The Lions Den

Penn State punter Riley Thompson joins teammate Dvon J-Thomas and The Lion's Den host Aeneas Hawkins in today's exclusive interview. Thompson discusses the transition to American football and how learning more about situational football has helped him succeed. The guys talk through the importance of special teams at Penn State and how they help win football games. Get all your Penn State apparel n...

Penn State defensive lineman Smith Vilbert joins teammate Dvon J-Thomas and The Lion's Den host Aeneas Hawkins in today's exclusive interview. Vilbert opens up on his journey fighting through adversity to come back with a huge play in Penn State's week one statement win. The guys discuss the 2024 PSU defense starting fast and look forward to building upon that coming back home. Get all your Penn S...

Nick Dawkins joins Aeneas Hawkins on today's episode of The Lions Den. Nick Dawkins gives viewers an inside look into how the team is adjusting to Andy Kotelnicki's new offense, the top spring ball standouts thus far, and how his mindset has evolved since breaking into Penn State's starting offensive line. Nick also talks about how the defense has adjusted to Tom Allen's new scheme and the recent...

Former Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg joins Aeneas Hawkins on today's new episode of The Lions Den. Christian Hackenberg talks about the highs and lows of his Penn State career, from navigating the NCAA sanctions to saving Penn State Football from the ashes and the change of guard from Bill O'Brien to James Franklin. Hack also opens up about his rookie season in the NFL, provides some predicti...

Former Penn State offensive lineman Landon Tengwall joins Nick Dawkins, Jerry Cross and Aeneas Hawkins on today's new episode of The Lions Den. Landon Tengwall talks about all the factors that went into his decision to retire from Penn State football and how he's adjusting to life off the gridiron. Together, the guys reveal their funniest "oh sh*t" moments at PSU, make their cases for their NCAA F...

Nick Dawkins and Aeneas Hawkins talk about the current state of NIL at Penn State in today's new episode of The Lions Den. The guys explain why NIL alignment and support are crucial for a national championship in Happy Valley. Dawk gives an offseason update on the team and shares his thoughts on the newest transfers, Julian Fleming and Nolan Rucci. Hawk reflects back on his playing days and shares...

Penn State DT's Dvon Ellies and Hakeem Beamon join Aeneas Hawkins and Jerry Cross on today's new episode of The Lions Den. The guys talk about adjusting to Tom Allen's culture now that he's the defensive coordinator, new transfers joining the team, and their best stories from winter workouts. The guys also reflect on the Peach Bowl loss and share their offseason goals heading into the 2024 season....

Penn State OL Olu Fashanu joins Aeneas Hawkins, Nick Dawkins, and Jerry Cross on today's new episode of The Lions Den. Olu Fashanu reflects back on his Penn State career and shares some of his best stories from playing at PSU. Olu also talks about his close relationship with James Franklin, the mindset it took to develop into an NFL-caliber lineman, and more. Tune in for another great episode of T...

Washington Commanders and former Penn State WR Mitchell Tinsley joins Aeneas Hawkins on today's new episode of The Lions Den. Mitchell Tinsley talks about adjusting to life in the NFL, Sean Clifford vs. Drew Allar, and the highs and lows of his Penn State journey. Mitchell also explains his unique path to the NFL as a Juco product and reveals the mindset it took for him to make the jump from Juco...

Brandon Bell joins Aeneas Hawkins on today's new episode of The Lions Den. Aeneas and Brandon break down Manny Diaz's exit, potential transfer portal targets for Penn State, and the Nittany Lions' upcoming Peach Bowl matchup against Ole Miss. Tune in for another great episode of The Lions Den and be sure to grab your Peach Bowl merch in the link below!  BOWL GAME MERCH: • T-Shirt: https://shop.tea...

Penn State football player Jaylen Reed joins Aeneas Hawkins, Nick Dawkins, and Jerry Cross on today's episode of The Lions Den. Jaylen gives an inside look at Manny Diaz's coaching style and what makes him one of the best defensive coordinators in the nation. The boys also debate which Penn State coach would win in a fist fight, including James Franklin. Later in the episode, the boys talk about N...

Penn State Football Player, Dvon Ellies, joins Aeneas Hawkins on today's episode of The Lions Den. Dvon Ellies talks about Jame's Franklin's coaching tactics, Manny Diaz's football genius, and the 2023 Nittany Lions defense. Aeneas and Dvon also share the true story behind their in-practice fight. Tune in for another great episode of The Lions Den! Get 15% off The Lions Den Merch with code LIONSDE...

Former Penn State Football Player, Robert Windsor, joins Aeneas Hawkins on today's episode of The Lions Den. Robert Windsor talks about his unique journey to Penn State, his ups and downs as a player, and his time in both the NFL and XFL. Tune in for another great episode of The Lions Den! Get 15% off site wide with code LIONSDEN15 at https://shop.teammercury.io/discount/LIONSDEN15?redirect=%2Fcol...

Penn State Football Player, Riley Thompson, joins Aeneas Hawkins, Nick Dawkins, and Jerry Cross on today's episode of The Lions Den. Riley Thompson talks about growing up in Australia, some of the biggest shocks of living in America, the PSU atmosphere and more. Tune in for another great episode of The Lions Den! MERCH: https://shop.teammercury.io/collections/the-lions-den FOLLOW THE LIONS DEN HER...

Penn State Football Players, Theo Johnson & Kaden Saunders, join Aeneas Hawkins, Nick Dawkins, and Jerry Cross on today's episode of The Lions Den. Theo Johnson & Kaden Saunders talk about their journey to Penn State, playing for Coach James Franklin, what fans can expect from the Ohio State game, and more. Tune in for another great episode of The Lions Den! Huge shoutout to Champs Downtown for th...

Penn State LB Tyler Elsdon joins Aeneas Hawkins, Nick Dawkins, and Jerry Cross on today's episode of The Lions Den. Tyler Elsdon discusses Penn State's LB room, overcoming adversity in his college football journey, and even reveals some wild stories from Penn State's winter workouts. Tyler also talks about his military background, mentality on the field, and his welcome to college football moment....

Zane Durant joins Aeneas Hawkins, Nick Dawkins, and Jerry Cross on today's episode of The Lions Den. Zane thinks back to his freshman year at Penn State and reflects on how far he's come since then. Zane gives fans an inside look into his relationships with coaching staff, fellow teammates, and the state of Pennsylvania as a whole after growing up in Florida. The boys also share a typical football...

Tyler Warren joins Aeneas Hawkins, Nick Dawkins, and Jerry Cross on today's episode of The Lions Den. Tyler recaps his 2 TD performance against Iowa in Penn State's White Out Game and reflects on his journey at Penn State thus far. Tyler gives fans an inside look at his unconventional recruiting process, freshman initiation, relationship with TE Theo Johnson, and how he's developed into a leader o...

Curtis Jacobs joins Aeneas Hawkins, Nick Dawkins, and Jerry Cross on today's episode of The Lions Den. Curtis Jacobs opens up about his time at Penn State, recruiting journey, what he learned playing alongside Micah Parsons, and more. The boys also recap Penn State's win over Illinois and offer an inside look at the Nittany Lions' week 4 matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes. MERCH: https://shop.teamm...

Theo Johnson joins Aeneas Hawkins, Nick Dawkins, and Jerry Cross on today's episode of The Lions Den. Theo Johnson talks about his journey to Penn State, his battles with adversity, relationship with Ty Howle & Tyler Warren, why Penn State has such a special TE room, and more. MERCH: https://shop.teammercury.io/collections/the-lions-den FOLLOW THE LIONS DEN HERE: ► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.c...

KeAndre Lambert-Smith joins Aeneas Hawkins, Nick Dawkins, and Jerry Cross on today's episode of The Lions Den. KeAndre Lambert-Smith opens up about his journey to becoming Penn State's WR1, breakout performance against West Virginia in week 1, chemistry with QB Drew Allar, and more. KeAndre Lambert-Smith also reveals the best trash talkers at Penn State, including former Nittany Lion Joey Porter J...

Aeneas Hawkins, Nick Dawkins, and Jerry Cross have teamed up with State Media to bring you the first-ever, player-led Penn State Football podcast. With The Lions Den Podcast, you'll get an exclusive look into the world of Penn State Football, straight from the source. Each episode will break down the action on the field, feature interviews with current Penn State players, and provide an unparallel...