The countdown to Penn State’s 2026 football campaign is nearing its climax, with exactly 99 days separating fans from the season‑opening showdown against Marshall at the iconic Beaver Stadium.
A New Chapter Begins
At the heart of the new‑look defense is sophomore defensive end Yvan Kemajou, who will don the coveted No. 99 jersey and is expected to battle for a larger role in the rotation.
Kemajou’s emergence follows a promising finish to his rookie year, where he logged 13 tackles and a half‑sack across five appearances, highlighted by a debut sack against Ohio State and a strip‑down play that brought him down in the fourth quarter versus Nebraska.
The defensive end position was hit hard by injuries last season, notably the loss of veteran Max Granville, creating an opening that Kemajou is eager to exploit.
Having elected to remain in State College after the departure of longtime coach James Franklin and the arrival of Matt Campbell, Kemajou embodies the quiet resolve of a player who chose Penn State over Rutgers, Virginia Tech and Duke as a four‑star recruit.
Coach Campbell’s first season promises to blend fresh schemes with the existing talent pool, and all eyes will be on Kemajou as he looks to translate his offseason work into on‑field impact when the Nittany Lions open against Marshall.