter: Kobe King

• 2nd: Dominic DeLuca
• 3rd: Tyler Elsdon

LCB (Left Cornerback)

Starter: Jalen Kimber

• 2nd: Elliot Washington II
• 3rd: Kenny Woseley

SS (Strong Safety)

Starter: Jaylen Reed

• 2nd: Tyrece Mills
• 3rd: Vaboue Toure
• 4th: Kolin Dinkins

FS (Free Safety)

Starter: Zakee Wheatley

• 2nd: Dejuan Lane
• 3rd: Lamont Payne Jr.

RCB (Right Cornerback)

Starter: AJ Harris

• 2nd: Audavion Collins
• 3rd: Jon Mitchell

NB (Nickelback)

Starter: Zion Tracy

• 2nd: Cam Miller
• 3rd: Antoine Belgrave-Shorter

Special Teams

P (Punter)

Starter: Riley Thompson

• 2nd: Gabriel Nwosu

K (Kicker)

Starter: Bryan Barker

• 2nd: Chase Meyer

KO (Kickoff Specialist)

Starter: Gabriel Nwosu

LS (Long Snapper)

Starter: Tyler Duzanski

H (Holder)

Starter: Riley Thompson

PR (Punt Returner)

Starter: Zion Tracy

KR (Kick Returner)

Starter: Nicholas Singleton

• 2nd: Quinton Martin Jr.