Penn State players weigh in on their future with the program

By Greg Pickel

NEW YORK — The 2025 Penn State football team will spend its final hours together celebrating on a bus ride back to State College from the Bronx after beating Clemson, 22-10, in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. Some previous members of the program are already where they’re going to play or coach in 2026. Others will head to their next destination as soon as Sunday. And many more will make their intentions known in the days ahead about whether they will be with the Lions next year. It’s why, following the win, some of the younger members of the team were asked about their future plans.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer was one of them. He will have to decide whether or not he wants to stay in State College under Matt Campbell or look for a starting spot elsewhere. After throwing for 262 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win over the Tigers, he told reporters that he has not yet figured out what comes next.

“Going to work toward those [decisions],” Grunkemeyer said. “Just happy with the win right now, and those will be made further down the line. I’m not sure on the timeline. But definitely [will talk to] my parents, talking to God, and my agent, and what’s best for me.”

As for what he’s looking for, Grunkemeyer said, “Just a high-character staff somewhere that’s going to develop me to be the best player possible, and just keep working and trying to find a place that is going to be able to do that.”

Grunkemeyer added that he’s only briefly gotten to know Campbell and his new offensive coordinator, Taylor Mouser. But getting a better feel for their plan will be a big emphasis now.

What did Daryus Dixson, Quinton Martin Jr. say about their Penn State futures?

Martin played a starring role at running back in the Pinstripe Bowl. He took his first 20 carries of the season for 101 yards. The backfield obviously opens up for good now with Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen off to the NFL. Despite that, the Pittsburgh native did not say one way or the other where he’d be as a redshirt sophomore next fall.

“I’m going to talk to my family, just weigh my options, and just see where the Lord takes me,” Martin said. “Me and Coach Campbell, we didn’t get to meet up and talk yet, but he’s a great guy. We had a team meeting. I got the opportunity to listen to him speak, and I really like him. I like what he’s about. I like his culture, and I’m looking forward to speaking with him.”

Martin said a big part of his decision-making process will focus on finding trust, a family feeling, and winning.

Dixson, a true freshman cornerback, was the most straightforward of the trio when asked about his future.

“I haven’t really thought about that,” Dixson said. “So I mean, as of right now, I’m a Penn Stater. I would just say for myself, I’m just going to work better on my craft with football and just let God handle the rest of anything else that happens.”

Asked if he still wants to be at Penn State with the next staff, Dixson simply answered, “Yeah, for sure.”

We’ll see what happens with all three in the days ahead before the transfer portal officially opens on Jan. 2.