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

The stage is set for an epic showdown as No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish takes on the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl. The game kicks off on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Notre Dame is favored by 1.5 points. With an over/under of 44.5.

The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the SMU Mustangs in the first round, followed by the Boise State Broncos in the quarterfinals to reach within a win of the national championship game.

Let's take a look at Penn State's projected starting lineup and depth chart for the Orange Bowl.

Penn State projected starting lineup and depth chart for Orange Bowl

Offensive Positions

WR-X (Wide Receiver X):

Starter: Harrison Wallace III

• 2nd: Tyler Johnson
• 3rd: Mehki Flowers

WR-Z (Wide Receiver Z):

Starter: Julian Fleming

• 2nd: Omari Evans
• 3rd: Anthony Ivey

WR-SL (Slot Receiver):

Starter: Liam Clifford

• 2nd: Tyseer Denmark (Questionable)
• 3rd: Jake Spencer

LT (Left Tackle):

Starter: Drew Shelton

• 2nd: J'ven Williams

LG (Left Guard):

Starter: Olaivavega Ioane

• 2nd: JB Nelson
• 3rd: Chimdy Onoh
• 4th: 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: Anthony Donkoh

• 2nd: Nolan Rucci
• 3rd: Eagan Boyer

TE (Tight End):

Starter: Tyler Warren

• 2nd: Luke Reynolds
• 3rd: Khalil Dinkins
• 4th: Jerry Cross
• INJ: Andrew Rappleyea (Questionable)

QB (Quarterback):

Starter: Drew Allar

• 2nd: Beau Pribula
• 3rd: Ethan Grunkemeyer
• 4th: Jack Lambert

RB (Running Back):

Starter: Nicholas Singleton

• 2nd: Kaytron Allen
• 3rd: Quinton Martin Jr.
• 4th: Corey Smith
• INJ: Cam Wallace (Questionable)

Defensive Positions

LDE (Left Defensive End):

Starter: Dani Dennis-Sutton

• 2nd: Smith Vilbert
• 3rd: Jordan Mayer

LDT (Left Defensive Tackle):

Starter: Zane Durant

• 2nd: Coziah Izzard
• 3rd: Ty Blanding
• 4th: Xavier Gilliam

RDT (Right Defensive Tackle):

Starter: Dvon J-Thomas

• 2nd: Alonzo Ford Jr. (Out)
• 3rd: Hakeem Beamon
• 4th: Kaleb Artis

RDE (Right Defensive End):

Starter: Abdul Carter (Questionable)

• 2nd: Amin Vanover
• 3rd: Joseph Mupoyi

WLB (Weakside Linebacker):

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
• 4th: Ben Chizmar

LCB (Left Cornerback):

Starter: Jalen Kimber

• 2nd: Audavion Collins
• 3rd: Kenny Woseley Jr.

SS (Strong Safety):

Starter: Jaylen Reed

• 2nd: Dejuan Lane
• 3rd: Vaboue Toure
• 4th: Patrick Williams

FS (Free Safety):

Starter: Zakee Wheatley

• 2nd: Tyrece Mills
• 3rd: Lamont Payne Jr.
• 4th: Kolin Dinkins

RCB (Right Cornerback):

Starter: A.J. Harris

• 2nd: Elliot Washington II
• 3rd: Jon Mitchell

LION (Hybrid Linebacker/DB):

Starter: Cam Miller

• 2nd: Zion Tracy
• 3rd: Antoine Belgrave-Shorter

Special Teams

PT (Punter):

Starter: Riley Thompson

• 2nd: Gabriel Nwosu
• 3rd: Mitchell Groh

PK (Placekicker):

Starter: Sander Sahaydak

• 2nd: Ryan Barker
• 3rd: Chase Meyer

KO (Kickoff Specialist):

Starter: Gabriel Nwosu

• 2nd: Ryan Barker
• 3rd: Chase Meyer

LS (Long Snapper):

Starter: Tyler Duzansky

H (Holder):

Starter: Riley Thompson

• 2nd: Beau Pribula

PR (Punt Returner):

Starter: Jake Spencer

KR (Kick Returner):

Starter: Nicholas Singleton

Reserves (Injured/Inactives)

• Andrew Rappleyea (TE) – Questionable
• Zuriah Fisher (DE) – Out
• Alonzo Ford (DT) – Out
• Keon Wylie (LB) – Out
• Kaden Saunders (WR) – Questionable
• Tyseer Denmark (WR) – Questionable
• Cam Wallace (RB) – Questionable

Inactive (Out for Season):

• Kevin Winston Jr. (S)