The Lions Den

The Lion's Den: Ep 23 | Riley Thompson Talks Importance Of Special Teams At Penn State & Learning American Football

Penn State punter Riley Thompson joins teammate Dvon J-Thomas and The Lion's Den host Aeneas Hawkins in today's exclusive interview. Thompson discusses the transition to American football and how learning more about situational football has helped him succeed. The guys talk through the importance of special teams at Penn State and how they help win football games. Get all your Penn State apparel needs with The Family Clothesline: https://www.pennstateclothes.com [https://www.pennstateclothes.com] FOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE: ► TWITTER | https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU [https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU] ► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu [%20https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu] ► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/ [https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/] ► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1] For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: ads@collegesportsco.com CHAPTERS 00:00-Intro 02:50-Adjustment To America & PSU 05:00-Special Teams 06:16-Specialists Practice 08:18-Punter Mentality 09:51-Australian Football Differences 14:40-2024 Penn State 16:04-Family 18:29-NFL 19:30-American Football IQ 21:53-Punt Shield 24:09-Visiting Austrailia 26:46-Advice To Young Players

The Lion's Den: Ep 22 | Smith Vilbert On Penn State Defensive Line Culture & His Long Awaited Success

Penn State defensive lineman Smith Vilbert joins teammate Dvon J-Thomas and The Lion's Den host Aeneas Hawkins in today's exclusive interview. Vilbert opens up on his journey fighting through adversity to come back with a huge play in Penn State's week one statement win. The guys discuss the 2024 PSU defense starting fast and look forward to building upon that coming back home. Get all your Penn State apparel needs with The Family Clothesline: https://www.pennstateclothes.com [https://www.pennstateclothes.com] FOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE: ► TWITTER | https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU [https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU] ► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu [https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu] ► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/ [https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/] ► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1] For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: ads@collegesportsco.com CHAPTERS 00:00-Intro 02:05-Fighting Through Adversity 04:23-PSU DLine Culture 09:27-Vilbert's Journey 12:50-Basketball Player 17:46-Long Awaited Success 19:45-2024 PSU Defense 24:25-Week One Statement 29:38-New Look Offense 33:57-Coach Deion Barnes 36:03-Back At Home 38:21-What's Your Why 39:28-Top 3 Players To Play Against

The Lions Den: Ep. 20 | Nick Dawkins On Adjusting To Kotelnicki’s Offense, Spring Ball Standouts & Becoming A Starter

Nick Dawkins joins Aeneas Hawkins on today's episode of The Lions Den. Nick Dawkins gives viewers an inside look into how the team is adjusting to Andy Kotelnicki's new offense, the top spring ball standouts thus far, and how his mindset has evolved since breaking into Penn State's starting offensive line. Nick also talks about how the defense has adjusted to Tom Allen's new scheme and the recent Eagles' signings of Saquon Barkley and PJ Mustipher.  Visit https://www.mautihealth.com [https://www.mautihealth.com] to schedule a FREE consultation with Patrick Mauti today! Get 15% off The Lions Den Merch with code LIONSDEN15 at https://shop.teammercury.io/discount/LIONSDEN15?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fall [https://shop.teammercury.io/discount/LIONSDEN15?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fall] FOLLOW THE LIONS DEN HERE: ► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lions-den/id1705031515 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lions-den/id1705031515] ► SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/51Se0ZtwAI0arw1QjQLMY6?si=e5a01d3c11894feb [https://open.spotify.com/show/51Se0ZtwAI0arw1QjQLMY6?si=e5a01d3c11894feb] FOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE: ► TWITTER | https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU [https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU] ► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu [https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu] ► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/ [https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/] ► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1] The Lions Den is co-hosted by former Nittany Lion Aeneas Hawkins and current players Nick Dawkins and Jerry Cross. The show is presented by The Mercury Podcast Network. For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: ads@teammercury.io CHAPTERS 00:00-Intro 01:54-Catching Up 02:30-Spring Ball Insights 09:18-Penn State’s Player Development 13:24-Dawk’s Life Update  21:25-Hawk’s Life Update 26:21-Tiki Barber Beef & Saquon Barkley News 29:03-PJ Mustipher  31:13-Closing Thoughts

The Lions Den: Ep. 19 | Christian Hackenberg On Highs & Lows Of Penn State Career, Navigating NCAA Sanctions & Drew Allar

Former Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg joins Aeneas Hawkins on today's new episode of The Lions Den. Christian Hackenberg talks about the highs and lows of his Penn State career, from navigating the NCAA sanctions to saving Penn State Football from the ashes and the change of guard from Bill O'Brien to James Franklin. Hack also opens up about his rookie season in the NFL, provides some predictions for QB Drew Allar, and shares his expectations for this year's offense.  Visit https://www.mautihealth.com [https://www.mautihealth.com%20]to schedule a FREE consultation with Patrick Mauti today! Get 15% off The Lions Den Merch with code LIONSDEN15 at https://shop.teammercury.io/discount/LIONSDEN15?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fall [https://shop.teammercury.io/discount/LIONSDEN15?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fall] FOLLOW THE LIONS DEN HERE: ► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lions-den/id1705031515 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lions-den/id1705031515] ► SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/51Se0ZtwAI0arw1QjQLMY6?si=e5a01d3c11894feb [https://open.spotify.com/show/51Se0ZtwAI0arw1QjQLMY6?si=e5a01d3c11894feb] FOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE: ► TWITTER | https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU [https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU] ► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu [https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu] ► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/ [https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/] ► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1] The Lions Den is co-hosted by former Nittany Lion Aeneas Hawkins and current players Nick Dawkins and Jerry Cross. The show is presented by The Mercury Podcast Network. For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: ads@teammercury.io CHAPTERS  00:00-Intro 01:27-Catching Up 02:53-Spring Ball for QB’s  06:43-Offensive Expectations 13:21-Spring Game 16:39-James Franklin 18:48-Big Ten Competition  23:57-Hack’s PSU Career  33:51-Advice to Younger Self 37:53-Hack’s Rookie Season in the NFL 41:40-Theo Johnson’s NFL Potential 43:46-Adissa Issac

The Lions Den: Ep. 18 | Penn State Players Reveal Their Funniest “Oh Sh*t” Moments At PSU & Untold Recruiting Stories

Former Penn State offensive lineman Landon Tengwall joins Nick Dawkins, Jerry Cross and Aeneas Hawkins on today's new episode of The Lions Den. Landon Tengwall talks about all the factors that went into his decision to retire from Penn State football and how he's adjusting to life off the gridiron. Together, the guys reveal their funniest "oh sh*t" moments at PSU, make their cases for their NCAA Football ratings and share some untold recruiting stories.  Visit https://www.mautihealth.com [https://www.mautihealth.com] to schedule a FREE consultation with Patrick Mauti today! Get 15% off The Lions Den Merch with code LIONSDEN15 at https://shop.teammercury.io/discount/LIONSDEN15?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fall [https://shop.teammercury.io/discount/LIONSDEN15?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fall] FOLLOW THE LIONS DEN HERE: ► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lions-den/id1705031515 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lions-den/id1705031515] ► SPOTIFY | https://open.spotify.com/show/51Se0ZtwAI0arw1QjQLMY6?si=e5a01d3c11894feb [https://open.spotify.com/show/51Se0ZtwAI0arw1QjQLMY6?si=e5a01d3c11894feb] FOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE: ► TWITTER | https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU [https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU] ► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu [https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu] ► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/ [https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/] ► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1] The Lions Den is co-hosted by former Nittany Lion Aeneas Hawkins and current players Nick Dawkins and Jerry Cross. The show is presented by The Mercury Podcast Network. For sponsorships or business inquiries reach out to: ads@teammercury.io CHAPTERS 00:00-Intro 02:28-Catching  04:29-Life After Football 14:12-Evolution of Hawk’s Nickname 17:58-Welcome to CFB Moments 24:37-PJ Mustipher   25:55-Getting Critiqued by Parents 33:39-Recruiting Stories 39:42-NCAA Football Game 48:23-Ji’Ayir Brown & Lackawanna College 51:02-Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift 52:43-Usher’s Half-Time Show 56:57-Can Mahomes Catch Brady? 59:59-Is Andy Reid the GOAT?