Penn State key dates: Setting the Nittany Lion football calendar in 2022

The new family calendar arrived over Christmas. In some cases, probably Penn State-themed.

Putting to rest a 2021 year that began last winter with a resumption of something approximating more normal protocols for the program, followed through the spring and summer leading into a 5-0 start, and closed with a disappointing 2-6 finish, the page can now turn over.

With that in mind, it’s time to fill in those calendars with the important dates and periods that will mark the next 12 months for the Nittany Lions. From the start of Penn State’s academic spring semester through the Blue-White Game, preseason practices, and the season itself, here are the defining events of the coming months for the Nittany Lion football program: 

Setting Penn State’s 2022 calendar

January

Early enrollees arrive (Jan. 10)

The future is now for nearly half of Penn State’s Class of 2022 that signed to the program on Dec. 15, 2021.

Out of 23 signed commitments into the Nittany Lion family, 10 are set to arrive this weekend. They’ll settle in and, nearly instantaneously, will begin classes on Monday, Jan. 10.

As has become a tradition at Penn State, expect the social media accounts to include photographs of themselves sitting in the front of classrooms while tagging head coach James Franklin.

Penn State’s early enrollees include quarterbacks Drew Allar and Beau Pribula, running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, tight end Jerry Cross, receivers Kaden Saunders and Omari Evans, offensive lineman JB Nelson, defensive linemen Zane Durant, and corner Cam Miller.

February

Senior Bowl (Feb. 5)

So far, Jaquan Brisker, Jesse Luketa, Jahan Dotson, Tariq Castro-Fields, Jordan Stout, and Arnold Ebiketie have all publicly accepted invitations to participate in the event, though only Castro-Fields and Brisker are presently listed on the game’s website. 

Certainly, there could be more.

While linebacker Brandon Smith will have to wait for his opportunity to vie for eyes ahead of his NFL foray, Penn State has a wide swath of seniors who will put their talents on display for scouts in February. 

Offensive lineman Eric Wilson has accepted an invitation to the NFLPA Bowl (Jan. 29). Ellis Brooks, Derrick Tangelo, and John Lovett have not yet indicated whether they’ll participate in a post-season showcase game. 

March

NFL Draft Combine (March 1-7), Spring practice starts (Mid-March)

Following a one-year hiatus due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the combine will be back in Indianapolis in March.

A specific schedule has not yet been released by the NFL, but the event is set to run from Tuesday through Monday the first week in March. If the most recent format holds, (making a few assumptions about invitations) Dotson would work out with the receivers on Thursday, Mar. 3, Stout would appear on Friday the 4th, Ebiketie and Brandon Smith would go on-field on Saturday the 5th, and Brisker and possibly Castro-Fields would compete at Lucas Oil Stadium on the 6th.

Though an official date has not yet been released, Penn State football will also be back to kick off its 15 spring practices in the middle of the month. 

April

Blue-White Game (April 23)

It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, and the sentiment will certainly be true for Penn State fans this spring.

After two years without hosting a full house (or anything approximating it) for the Blue-White Game, all signs are pointing back toward a more traditional affair on Saturday, April 23. The 15th and final practice of a spring that is undeniably critical to the program’s future coming off a 7-6 2021 campaign, the event will offer a first look at the 10 early enrollees, the ascendant underclassmen expected to take on bigger roles in 2022, and certainly, any potential holes that might still need to be filled through the transfer portal. 

May

Evaluation period ends (May 31)

Running from April 15 through May 31, Penn State’s coaching staff will be on the road to evaluate its next classes of prospects. 

A total of 168 days are available for evaluation among the Nittany Lions’ staff, rules allowing off-campus recruiters to evaluate both athletic ability as well as academics of prospects.

Memorial Day (May 30) and Sundays are excluded from the process, all of it setting up what has become a key month in the recruiting calendar in June.

June

Elite Showcases (June weekends)

This past year, Penn State returned to its relatively normal schedule for on-campus camps, welcoming recruits on three successive weekends in June.

Dates have not yet been announced for the program’s Elite Showcases, nor the Lion Strong 7On Passing Camp and Big Man Challenge, which was held the final Friday in June last year. 

July

Big Ten Media Days (July 21/22)

Though not yet formalized, the annual event welcoming all 14 Big Ten programs will again take place this year in late July.

And certainly, it will set the table for Penn State’s 2022 season.

James Franklin will be joined by three of his top seniors as the football season enjoys its unofficial kickoff. 

August

Preseason practice (early August)

The Nittany Lions kicked off their 2021 preseason on August 6, 2021, making this year’s equivalent the 5th of August.

Regardless of the specific date, the month marks the home stretch of the seven months of work that leads into it. 

Eventually opening the season slate on Sept. 3 at Purdue, the Nittany Lions will have about three weeks of practices before flipping into game-week mode for the Boilermakers on Wednesday, Aug. 24 (if convention holds).

September

At Auburn (Sept. 17)

Opening the Big Ten slate on the road for the seventh season in a row, this time at Purdue, the challenge doesn’t get any easier two weeks later.

After topping the Tigers at Beaver Stadium last season, the Nittany Lions have to return the favor. That will take shape with a trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 17. 

The Tigers wrapped up Bryan Harsin’s first season with the program with a 6-7 record. It included a five-game slide to end the year. Next year, they’ll face Mercer and San Jose State in the two weeks leading into the Nittany Lions.

October

Ohio State (Oct. 1), at Michigan (Oct. 8)

Penn State’s resumption of conference play can’t be any more challenging.

Welcoming Ohio State to Beaver Stadium on Oct. 1, the Nittany Lions will look to crack a streak of five consecutive losses to the Buckeyes. 

Just one week later, Penn State will have another dragon to slay. The Nittany Lions will travel to face this year’s Big Ten champ and CFP participant, Michigan.

November

at Indiana (Nov. 5)

For as difficult as is Penn State’s October slate, getting Illinois and Michigan State, too, November appears more manageable. 

Reputation alone won’t lead the Nittany Lions to wins, though. The first test of the month comes with a trip to Indiana on Nov. 5. They’ll also need to overcome flashbacks of the 36-35 overtime nightmare loss to the Hoosiers to open the 2020 season. 

Home twice against Maryland and Minnesota, then on the road at Rutgers, wraps Penn State’s 2022 regular season.

December

Class of 2023 early signing day (Dec. 21)

On the third Wednesday in December, Penn State wrap a Class of 2023 among the nation’s best.

With six verbal commitments so far, the Nittany Lions rank sixth nationally. They’re behind Notre Dame, Southern Cal, Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio State according to the On3 team recruiting rankings.

Should everything go according to plan, the Nittany Lions’ best-case scenario would include a final, Dec. 31 bowl game to wrap the season. 

The occasion? The 2022 season College Football Playoff semifinals – the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl – will be held that date.