While the 2023 football season isn’t for another eight months, it’s never too early to talk about Penn State football.

After an impressive 11-2 season capped off by a dominant 35-21 win over Utah in the Rose Bowl, the Nittany Lions are riding the high of an impressive year heading into the offseason. Penn State finished No. 7 in the final AP Top 25 Poll, setting itself up for high expectations heading into the 2023 season.

Although it’s “way too early,” many college football experts predicted an ~elite~ squad in early 2023 season rankings.

Athlon Sports slotted Penn State at No. 8 in the top 25 rankings, while Mark Schlabach of ESPN ranked James Franklin’s group at No. 6. Meanwhile, Brad Crawford of 247Sports and Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated locked the Nittany Lions in the top five of their rankings, predicting the team to land at No. 5 and No. 4, respectively.

Penn State has a multitude of talent returning next season and is headlined by two dominant sophomore running backs in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, along with a former five-star prospect Drew Allar. On the defensive side, Abdul Carter, Chop Robinson, Kalen King, Adisa Isaac, and potentially Curtis Jacobs will lead the way for Manny Diaz’s crew.

In less than eight months, James Franklin’s roster will have the chance to do something special, riding the momentum of a commanding season and optimistic predictions to back it.