STATE COLLEGE — The leader of this new-look Penn State football offense gave high praise for a couple of his under-the-radar pupils after another steamy practice here on Monday, Aug. 17. Coordinator Taylor Mouser threw out the "MVP" description for Iowa State transfer offensive lineman Trevor Buhr and receiver Zay Robinson − as preseason camp continues to melt away toward the season-opener against Marshall in less than two weeks in Beaver Stadium. It was another upbeat day of workouts as Campbell switched to his typical morning practice slate. Certainly, the top two quarterbacks, Rocco Becht and Alex Manske, ran as well as they threw once again. Running backs Quinton Martin and James Peoples, the Ohio State transfer, got long looks as pass receivers in various offensive sets. And the ballyhooed tight end room, which has dealt with more than its share of minor injury setbacks and recoveries, keeps finding more bodies to step up: Former walk-on Finn Furmanek and converted QB Peyton Falzone drew positive feedback from their position coach and teammates, alike. On defense, highly-touted safety Jeremiah Cooper got increased hands-on work as he continues his injury rehab process. Hopeful linebacker star Tony Rojas continued to move fast and smoothly as he completes his own recovery from a September 2025 knee injury.
But Mouser went out of his way to talk up Buhr and Robinson, when asked for an offensive evaluation. He even called Buhr, a redshirt junior guard, a team MVP of the entire preseason. Burh is helping lead a rebuilt offensive line featuring first-time starters Malachi Goodman at left tackle and Cooper Cousins at guard, Texas State transfer Brock Riker at center and Anthony Donko, who appears finally settled in at right tackle. Buhr made six starts last year at Iowa State, did not allow a sack and was an All-Big 12 honorable mention. “Just the consistency that he plays with," Mouser said. "He plays a very physically demanding position. Him and (guard) Cooper Cousins are o-linemen who take pride in how violent and physical they can be. Trevor has done a good job of that, ..." and he’s consistent in pass pro every rep. doesn’t lose in pass pro, violent at the point of attack Robinson, meanwhile, has been one of the flashiest performers in the remade receiver room. He's earned repeated team-wide props for his big-play ability, from spring workouts through these final days of the preseason − a potential, critical growing stage for the Iowa native who played in just three games in his rookie season.
Mouser called him the MVP of last Saturday's scrimmage in Beaver Stadium. "He was phenomenal," Mouser said, noting how he produced the longest touchdown of preseason camp. "We move him around from the slot (position) to the outside. He’s been our swing guy who plays tight end in our 10-personnel (sets) ... He can just bounce around. “He’s a guy I challenged him after spring ball that you need to be better. Because he’s one of our most competitive guys. And he rose to the challenge, and he’s done a good job of making contested catches in the middle of the field, out on the outside. I’ve just been impressed with his ability to turn himself into a pro with how he prepares every day." Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Why these two Penn State football players are fall camp MVPs