Welcome back to Hardcore Penn State Football, your unfiltered deep dive into Nittany Lions news, analysis, and fan-driven discussions! In this episode – dropping January 8, 2026 – hosts Cory Lestochi & Shawn Kane kick off the new year by celebrating the 2025 season with our annual fan-voted award show, debating Penn State's transfer portal performance so far, and breaking down the latest defensive line additions amid the ongoing roster rebuild under Matt Campbell. With the portal window in full swing, we're unpacking the highs, lows, and what it all means for a reloaded 2026 squad. Whether you're reminiscing about last season or hyped for the future, this one's for the true blue-and-white faithful!

It's time for the third annual Hardies Award Show – our fan-powered recap of the 2025 Nittany Lions campaign! Voted on exclusively by you, the listeners and followers, we reveal winners in categories like Offensive MVP (shoutout to RB Kaytron Allen's monster 1,303-yard, 15-TD season), Defensive Standout, Best Game (that 37-10 Nebraska blowout), Worst Moment (the heartbreaking Northwestern loss), and more surprises.

The portal frenzy has been chaotic for PSU, with over 40 players exiting and a heavy influx from Iowa State – but is it enough, or have the Nittany Lions fallen short? Shawn argues the case for underwhelm, pointing to massive losses like QB Ethan Grunkemeyer, multiple DEs (Zuriah Fisher, Jaylen Harvey, Chaz Coleman), and the need for more high-impact non-ISU additions amid a $30M NIL commitment. Cory counters with the positives: 24 incoming transfers (including QB Rocco Becht and RB James Peoples from Ohio State), key retentions like LB Tony Rojas and OT Anthony Donkoh, and how Campbell's strategy avoids over-relying on portal-heavy rebuilds that often flop. We debate fan opinions from social media and break down position-by-position impacts on the offense and defense. The DL room gets a much-needed boost! Amid heavy losses (Dani Dennis-Sutton to NFL, Xavier Gilliam and others to portal), PSU lands key additions like DT Keanu Williams (from UCLA, a plug-and-play interior force), DL Alijah Carnell (from Iowa State, 6-6, 290-pound athlete with Big 12 experience), DT Armstrong Nnodim (from Oklahoma State, 11 tackles in 2025 as a redshirt freshman), and EDGE Alexander McPherson (from Colorado, 6-6, 250-pounder with three years left and 16 tackles as a rookie).

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Welcome back to Hardcore Penn State Football, the ultimate podcast for raw breakdowns, insider intel, and bold takes on the Nittany Lions! In this explosive episode – dropping January 6, 2026 – hosts Shawn Kane & Cory Lestochi dissect the chaotic transfer portal frenzy reshaping Happy Valley under head coach Matt Campbell. With over 30 players bolting and a flood of Iowa State talent incoming, we're covering the blockbuster addition of QB Rocco Becht, the raid on Cyclone players (including three key linebackers & receivers), record-setting departures, new defensive line coaches, and crucial retentions keeping PSU competitive. From roster rebuilds to Big Ten implications, this is your essential guide to the 2026 Nittany Lions.

The portal delivers a game-changer! Former Iowa State starter Rocco Becht, with 26 career wins and 64 passing TDs (second in Cyclones history), commits to PSU for his final season, reuniting with coach Campbell. Shawn analyzes Becht's stats (over 5,000 yards in two seasons as a starter) and film, highlighting his accuracy, mobility, and leadership in leading ISU to an 8-4 record in 2025. Cory discusses how this stabilizes the QB room post-Ethan Grunkemeyer's exit and sets up an immediate contender vibe for 2026. Campbell's Ames pipeline is open wide – PSU lands 19 transfers from Iowa State, including All-Big 12 standouts and starters galore. We spotlight the three linebackers: Kooper Ebel (149 career tackles, two-year starter), Caleb Bacon (team-leading 9.5 TFLs and 3 sacks in 2025), and Cael Brezina (young depth piece). Other highlights: RB Carson Hansen (952 rush yards), TE Benjamin Brahmer (All-Big 12, 6 TDs), S Marcus Neal (77 tackles), and more like WR Karon Brookins and OL Trevor Buhr. Our hosts break down how this "Cyclone invasion" addresses defensive gaps and adds proven Big 12 experience.

The coaching transition hits hard – over 30 Nittany Lions enter the portal, a program high amid the Franklin-to-Campbell shift. Shawn details key losses like QB Ethan Grunkemeyer, S King Mack (58 tackles), OT J'ven Williams, WR Josiah Brown, and DEs like Zuriah Fisher and Jaylen Harvey. Cory explores the ripple effects on depth, NIL factors, and how Campbell's staff is plugging holes fast. Bolstering the trenches! PSU hires Ikaika Malloe (former UCLA DC) as DL coach and run game coordinator, reuniting him with new DC D'Anton Lynn. We also discuss the pursuit of Northwestern's Christian Smith for another DL role, specifically working with the defensive ends. Shawn evaluates Malloe's track record (Hawaii native, West Coast coaching ties) and how he replaces Deion Barnes, emphasizing run defense schemes. Cory predicts impacts on recruits and transfers like DT Keanu Williams.

Amid the chaos, big wins in retention! Standouts sticking around include LB Tony Rojas (star returnee), OL Anthony Donkoh, Cooper Cousins, and five-star OT Malachi Goodman; CB Daryus Dixson; five-star RB Quinton Martin Jr.; WR Koby Howard; DE Max Granville; and TE Andrew Rappleyea. Our hosts rank the top retentions (Dixson No. 1 for secondary stability) and debate how these holdovers blend with portal additions for a playoff-caliber squad.

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Welcome back to Hardcore Penn State Football, the premier podcast delivering raw analysis, exclusive breakdowns, and unfiltered passion for everything Nittany Lions! In this post-holiday special – recorded December 29, 2025 – hosts Shawn Kane & Cory Lestochi celebrate the end of a turbulent 2025 season while looking ahead to the Matt Campbell rebuild. Fresh off a gritty bowl win, we're dissecting the victory over Clemson, the blockbuster hire of D'Anton Lynn as defensive coordinator, the impending transfer portal opening, and answering your fan questions. From on-field heroics to offseason strategy, this episode is your roadmap to PSU's 2026 resurgence in the Big Ten.

Despite a sloppy, error-filled game on both sides, PSU (finishing 7-6) dominated with a stout defense and timely plays, holding the Tigers (also 7-6) to just one touchdown. We discuss interim coaching impacts, fan reactions in the Bronx cold, and how this win provides closure to the James Franklin era while boosting morale for Campbell's takeover. Big news from Happy Valley – Matt Campbell has landed USC's D'Anton Lynn as PSU's new DC! The former Nittany Lion letterman (a standout player in the early 2010s) is returning home after two successful seasons transforming USC's defense. Shawn dives into Lynn's coaching pedigree – son of NFL coach Anthony Lynn, with stints at UCLA and the Ravens – and why his aggressive, player-development-focused schemes are a perfect fit for PSU's talent-laden unit. We explore the pursuit (Franklin chased him last offseason), contract buzz, and potential staff additions like Rob Ryan.

The offseason heats up as the NCAA's new singular winter transfer portal window officially opens this Friday, January 2, 2026, running through January 16! With the spring window eliminated starting this cycle, this 15-day frenzy is make-or-break for roster building. Our hosts preview PSU's strategy under Campbell: Targeting QBs, OL reinforcements, and defensive depth to fill gaps from graduations and NFL declarations. We discuss early announcements (players can signal intent now), NIL implications, and rivals' moves. Cory warns of potential outgoing transfers like underutilized backups, while Shawn spotlights portal gems that could flip the script for 2026.

You asked, we deliver! In our extended mailbag, we tackle your top queries from social media and email – What does Lynn's hire mean for the scheme? Who's PSU's top portal target? Bowl MVP debates? And more.

If this episode has you pumped for the Campbell era, smash LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and enable notifications for instant drops! Comment below: Biggest win from the bowl, or most excited about Lynn? Share with your PSU crew!

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