There’s been a flurry of activity across Penn State athletics, with developments in football, men’s hockey, and baseball making headlines. From media availability sessions to significant MLB Draft results and growing expectations surrounding quarterback Drew Allar, the Nittany Lions community has plenty to talk about. Among the highlights is the continued buzz around Gavin McKenna’s commitment to Penn State hockey, which has generated excitement both locally and nationally. In his first media appearance since the announcement, head coach Guy Gadowsky compared McKenna’s mindset and creativity to that of Wayne Gretzky, underscoring just how special the young forward is. McKenna is slated to make his debut during Penn State’s October series against Arizona State.
Meanwhile, the future of the College Football Playoff (CFP) format remains uncertain. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti is firmly supporting a controversial 4 AQ model that favors Big Ten and SEC programs with four automatic qualifiers, while the ACC and Big 12 would receive two apiece. This has created friction, with other conferences pushing for a 5+11 model, which would include five conference champions and 11 at-large teams. Petitti’s stance hinges on the SEC not adopting a ninth conference game—a condition that could prolong final decisions until the December 1 deadline.
On the football front, Penn State strength coach Chuck Losey spoke to the media following a summer training session. Losey emphasized that the team is progressing well and expressed optimism about both newcomers and returning players. He mentioned that transfer athletes like Trebor Pena and Amare Campbell are being integrated smoothly into the team, while the incoming freshman defenders are already showing promise. He reserved special praise for key returners, particularly Drew Allar, whom he called “a huge fan of.” He also highlighted Vega Ioane, saying the goal is for him to become an All-American this season.
Penn State baseball had a standout showing on Day Two of the 2025 MLB Draft, matching its program record from 2007 with five players selected. Paxton Kling, Ryan Weingartner, Ryan DeSanto, Chase Renner, and Bryce Molinaro were all drafted, making this a historic moment for the program. Their selections spanned from the seventh to the 17th rounds, with major league teams like the Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Nationals picking up Penn State talent.
Lastly, the spotlight continues to intensify on quarterback Drew Allar heading into the 2025-26 football season. Analysts view him as the team’s critical “X factor” following a 2024 campaign where he struggled in big moments. Despite this, he’s ranked as the top quarterback in the Big Ten by On3’s Andy Staples, a placement that has sparked debate. Still, with many untested quarterbacks entering the league, Allar’s experience gives him an edge—if he can elevate his performance under pressure.
In short, it’s been a whirlwind of updates in Happy Valley—and fans who blinked might have missed a lot.
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