5 gifts Penn State fans would like to receive during the holiday season, from portal outcomes to the bowl, more

Merry Christmas Eve and Happy Holidays, Penn State fans. Whether you celebrate something, be it a holiday, National Signing Day, or bowl season at this time of year, or are instead just constantly looking for the next big Nittany Lion victory, we know you all are hoping for something at the end of December. Thus, we give you a list of five things, in no particular order, that you’d probably want most in the days ahead.

1. Something(s) good to happen in the portal

If a dollar was donated to a fund for every question we receive about when Penn State will make more splashes in the portal, Blue-White Illustrated could probably start its own NIL collective. And, look, we get it: The Lions have clear needs, specifically at wide receiver. Targets have visited but have not yet made a decision. And, other schools, like Peach Bowl opponent Ole Miss, are seemingly adding a new player from the portal every time the hour hand passes a new number. But that is not and will not be the Penn State approach under James Franklin, whether fans like it or not. The progam will be selective. It will be certain it is adding the right fit on the field and in the locker room. And, it is going to be deliberate instead of rushing into a potentially bad decision.

In other words, to get and fully enjoy this gift, Penn State fans will need to practice patience. Which, of course, is easier said than done. Remember that undergraduates have until Jan. 2 to state their intent to enter the portal. Graduates can go in at any time. Decisions can be made whenever a prospect wants to make one. For the Lions, the goal must be to get whoever they want on campus for the start of the spring semester. But, if they have to wait until the summer, they will if they deem it worthwhile to do so.

2. No more coaching staff attrition

The off-season is not here yet. But, before long, bowl season will be over. The NFL coaching carousel has hardly started to spin. And, jobs are still open at some colleges at this moment in time. Penn State already has two new coordinators ahead of the 2024 season. But, it so far has not lost a position coach. It does not want to. But, as we saw last year, late changes are possible ahead of spring practice. The Lions will be best served, however, by keeping the rest of its on-field staff in tact heading into the new year.

3. Trey Wallace III to play in the bowl game

This one will be determined sooner than the other two, in all likelihood. The third-year Penn State receiver has been sidelined since the Indiana game with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Fans would like to see nothing more than the speedy, sure-handed pass catcher healthy enough to play in the Peach Bowl. It would serve two purposes. One, obviously, would be to help the Lions have their best chance to win. The second, however, would be to boost a passing attack that looked better down the stretch but still needs more consistent, reliable weapons. Wallace III missing the final game of the 2023 season wouldn’t be the end of the world. But, having him in action would be a nice bonus.

4. Penn State leaving the Peach Bowl healthy and with a win

Nothing dampens the outcome of a bowl game, win or lose, like seeing a player leave the game with an injury. Some will be short-term, of course. Others could have more of a long-term impact. None of them are good, however. Penn State wants nothing more than to both become the first team to win every New Year’s Six Bowl game at least once and leave with a roster full of healthy players who are ready to tackle winter workouts head-on early in 2024.

5. Continued success in the Class of 2025

Before 2022 turned into 2023, Penn State had just one Class of 2024 commitment. Before 2023 turns into 2024, the Lions have seven in the Class of 2025 after Pittsburgh cornerback Xxavier Thomas joined the program back on Thursday. The Lions are sure to try and add some more talent in January and February. So, this gift may take some time to arrive, too. But, we’re betting it does before spring practice begins.

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