Redshirt Report: Pat Freiermuth and PJ Mustipher Lead the Charge Against Indiana

Redshirt Burned/Green (7)

K Rafael Checa

Checa has been the model of consistency on special teams the last few weeks for the Nittany Lions and that continued against Indiana with four touchbacks on seven kickoffs.

TE Pat Freiermuth

Freiermuth continued his hot streak with two receptions for 32-yards and a touchdown against Indiana. He now has at least one reception in six-straight games and touchdowns in three of the last four games.

LB Jesse Luketa

Luketa appeared on special teams against Indiana but failed to record a tackle.

LB Micah Parsons

The highly-touted former five-star had a career day against Indiana with eight tackles including seven solo tackles. He’s tied for second place on the team with 36 tackles.

K Jake Pinegar

The struggles continued for the Iowa native and I may or may not have jinked Pinegar’s perfect extra point percentage last week as he had one extra point blocked against the Hoosiers. The freshman kicker struggled to elevate the ball throughout the game, ultimately resulting in the block.

DT PJ Mustipher

Mustipher hasn’t put up sexy stats for the Nittany Lions but he had his first major impact play against the Hoosiers as he forced a key fumble in the second half.

RB Ricky Slade

There are a few rumors of Slade being in the doghouse and that being the reason for his absence last week against the Hoosiers, but we’ll take James Franklin’s word that the former five-star was banged up. Either way, Slade has just seen a single carry since his breakout game against Indiana.

Yellow (4)

WR Jahan Dotson

Dotson has been in the red category the last few weeks, but we gave him a bump up to yellow after he saw the field for the first time since the Kent State game against the Hoosiers and recorded his first career reception. With the way the starting wide receivers have played this season, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Dotson on a weekly basis from here on out.

DE Jayson Oweh/DE Nick Tarburton

Oweh has played in three games according to Penn State’s official record while Tarburton has played in a pair of games. Either way, it seems more and more likely that both defensive ends will redshirt this season.

WR Justin Shorter

Shorter still has yet to appear in a game since Kent State and James Franklin keeps eluding to Shorter being banged up early this season which set him back. At this point, it wouldn’t be shocking if the coaching staff kept Shorter out until Rutgers and Maryland which would also allow him to also play in the bowl game and keep his redshirt.

Red (4)

OT Rasheed Walker

Walker has appeared in one game this season but chances are he won’t see the field again this season.

TE Zack Kuntz

Patience is the key with Kuntz, he may get to see the field later this season sparingly but overall, this year was for him to develop more physically.

WR Daniel George

George saw the field for the first time since his record breaking reception against Kent State but we’re not ready to move him up to yellow or green just yet.

CB Trent Gordon

The Texas native has appeared in one game this season and recorded a single tackle.

The Real Reds (7)

These remaining seven players have not seen playing time this season, and it appears doubtful that they’ll see the field at all in 2018 barring the injury bug biting the team in the final few weeks.

QB Will Levis

OG Bryce Effner

OG Juice Scruggs

DT Aeneas Hawkins

DT Judge Culpepper

LB Charlie Katshir

S Isaiah Humphries