With the completion of the 2025-26 NFL season and weeks from College Football’s spring camp window, we find ourselves in the midst of the largest football drought of the calendar year. While that can be tough, it can at least be thought-provoking.

That brings us to college basketball and its recent controversies involving Charles Bediako and James Nnaji, two players who signed contracts with NBA teams but have since returned to the NCAA through a loophole to play for Alabama and Baylor, respectively. Realistically, the concept of an NFL practice squad player being able to return to NCAA football is downright impossible, but what if it wasn’t…

Staying within this fabricated, hypothetical scenario, our staff brainstormed which of Penn State’s current NFL players they would bring back to Happy Valley to benefit the program most in the 2026 season.

Cadyn Gill: Olu Fashanu

An offensive lineman isn’t a sexy pick, but it’s a responsible one. In his two years as a starter for Penn State, Olu Fashanu earned first-team All-American honors and was named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. He served as an anchor at left tackle for the Nittany Lions, boasting fluid pass-blocking abilities and an explosive first step. These traits would be greatly welcomed by a Penn State unit that’s losing four starters on the offensive line heading into the Fall.

Giving starting quarterback Rocco Becht a 6’6 Fashanu, who consistently stonewalled Big Ten rushers, to protect his blind side would provide a heightened sense of security as he integrates himself into the Nittany Lion offense.

Michael Siroty: Tyler Warren

I’d like 2024 Tyler Warren, please. This dude couldn’t be stopped.

Conner Patterson: Allen Robinson

I would choose wide receiver Allen Robinson for my player to return to Penn State. In his time with Penn State, he had two 1,000-yard seasons. Penn State hasn’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since 2021 with Jahan Dotson, and the 2024 playoff game against Notre Dame was even more painful, where it didn’t even have a wide receiver tally one reception. The wide receiver department has been embarrassing as of late, to say the least. The legendary Penn Stater would resurrect that receiver room instantly, which is something the offense has desperately needed for years.

Oscar Orellana: Ji’Ayir Brown

As much as I hate the 49ers, Ji’Ayir Brown would have been such a needed asset on Penn State’s team this season. It’s no secret that the defense as a whole wasn’t great, but the secondary was abysmal through some portions of the season.

The Nittany Lions couldn’t get stops at UCLA, Iowa, and Ohio State. Ohio State especially thrashed the squad through the air with Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Tate. Having Brown there would have been an elite addition. Would Penn State have won those games? Probably not. But I don’t think they would have been as ugly as they were with Brown in the lineup.

Brown has blossomed into an upper-tier safety in the league. He had two picks for San Francisco in 2025 and is a valuable starter now.

Holden Mostovsky: Chris Godwin

Penn State lacked receiver talent the past few years. The current roster has potential, but the production hasn’t been great. The last player that stood out was Jahon Dotson, but he was drafted in 2022. Receivers such as Trebor Peña, Kyron Hudson, and Devonte Ross could be stars, but simply haven’t reached their highest potential thus far.

Coaching changes could have something to do with that issue, especially with James Franklin being fired mid-season and Allar getting hurt. However, Penn State has relied on its tight ends and run game more often. There needs to be a receiver who can take offensive weight off running backs and tight ends.

In Chris Godwin’s first year, he didn’t produce the best stats, with only 26 receptions, 338 yards, and two touchdowns. But the fact that he played as a freshman at all is impressive. However, in his second and third years, he had a combined total of 128 receptions, 2,083 yards, and 16 touchdowns.

His career total was 153 receptions, 2,404 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns. Our receivers last season all combined for nine touchdowns, less than Chris Godwin’s junior year alone. Trebor Peña also led in receiving yards, with 552, which isn’t the worst, but Penn State could easily do better. If Godwin were on the team today, the Nittany Lions’ receiving unit would have a true playmaker.

Godwin’s ability to make impressive catches and find open space made him a standout player. Furthermore, in big game situations, he stepped up.

In the Rose Bowl game against USC in 2017, Godwin put up nine catches, 187 yards, and two touchdowns. If he were put into games such as the White Out against Oregon or the 2024 home game against Ohio State, Penn State could have potentially won with a bigger offensive weapon.

Godwin could definitely help the Nittany Lions pick up the offensive pace and get back on track toward playoff appearances.