How’s the view from Penn State football’s temporary bleachers? Take a look
The temporary seating on the west side of West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium will remain for the rest of the 2025 season.
York Daily Record
- Gabe Nwosu is Penn State’s new starting punter and may be the largest in the country at 6-foot-6 and 297 pounds.
- He has been the Nittany Lions’ top kickoff specialist for the past two seasons, ranking among the best in the Big Ten.
- Coach James Franklin noted Nwosu’s strong leg, stating he made a 62-yard field goal in a preseason practice.
- Nwosu is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree who also plays the cello and has organized charitable efforts for children in Nigeria.
STATE COLLEGE — Gabe Nwosu is one of the largest players on the Penn State football roster.
He may just be the largest punter in the country.
The largest, and strongest, ever at Penn State?
The new Nittany Lion starter — who Penn State lists as 6-foot-6 and 297 pounds — certainly owns extraordinary size for any kind of kicker.
Nwosu, who has been the Lions’ top kickoff specialist the past two years, saw his first action as the team’s No. 1 punter Saturday against FIU in Beaver Stadium. His first punt of the season came in the middle of the second quarter — a perfectly-placed, 40-yard kick downed on the 2 yard line.
The Lions inexplicably did not punt the ball in in their opening 46-11 victory over Nevada. They scored on their first nine possessions of the game.
“As we guys know, (Nwosu’s) always had a big, strong leg, and he just put it all together this summer and was consistent,” said coach James Franklin.
Here are three things to know about Nwosu:
Penn State football: Gabe Nwosu, kickoff prowess
Nwosu, a redshirt senior, is beginning his third season as the Lions’ starting kickoff specialist.
He’s been one of the best at it in the Big Ten.
In 2023, he finished third in the Big Ten in touchbacks (50) and fourth in kickoff average (63.7 yards). Both marks ranked 21st nationally.
Last year he registered 60 touchbacks in 97 attempts (63.5%).
Against Nevada, five of his nine kickoffs went for touchbacks.
Gabe Nwosu, the strongest punter in college football?
Though Nwosu didn’t make Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freak’s List” again this summer (He was No. 91 in 2024), he at least was mentioned.
Feldman noted how his bench press of 390 pounds “has to make him the strongest punter in college football.”
He may have the strongest leg, all-around, too. He also challenged for the starting placekicking job during preseason camp and made a 62-yard field goal during a practice in Beaver Stadium.
The kick, Franklin noted, would have been good from 65 or 66 yards.
Gabe Nwosu has intriguing off-field interests
Nwosu received Academic All-Big Ten honors three times in earning his undergraduate degree in supply chain and information systems.
In high school, he helped organized efforts to send shoes and soccer balls with autographed messages of hope to children in Nigeria.
He also plays the cello.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
