Penn State Daily Headlines: Thursday, May 25

June is nearly upon us, and that means things are about to get even more hectic than usual for Penn State football coach James Franklin and his staff. The Nittany Lions are jamming at least eight different prospect camps into the month, including individual and team events. Two more camps are slated for late July.

You can see a complete rundown of which Penn State football camps are being held when below. Other dates may be added. As always, we will be there to cover all of the Elite Showcases and team competitions with multiple staffers.

Why does all of this matter? Well, thousands and thousands of young players will be getting a firsthand look at campus and at least some of the PSU facilities this month. At the individual camps, the staff is able to collect testing data and measurements from prospects who chose to go through those processes. The coaches are bound to find at least a few hidden gems along the way. And it is common for top prospects to attend the camps to show off their skills.

The players also get a chance to learn from Franklin, his staff, select PSU players who work the camps and coaches from other programs. And certain players — namely, the ones committed to the Nittany Lions and have nothing to prove — will take part simply to help themselves and their future program.

This is what recent quarterback commit Ethan Grunkemeyer had to tell us during an interview last week, when we asked about his summer plans.

“I'm gonna go to Penn State's camps, try to help them recruit some of the top kids and build relationships with the guys already committed — as well as keep building the relationships with Coach Franklin, Coach (Mike) Yurcich and Coach (Danny) O’Brien,” Grunkemeyer said. “You know, just keep building that and learning from them. I think camps are going to be huge, trying to get get more tips from them in the summer before you get on campus.”

Here is an overview of what the different camps entail. We follow with a chronological breakdown of the camp schedule.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT CAMPS ALL ABOUT?

Elite Showcases (So far: June 4, 11, 21; July 28): These events are open to players who are entering grade nine and up next fall. These are no-pad, no-helmet camps. Young athletes are tested, then instructed by James Franklin, his staff, PSU players, and coaches from other schools. There are also one-on-one competitions. Franklin addresses players’ parents and guardians before the camp and the players after camp. The events cover about three and a half hours. Cost: $45 per athlete; $40 per athlete for groups of 10 or more.

Lion Strong 7On Passing Camp & Big Man Challenges (June 16, 23): These events include 7-on-7 passing camps for high school teams and/or non-scholastic travel teams, as well as big man strength and agility competitions for offensive and defensive linemen from those teams. Pads are not worn but helmets can be if both teams competing have them. The passing competitions mostly take place on the IM Fields. Pool play begins at 10:30 a.m. and the championship round begins at 4:30 p.m. The big man competition take place on the practice fields near Lasch Building and in Holuba Hall. It begins at 10:30 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. Cost: Varies by team size.

Mini Camps (June 16, 23; July 29): These events are shortened versions of the Elite Showcases for players from grades nine and up who can’t make the longer camps. They last one and a half hours. Cost: $25 per athlete.

Specialist Camp (June 24): This is a day-long camp for players entering grades nine and up. Kickers, punters and snappers take part. Cost: $45 per athlete.

PENN STATE FOOTBALL 2023 CAMP BREAKDOWN*

June 4 (Sunday): Elite Showcase 1

June 11 (Sunday): Elite Showcase 2

June 16 (Friday): Lion Strong 7On Passing Camp & Big Man Challenge

June 16 (Friday): Mini Camp 1

June 21 (Wednesday): Elite Showcase 3

June 23 (Friday): Lion Strong 7On Passing Camp & Big Man Challenge

June 23 (Friday): Mini Camp 2

June 24 (Saturday): Specialist Camp

July 28 (Friday): Elite Showcase 4

July 29 (Saturday): Mini Camp 3

*As of May 25, 2023