Penn State football features more ready-made national stars than ever under coach James Franklin.
All-America candidates from quarterback to running back to along both lines are a big reason why the Nittany Lions have their highest ranking and most preseason praise in three decades.
Why they're a six-touchdown favorite Aug. 30 against the Nevada Wolf Pack in Beaver Stadium.
But that almost certainly won't be enough to get them where they ultimately want to be in January.
This team also will rely on a host of its youngest players - those who haven't yet made their mark on the program - to man prime positions and fill holes yet to emerge.
Here are five freshmen to watch - those who could well provide the tipping points in Penn State's first national championship game appearance in nearly 40 years:
The true freshman from Florida has been earning practice buzz since the spring.
Firstly, he's physically ready for the Big Ten at 5-foot-11 and just over 200 pounds.
And he's impressed teammates and coaches with his route running and ability to snare contested catches. Coach James Franklin named him as part of team's top receiver rotation this week.
"I'm real excited about Koby, he's a playmaker out in space," quarterback Drew Allar said. "He'll make guys miss in space and also be a vertical threat for us, too."
Jaylen Harvey has oozed elite pass-rushing potential since he committed to the Lions out of high school and may get starter reps as early as Saturday, Aug. 30.
The Lions will need plenty of young, pass-rushing help to support star Dani Dennis-Sutton, and Harvey might get the first crack. His contributions could be especially critical until senior edge rusher Zuriah Fisher is a full-go, health-wise.
Harvey does own an experience advantage over rookies Chaz Coleman and Yvan Kemajou after playing in five games last year and looking good doing it.
The rookie defensive end has risen up the depth chart faster than maybe anyone else on the roster.
Coleman, a former Ohio high school quarterback, if you can believe, is 6-foot-4 and up to 250 pounds now. He's been stunning teammates with his fast-learning and early pass-rushing repertoire.
He and cornerback Daryus Dixson are the only true freshmen who have been "green-lighted," so far, to play in as many games as possible in 2025.
"Everybody is talking about him," Franklin said, midway through summer camp. "It's early, but he's flashed, and there's a lot of excitement about his abilities."
The California native is being described as the most mature, ready-to-play rookie.
Of course, Daryus Dixon also is stuck in arguably the deepest position group on the team - cornerback. No matter, he figures to find his way on the field early on special teams and with early backup minutes on defense in expected blowout victories.
How quickly can he push for regular rotation time in Big Ten games? He may be too good not to play a prime role by midseason.
Kudos to redshirt freshman Antoine Belgrave-Shorter for earning the second starting safety spot this week, beating out his older, more publicized teammates.
Can the top turnover-producer in preseason camp continue to hold off transfer King Mack and sophomore Dejuan Lane?
Unlike cornerback, safety does not feature a stockpile of proven depth beind All-America candidate Zakee Wheatley. Production may be at a premium.
And so Belgrave-Shorter's rise from little-used rookie to starter could be one of the top early storylines for new coordinator Jim Knowles.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.