Experiencing its first opt-out and a change in the defensive staff, the Nittany Lions' bowl preparation is happening during an important transitory period.
"One of the first things I told Coach Pry when he left was that the standard's not changing. I'm still gonna expect greatness from the young guys -- still gonna teach them, coach them."
Smith totaled 131 tackles over the course of his three-year career for the Nittany Lions.
"I think that I definitely want to right the ship and to do it the way that I want."
"We had to do better in the city limits. We made a conscious effort to own our mistakes."
The intersection between NIL and recruiting is growing increasingly important, and Penn State knows it needs to catch up.