Alexander McPherson is swapping the Buffaloes for the Nittany Lions, bringing a freshman campaign that already turned heads. At Colorado he recorded 16 tackles, six quarterback hurries and a sack, and he also made his presence felt on special teams with a punt block early in the season.
A sizeable presence on the line
At 6‑6 and 254 pounds, McPherson’s physical profile matches the traditional dimensions of a defensive end in the Big Ten. His blend of height and weight gives him the leverage to set the edge and the strength to collapse the pocket.
Those numbers suggest a knack for disrupting offenses and a willingness to get his hands dirty. Coaches are already penciling him into the defensive end rotation as the team prepares for its season opener against Marshall, just 33 days away.
Looking ahead to the opener
If McPherson can translate his college production to the Big Ten, he could become the next standout pass rusher for Penn State. The addition comes as the Nittany Lions aim to strengthen a defense that has been seeking more consistent pressure, and his experience on special teams adds depth to the unit’s overall versatility.