State Media

Brian Tripp and former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg break down the latest from Nittany Lions fall camp, including Caleb Bacon’s move to the edge, Alex Manske’s development behind Rocco Becht, Malachi Goodman’s opportunity on the offensive line and the Penn State standouts making Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List.Plus, could the Penn State-Pitt football rivalry finally return? Tripp and Hackenberg react to the latest rivalry discussion and debate why meaningful rivalry games still matter in the changing college football landscape. The guys also discuss playoff expansion, preseason rankings and the future of conference championship games.Then, Penn State hockey newcomer Justin Poirier joins the show to discuss why he chose Hockey Valley, his offensive mentality, his journey from the QMJHL to college hockey, being drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes, his recovery from injury and his excitement to experience the Roar Zone. Poirier says he came to Penn State looking for a program where he can play his offensive game and compete for a championship.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

From Hartley, Iowa to Happy Valley, Kooper Ebel has been shaped by football, family, faith and small-town pride.The Penn State linebacker opens up about growing up as the oldest of seven kids, learning the game from his father, overcoming self-doubt and why his trust in Coach Matt Campbell helped bring him to Penn State. Ebel also talks about the tradition of Linebacker U, his ability to “flip the switch” on game day and finally getting the chance to experience the legendary Penn State White Out from the field after growing up watching it on TV.Get to know Kooper Ebel and the person behind the jersey as he begins the next chapter of his football journey in Happy Valley.Subscribe for more Penn State Football player profiles, behind-the-scenes access and exclusive Nittany Lions content.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Meet Vaboue Toure, the Penn State safety from Pleasantville, New Jersey who wants to join the legacy of Penn State safeties. Toure discusses life growing up and his journey to college football. Toure talks about moving to Texas in high school and the hardships that came with that process. He shares how his brothers have motivated him and shaped him into the man and player he is today, while also discussing his recruiting process and why he chose Penn State. Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Meet Jamison Patton, a Penn State football safety whose journey began in Des Moines, Iowa.After growing up playing football, basketball and baseball, Patton helped Roosevelt High School end a losing streak of approximately 120 games before continuing his career at Ankeny and Iowa State. Now in Happy Valley, he is ready to bring his experience, physicality and team-first mentality to Beaver Stadium.Patton discusses the coaches who changed his trajectory, overcoming self-doubt, following Matt Campbell to Penn State and how an only child found more than 120 brothers through football.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Before Marcus Neal Jr. arrived at Penn State, he endured two consecutive winless seasons at Raytown South High School. Then, in the first game of his junior year, everything changed: his team finally won, and Neal scored four touchdowns.The Kansas City native has loved football since his father introduced him to tackle football at four years old—sometimes so much that he wore his football pants and cleats to school. In this Penn State Football player profile, Neal discusses the family members and coaches who shaped him, his journey from wide receiver to defensive back, and the mental adjustment required to play college football.Neal also explains why his trust in the Penn State coaching staff made Happy Valley the right destination, how he hopes to inspire children from his hometown, and how he wants to be remembered: a respectful young man off the field and a dog on it.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Keanu Williams has played football since he was four years old—but the beginning was anything but easy. The Penn State defensive tackle remembers crying every day during his first season, being told to get back up and eventually realizing football could change his future.In this Penn State Football player profile, Williams discusses growing up in California, the influence of his mother, losing his senior high school season to COVID, why he couldn’t turn down Penn State and the shock of seeing snow for the first time.Williams also reveals his love for Legos and fishing, explains how injury and a hospital visit in Hershey changed his perspective and shares why he cannot wait to experience the Penn State White Out. Above everything else, he wants to leave Penn State remembered as a great person who made an impact both on and off the field.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Keith Jones Jr. learned early how to make something out of nothing.The New Orleans native opens up about his father’s work ethic, falling in love with football at four years old, stepping away to focus on basketball and returning to the game during his senior year of high school. That decision eventually took him to Grambling State, the transfer portal and Penn State.Now, the Penn State wide receiver is preparing to experience the White Out, represent his family and community, and make the most of an opportunity he refuses to take for granted.Get to know Keith Jones Jr., his New Orleans roots, his journey back to football and the legacy he hopes to leave on and off the field.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Penn State running back Cam Wallace came from one-stoplight Mount Vernon, Georgia—but his speed quickly took him far beyond his small hometown.Wallace shares the unforgettable story of arriving late to a childhood football game, getting the ball and immediately scoring a touchdown that changed the momentum. He also discusses the coaches who kept him grounded, the sacrifices his aunt made for his future and the legacy he hopes to leave at Penn State.Get to know the funny, hardworking teammate behind the helmet—and why Wallace cannot wait to go to war alongside the teammates he has spent months grinding with.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Penn State defensive lineman Siale Taupaki shares the family sacrifice, Tongan heritage and relentless motivation behind his football journey.Raised in East Oakland by parents who immigrated from the Kingdom of Tonga, Taupaki learned early that discipline, respect and humility begin at home. Their journey to America—and the challenges they continue to face—pushes him to keep going whenever he feels like there is nothing left in the tank.Taupaki also discusses taking pride in representing the Pacific Islander community, looking up to athletes such as Vita Vea and Tony Finau, playing football with a water-filled Gatorade bottle as a child and why he considers himself a son before a football player.Hear what motivates Siale Taupaki as he prepares to represent his family, culture and Penn State inside Beaver Stadium.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Could Penn State’s iconic football uniform soon carry a sponsor logo?Brian Tripp and former quarterback Christian Hackenberg break down Pat Kraft’s comments from Big Ten Football Media Day, what a jersey patch could potentially be worth and whether Penn State can embrace college athletics’ new financial reality without sacrificing one of the most recognizable uniforms in sports.They also examine the biggest Penn State football developments coming out of Chicago, including Tony Rojas and Alex Manske being cleared for camp, why Rojas could become the defense’s “game wrecker,” the return timelines for Jeremiah Cooper, Gabe Burkle and Alex Tatsch, and the depth concerns facing Matt Campbell’s team entering the 2026 season.Plus, Tripp and Hackenberg discuss Tony Rojas’ relationship with defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, revisit Ricky Rahne’s Penn State legacy and debate whether Mike Rhoades has enough resources to make Penn State basketball competitive in the Big Ten.Penn State football camp is almost here. What should fans expect when the Nittany Lions finally take the field?Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/