With the Nittany Lions set to open their season in just over three months, the schedule has turned its gaze toward a September showdown with Marshall.
Redshirt junior defensive end Bobby Mears, a finance major at Penn State, has yet to appear in a college game but earned academic all‑conference honors in 2024.
A Quiet Contender in the Trenches
Mears graduated from Malvern Prep, where he was a three‑time letter winner, senior captain and All‑Eastern All‑State selection, and also starred in lacrosse.
Coaches have praised his work ethic and expect him to contribute in a reserve role, giving the defensive line depth as the team prepares for its first test against Marshall.
The season opener is slated for 93 days from now, marking a milestone for a program eager to build on recent academic successes while integrating new talent.