BWI Live: A Penn State football podcast from Blue White Illustrated

Penn State football fills one of its biggest needs in the 2027 class as defensive end Elijah Guertin of Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island commits to the Nittany Lions. At 6'5" and 250 pounds, Guertin fits exactly the mold Danton Lynn has been building toward — a big, versatile defensive end who can play every down and develop into a franchise-level pass rusher.

Sean Fitz breaks down how the recruitment unfolded, why Penn State beat out Florida and Tennessee, and why Guertin's ranking undersells what he actually is. Then Thomas Frank Carr takes you to the film room for a full breakdown of what makes Guertin special — and why his physical potential puts him in the same conversation as players like Abraham Cissé and Luke Waffle at the college level.

00:00:10 - Elijah Guertin Commits to Penn State: The Announcement

00:01:38 - Why Rhode Island Prospects Go Under the Radar

00:04:05 - How Penn State Beat Florida & Tennessee for Guertin

00:07:18 - Film Room: What Makes Guertin a Potential Franchise DE

00:11:17 - Where Guertin Fits Penn State's Defensive End Blueprint

00:15:15 - What's Next for Penn State's 2027 Class

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It’s a big week for the Penn State football recruiting department. The staff hosted its first official visit weekend of the year last week and is in the midst of camps to try and find the next group of Nittany Lions for 2027 and beyond. The pace doesn’t slow down becuase tomorrow, they will host the next round of targets for 2027. We’ll be covering all of that on the BWI Live Show today at 10 a.m. Also, not all the news is good. Will Penn State lose a second defender from the class this week? 

Join us to discuss those topics and more on today’s show! We’ll be taking your questions live throughout the hour-long discussion with recruiting reporters Sean Fitz and Ryan Snyder. We’ll be taking your questions throughout the hour-long conversation with the live chat function on YouTube. If you haven’t yet, subscribe to the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel right now! If you enable alerts, you’ll receive updates when we go live, post interviews or commitment videos. 

00:00:10 - Intro: Recruiting Highs & Lows This Week

00:01:48 - Breaking: Penn State Loses Samaj Robinson

00:02:15 - Is Penn State About to Lose Zachary Gleason Too?

00:04:37 - What Losing Two CBs Means for the Corner Board

00:06:53 - OV Recap: DeShawn Hall's Visit — What We Learned

00:10:07 - Penn State Got More Aggressive Than Normal — Good Sign

00:11:13 - Khalil Taylor OV Recap: Penn State Felt Very Good

00:16:47 - Penn State's Defensive Line Template Has Changed Under Campbell

00:17:57 - Size Over Speed: Why the New DL Template Makes Sense

00:19:00 - Case Alexander OV Recap: Moving His Visit Up — Good Sign?

00:21:02 - Tyson Washington Breakdown at Linebacker

00:22:00 - How Many Linebackers Does Penn State Want?

00:24:00 - Elijah Guertin: Penn State's Most Important Recruit Right Now

00:33:19 - This Weekend's OV Group: Smaller but Focused

00:38:47 - Dylan McGee OV Preview: Penn State vs. SMU & Texas

00:49:43 - Live Chat Mailbag Begins

00:50:07 - David Tarawallie Rankings Jump: What Actually Happened

00:52:32 - Campbell's Ohio OL Pipeline: A Pattern Worth Watching

00:55:42 - Camp #2 Recap: 178 Prospects & What Stood Out

00:56:40 - James Armstrong: Penn State's Best Shot at an Elite 2028 QB

00:58:53 - Connor Kulka From State College: A Sleeper QB Worth Watching

01:01:45 - Andre Mania & Andrew Donko

01:05:42 - Linebacker Standouts: Michael Harden Jr. & Tramel Musgrove

01:05:58 - Michael Harden Jr.: The Sleeper Nobody Is Talking About

01:08:37 - Cole West: Walk-On Potential With Upside

01:11:21 - Wrap-Up: Show Schedule Next Week & What's Coming

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Penn State football adds another piece to its 2027 class as safety Caleb Cooper of Providence Day High School in Charlotte, North Carolina commits to the Nittany Lions! Cooper is a 5'11" 205-pound safety with a 4.45 forty and a 10-foot broad jump — and his junior season numbers tell the story: 97 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 6 pass deflections, and an interception.

Ryan Snyder breaks down the recruitment story — including how Deon Broomfield got Cooper on campus within 24 hours of reaching out — and what it was about Penn State that sealed the deal. Then Thomas Frank Carr takes you to the film room for a full breakdown of what makes Cooper special, where he needs to develop, and exactly what Penn State is getting in the safety room.

00:00:10 - Caleb Cooper Commits to Penn State

00:00:34 - Who Is Caleb Cooper? Background & Recruiting Story

00:01:19 - NFL Family Connection & Path to Charlotte

00:02:08 - How Deon Broomfield Got Him to Campus in 24 Hours

00:03:31 - Athletic Profile: 4.50 Speed & 10-Foot Broad Jump

00:04:12 - Is Cooper Underrated? The Three-Star Debate

00:06:20 - Sponsor: AJ Freedom Financial

00:07:55 - Film Room: Why His Run Defense Is Special

00:08:12 - Play 1: Setting the Edge Against a 280-Pound Lineman

00:09:14 - Play 2: Tabletop Block & Tackle for Loss

00:10:08 - Play 3: Recovery Speed & Downhill Explosiveness

00:11:56 - Areas to Improve: Man Coverage & Transition Steps

00:13:02 - The Coverage Questions: Zone Instincts Need Development

00:15:02 - Is Cooper a Box Safety or All-Around Defender?

Full film room: https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/t-franks-film-room-what-caleb-cooper-brings-to-penn-states-2027-secondary/

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One of the longest-running college football podcasters in the country joins BWI for a full Penn State 2026 preview. Ty Hildenbrandt of the Solid Verbal — a Penn State graduate who has been doing the show since 2008 — sits down with Thomas Frank Carr to break down everything you need to know about the Nittany Lions heading into Matt Campbell's first season.

Ty makes the case that Penn State is genuinely dangerous this year — a veteran roster, a favorable schedule, and a quarterback in Rocco Becht who may be the most experienced signal-caller in all of FBS. He projects Penn State going 5-0 before their first true test against USC at home, then a road trip to Michigan the following week. From there, the conversation covers the receiver room, Ben Bramer and the tight end engine, how to evaluate Michigan under Kyle Whittingham, USC's defense problem under Lincoln Riley, and where Penn State fits in the national playoff picture.

00:00:00 - Cold Open: Ty's Penn State Playoff Prediction

00:01:35 - Introducing Ty Hildebrandt of the Solid Verbal

00:02:20 - Ty's Penn State Journey: From Notre Dame Fan to Nittany Lion

00:03:37 - Was It Time for James Franklin to Go?

00:04:16 - How Campbell Fell Into Penn State's Lap

00:04:50 - Big 12 Offense at Penn State: Will the Translation Work?

00:05:57 - Rocco Becht: The Most Experienced QB in All of FBS?

00:06:50 - Building the Scheme Around the Player, Not Vice Versa

00:07:36 - Campbell Gets More With Less: His Biggest Coaching Strength

00:08:07 - Iowa State's Offense Left You Wanting — Will That Change?

00:08:54 - The Blended Family Roster: How It All Comes Together

00:09:43 - Campbell as a QB Developer: The Purdy & Rocco Template

00:10:21 - Rocco vs. Drew Allar: Two Very Different Situations

00:11:54 - Why Rocco Is the Leader: He Knows the System Cold

00:12:56 - James Franklin Just Wasn't Good at Developing QBs

00:13:51 - Sponsor: Way Fruit Farm

00:14:27 - D'Anton Lynn on Defense: Ty's Early Assessment

00:15:23 - Penn State's Defense: Better the Further Back You Go

00:16:47 - The New Defensive Line Template: Size Over Speed Rushers

00:19:00 - Schedule Breakdown: The Three Games That Matter

00:19:31 - Ty's Full Penn State 2026 Projection

00:22:23 - Carson Hansen as a Bowling Ball: What the Offense Will Look Like

00:23:31 - The Receiver Room & Why the Tight End Is the Engine

00:25:05 - Ben Brahmer & the Tight End Room: The Offense Runs Here

00:26:21 - Michigan Under Whittingham: How Beatable Are They?

00:27:14 - Bryce Underwood's Spring Game & What It Signals

00:30:03 - USC Preview: Lincoln Riley's Defense Problem & Gary Patterson

00:32:42 - 10-2 Might Not Make the Playoff: The Crowded Big Ten Problem

00:33:28 - National Playoff Picture: Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame & the Big 12

00:36:23 - How Ty Builds His Team Previews in the Portal Era

00:38:54 - Where Penn State Ranks in the Big Ten Tier System

00:39:16 - Washington as a Dark Horse: Most Underrated Big Ten Team?

00:40:12 - Brendan Sorsbu Ruling: A Really Bad Precedent for College Football

00:42:07 - Gambling in College Football: The Pervasive Culture Problem

00:44:25 - Where to Find the Solid Verbal Podcast

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The Penn State football team is now in its summer work phase, following its return from break in late May. While important things are happening on campus with both the team and recruiting, we’re taking today to look at the bigger picture. Last week, the United States Senate held a hearing on the future of college football as part of its proposed legislation to govern the sport.

Reporter Nate Bauer watched that hearing and has been writing about it over the last several days. Today, we’ll discuss the situation facing the sport and what needs to be done in order to save it. We’ll also discuss the current Penn State Nittany Lions’ chances of putting together a strong season by looking at their veteran depth. 

We’ll also take your questions throughout the show in the BWI Mailbag! Join us live during the hour-long converation to ask your questions. If you want to know anything about the latest recruiting news, you can ask us in the live chat. 

Experience article:  https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/despite-massive-roster-overhaul-penn-state-ranks-among-nations-most-experienced-teams/

00:00:11 - Intro: This Week's Schedule & What to Expect

00:00:38 - Why We're Talking About College Football's Future Today

00:03:24 - Penn State's Veteran Roster: How Experience Was Built Intentionally

00:04:53 - CBS Sports Rankings: Penn State 17th in Roster Experience Nationally

00:05:54 - Ty Hildebrandt Preview: Penn State's Schedule & Playoff Outlook

00:10:00 - What Experience Buys a First-Year Coach Like Matt Campbell

00:12:48 - The Offensive Line Question: Talent vs. Readiness

00:20:00 - Transitioning to the Big Picture: College Football's Revenue Crisis

00:28:48 - The Senate Hearing: It's a Revenue Problem, Not Just a Rules Problem

00:29:53 - The $20.5 Million Cap Nobody Is Following

00:33:32 - TFC's Take: We're Competing at money, Not Football

00:36:34 - The Salary Cap Argument: Why Rules Make Sports Interesting

00:40:53 - How Is Penn State Set Up for This New Era?

00:41:45 - Penn State's Infrastructure Advantage: How It Was Built

00:43:15 - CFP Expansion to 24 Teams: Revenue Solution or Golden Goose Killer?

00:54:47 - BWI Mailbag: USC, Michigan or Washington — Which Win Matters Most?

00:58:18 - Mailbag: Which Position Group Are You Most Concerned About?

01:00:17 - Mailbag: The Brennan Sourcey Situation & Big Ten vs. Texas Tech

01:01:28 - Should There Be Consequences for Rule Breakers in College Football?

01:05:43 - Final Agreement: Rules Only Work If There Are Consequences 

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The Penn State football team faces one of its most critical weekends in recruiting on the 2026 calendar. The team hosts all of its committed prospects, plus six uncommitted players, many of whom represent the top of their positional boards. Can the team secure a number of these players? Join the BWI Live Recruiting Show today at 10 a.m. to discuss that, plus recap the team’s first recruiting camp of the summer from Wednesday afternoon. We’ll also be taking your questions and comments live on the show! 

Join us live at 10 a.m. to discuss all of that and more! Subscribe right now to the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel and enable notifications so you don’t miss any of the upcoming recruiting news. When players commit, you’ll be the first to know with our committed video breakdowns. 

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National college football insider Pete Nakos of On3 joins Thomas Frank Carr for his second appearance on the BWI YouTube channel — and he comes with news Penn State fans need to hear. Chaz Coleman's future at Tennessee is seriously in doubt, and Pete breaks down exactly where things stand, what Tennessee has done to try to support him, and whether there is any realistic path for Coleman to get back on a college football field in 2026.

Then Pete and TFC go deep on the Penn State roster — from Rocco Becht's spring role despite his shoulder injury, to why Rocco chose Penn State over significant Big Ten and SEC interest, to the national media's growing belief that this Penn State team has real playoff potential in Year One under Matt Campbell.

They also break down Penn State's two biggest regular season tests — USC and Michigan — with Pete giving his national perspective on Lincoln Riley's must-win year with the Trojans and what Kyle Whittingham brings to Ann Arbor.

Today's show rundown

00:00:00 - Pete Nakos Returns: National Perspective on Penn State

00:02:12 - Rocco Becht's Spring Role Despite Shoulder Injury

00:03:36 - Why Rocco Chose Penn State Over SEC & Big Ten Offers

00:06:41 - How Penn State Built the 2026 Roster Around Campbell's System

00:07:22 - James Peoples, Malachi Goodman & Key Additions Breakdown

00:09:40 - Kobe Howard & Tony Rojas: National Buzz on Penn State's Roster

00:10:19 - National Media Take: Does Penn State Have It Better Than They Think?

00:11:05 - Sponsor: Way Fruit Farm

00:11:48 - USC Preview: Lincoln Riley's CFP or Bust Year

00:15:12 - Michigan Under Kyle Whittingham: More Than Run & Defense?

00:17:48 - Penn State's Non-Conference Schedule: Enough of a Test?

00:18:40 - Wisconsin & Luke Fickell: Dark Horse on Penn State's Schedule

00:20:42 - Chaz Coleman's Future at Tennessee Seriously in Doubt

00:24:26 - Can Coleman Enter the Portal? The Legal Reality Explained

00:25:55 - Is There Any Path Back to Penn State or Ohio State?

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Expectations are both high and unknown for the Penn State football team in 2026. With so many variables and new faces converging in Happy Valley this year, it’s hard to know where to place the team in the Big Ten pecking order. Today on the BWI Live Show, we’ll answer the top five burning questions facing the team that will lead us to that answer in time. We’ll discuss the important games that define the season, the players who need to make a big leap in production, plus realistic expectations. We’ll also discuss Athlon’s Big Ten coach rankings and where Penn State head coach Matt Campbell fell in their rankings. 

Join the BWI Live show for all of that, plus the Mailbag! We’re taking questions from the live chat, plus featured quetsions from the mailbag submission thread to discuss what’s on your mind. 

00:00:00 - Intro: Five Burning Questions Facing Penn State Football

00:03:16 - BWI Summer Sale: 50% Off Membership

00:04:12 - How Nate Bauer Built the Five Questions List

00:06:09 - Does the 2026 Schedule Make This a Must-Win Year?

00:07:17 - Question #5: Which Game Will Define Penn State's Season?

00:10:51 - Campbell's History vs. Riley & Whittingham

00:14:16 - Question #4: Who Needs to Make the Biggest Leap?

00:21:53 - Sponsor: Antifragile Brewing Co.

00:24:55 - Question #3: Who Is Penn State's Most Irreplaceable Player?

00:28:59 - Question #2: What Are Realistic Expectations for Year One?

00:34:01 - Question #1: Will Penn State Make the College Football Playoff?

00:42:27 - Sponsor: Rhoback

00:43:24 - Fitz's Recruiting Update

00:44:49 - Jamir Dean Visits Georgia: What It Means for Penn State

00:49:07 - Zahmar Tookes & Other OV Weekend Targets

00:51:57 - Mailbag: How Should NIL Be Regulated?

00:58:08 - Should the CFP Field Expand to 24 Teams?

01:01:18 - Mailbag: Recruiting vs. Portal ROI by Position

01:05:14 - Final Thoughts & Thursday's Show Preview

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Cael Sanderson has done it again. The Penn State wrestling head coach is the Open Mat Division I Coach of the Year — and at this point, the only real question is when they name the award after him. Mitchell Mesenbrink adds the Hodge Trophy to his national championship, capping one of the most dominant individual seasons in college wrestling history.

Greg Pickel joins Thomas Frank Carr to break it all down, plus preview what's coming up for Penn State's wrestlers on the international stage this summer. Final X is set, U20 Nationals are this weekend, and U23 Nationals are right around the corner. We break down every Nittany Lion connection, the key matchups to watch, and what it all means for team USA heading into the World Championships.

00:00:00 - Intro: Cael Sanderson Named Coach of the Year

00:01:13 - Should They Just Name the Award After Him?

00:01:58 - Mitchell Mesenbrink Wins Hodge Trophy & Wrestler of the Year

00:03:11 - Mesenbrink's Rise: From Transfer to National Champion

00:03:48 - Why Is Mesenbrink Not Competing This Summer?

00:05:22 - Final X Preview: Nittany Lion Club Connections

00:06:24 - Luke Lucio vs. Spencer Lee & Key Matchups to Watch

00:07:13 - U20 Nationals Preview: Penn State's Recruits in Action

00:15:14 - U23 Nationals: Why It's So Convoluted Explained

00:15:46 - How Final X Results Impact the U23 Roster Spots

00:17:41 - Penn State's U23 Entries: Who Has the Best Chance?

00:19:10 - Final Thoughts & What's Coming Before Final X

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The Penn State football recruiting staff is waiting a week to start its official visits so we also have a week to do a wider look at the team’s recruiting situation heading into the final, pivotal stretch of commitment season. On today’s show, we’ll recap the latest recruiting news, including Penn State missing out on a pair of four-star prospects. Today’s main topic will be a gut check of where things are and where they will go over the next six months of recruiting. We’ll ask recruiting reporter Sean Fitz a series of questions to get his gut reaction to them on today’s show. We’ll also ask you for your thoughts in the BWI Mailbag! 

00:00:00 - Intro & Today's Gut Check Format

00:01:24 - Breaking News: Carter Jones to Clemson & Colt Lumper to Michigan

00:04:05 - Colt Lumper to Michigan: What Happened & What's Next at TE

00:09:27 - What Carter Jones' Decision Tells Us About June Recruiting

00:11:37 - Caleb Cooper Official Visit: Penn State Hedging at Safety?

00:13:00 - Gut Check #1: Can Penn State's Class Crack the Top 15?

00:25:45 - Could Gabe Jenkins End Up at Penn State in the Portal Someday?

00:28:35 - Gut Check #3: What's the Biggest Miss of the 2027 Class?

00:29:07 - Defensive End: The Position That Worries Fitz Most

00:31:52 - Big DE vs. Speed Rusher: What Does Penn State Actually Need?

00:32:24 - What the Best NFL Pass Rushers Tell Us About Recruiting DE

00:37:23 - Gut Check #4: What's the Biggest WIN of the 2027 Class?

00:37:52 - Corners & Running Backs: Penn State's Strongest Position Groups

00:47:00 - BWI Mailbag: Who in the 2027 Class Can Contribute Earliest?

00:52:24 - Can Andy Paiva Play Early? The Nose Tackle Question

00:55:10 - Blake Benton's Long-Term Upside at Linebacker

00:56:28 - Is There Real Value in Penn State Playing at Temple?

00:59:13 - What's the Modern Player Schedule During the Summer?

01:01:29 - Final Thoughts & What's Coming Next Week

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