Blue-White Breakdown | A Penn State Football Podcast from Pennlive.com

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal sat down for their weekly live session to break down one of the biggest question marks for Penn State this offseason, which was just hurt by a transfer entry. Plus, some more wrapping up from spring practice and an ode to a college football legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive’s Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders discuss the impact of veteran offensive lineman JB Nelson leaving Penn State’s program on this episode. Nelson, a veteran who can play guard or tackle, was a contender to start in the fall. His departure likely creates a huge opportunity for second-year interior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins to step in at one of the guard spots. Johnny and Bob also...

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal discuss all things running back, quarterback and offensive line through Penn State spring practice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Flounders is joined by PennLive’s Evan Wheaton to discuss a pair of talented Penn State 2026 verbal commitments – Kevin Brown and Messiah Mickens. The Harrisburg High School stars are two of the top football talents in the nation. The 6-5, 270-pound Brown is a standout offensive tackle prospect and the 5-10, 200-pound Mickens is an elite running back. Wheaton provides insight into what makes b...

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal dug into their takeaways from Penn State’s second media viewing session of spring practice, including a big one: Will the Nittany Lions look to add a wide receiver soon? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive’s Max Ralph and Bob Flounders break down some good news on the Penn State recruiting front on this episode. Max and Bob offer updates on a pair of running back targets, Harrisburg’s Messiah Mickens and McKeesport’s Kemon Spell. Penn State also got a commitment from talented 2027 wideout Khalil Taylor from Seton-LaSalle. Over the weekend, Penn State also provided a Blue-White game update w...

Bob Flounders and Max Ralph wrap up the Penn State Pro Day Friday in State College. Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren sat it out but several Nittany Lions did participate including safeties Kevin Winston Jr. and Jaylen Reed, linebacker Kobe King, cornerback Jalen Kimber and defensive linemen Jvon J-Thomas, Coziah Izzard and Amin Vanover, wide receiver Julian Fleming and offensive lineman Sal Wormley....

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph dive into the first day of Penn State's spring camp and what we expect from pro day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Bob Flounders examines the many reasons why the 2025 Penn State offensive line is poised to dominate defenses in the fall. Spring practices have begun, and the Nittany Lions return an offensive line group that is talented, experienced and deep. PSU's O-line was very good late in the 2024 season and it should be better this year. James Franklin and his offensive linemen have come a long...

It's a special edition of the Blue-White Breakdown with PennLive's Bob Flounders and Austin Hertzog. Bob and Austin detail some of the Penn State wrestling program's amazing accomplishments this season, which concluded over the weekend at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia. PSU won its 12th title in the last 14 seasons and set a new points record. James Franklin's Penn State program...

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Nick Farabaugh talk Penn State stars Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren, the Steelers and much more on this 2025 NFL draft special.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders dive into Penn State's group of transfer portal additions, a half-dozen players who could be critical to the Lions' 2025 success. It's easy to focus on wideouts Devonte Ross (Troy) and Kyron Hudson (USC) but James Franklin and his assistants have brought in a few players who could be critical to improvement on defense, as well. Learn more about your ad...

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders share their picks for potential Penn State breakout players this spring. James Franklin's Lions are replacing some significant talent from the 2024 team and Johnny and Bob have their focus on a few Penn State players — young and old — who could be the talk of spring drills. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive’s Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders react to the news that Penn State’s iconic Beaver Stadium has a new naming-rights partner in West Shore Home. Johnny and Bob discuss the importance and timing of the 15-year deal worth $50 million. Plus, two talented second-year PSU players – edge rusher Max Granville and interior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins – could loom large in Penn State’s 2025...

Ralph and Johnny McGonigal break down some younger names to watch as spring ball gets underway at the end of March. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders share their thoughts on how Penn State's five-player contingent fared at the recent NFL combine in Indianapolis. Jaylen Reed tested very well, and standout Abdul Carter may be dealing with more than one injury issue. Johnny and Bob also take a closer look at what wideout Tyseer Denmark and corner Elliot Washington II could do for the Lions in the fall....

PennLive's Bob Flounders shares his thoughts on a few significant Penn State football developments on this episode. Veteran defensive end Smith Vilbert is in the transfer portal, and it's hard to fathom why. He had a great opportunity in front of him in 2025. PSU great Trace McSorley is on James Franklin's staff and Bob looks back at his career and Trace's potential impact. Is Abdul Carter the bes...

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders share their takeaways from a couple of Penn State press conferences. PSU AD Pat Kraft and new RBs coach Stan Drayton met with media on Monday. Kraft provided a Beaver Stadium renovation update and discussed the Lions' wideout issues, among other things. Drayton had some comments on Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Plus, Johnny and Bob discuss a few of...

PennLive’s Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph discuss Ja’Juan Seider leaving for Notre Dame and Stan Drayton being hired as his replacement. They also preview next week’s NFL scouting combine, where Abdul Carter, Tyler Warren and others will represent the Nittany Lions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive’s Penn State coverage crew was in State Collete on Tuesday for James Franklin’s afternoon press conference. Bob Flounders and Johnny McGonigal discuss Franklin’s thoughts on the departure of running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider, who left to take the same position at Notre Dame. Franklin also went into some of the details that led to former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles becomi...

PennLive’s Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal fleshed out their initial thoughts on new Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, including the upcoming installation process for his defense and his Philadelphia ties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Penn State football fans, have we got a Blue-White Breakdown podcast for you. Special guest Doug Lesmerises, the creator of the Kings of the North college football podcast, joins Bob Flounders to discuss what new Penn State DC Jim Knowles brings to the table. Lesmerises, formerly of Cleveland.com, knows Knowles well from his days of covering Ohio State football. Doug also shares his thoughts on Dr...

Penn State pulled off one of the biggest moves of the offseason, stealing Jim Knowles away from rival Ohio State just one week after a national championship win. Paired with returning talent in 2025, Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal react to what it means for the Nittany Lions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders discuss the possibilities for James Franklin's Penn State program in 2025 as the Lions' offseason begins. You could a sound case PSU could be better this year. You could also make a case that a couple of Lions' issues will prevent that. Plus, Johnny and Bob look back at the completed 12-team playoff and Johnny reveals where he had Penn State on his fin...

Penn State received all kinds of news Monday, from the return of Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen and Dani Dennis-Sutton to the departure of defensive coordinator Tom Allen. Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal recapped all the news, how it happened, why it happened and the future ramifications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices