Jaxon Smolik News, Rumors, Updates - Penn State Nittany Lions

Commits to Temple Smolik (wrist) has committed to Temple, he announced.

Impact Smolik spent his last three seasons at Penn State, redshirting in 2023 and missing the entire 2024 season due to injury. He appeared in three games during 2025, but didn't attempt a pass, instead logging four rush attempts. He'll likely serve as a backup option at Temple, with the hopes of landing a starting job down the line. He battled a wrist injury late last season.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Plans to enter portal Smolik (wrist) plans to enter the NCAA's transfer portal, Hayes Fawcett of On3 reports.

Impact During 2025, Smolik logged four rushing attempts for three yards. However, the quarterback did not attempt any passes. Smolik has three years of collegiate eligibility remaining.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play vs. Nebraska Smolik (wrist) is out for Penn State's clash with Nebraska on Saturday.

Impact Penn State won't have it's backup quarterback available as it looks to pick up its second Big Ten win. Liam Clifford should be the backup to starter Ethan Grunkemeyer now.

NOVEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Saturday Smolik (wrist) is out for Saturday's game versus Indiana.

Impact Smolik has been ruled out for his second straight game as he continues to recover from a wrist injury he suffered in Week 8. The Nittany Lions will be thin at quarterback for difficult contest versus the Hoosiers, and third-string quarterback Bekkem Kritza (undisclosed) is questionable as well.

NOVEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out for Week 10 Smolik (wrist) is out for Saturday's game at Ohio State.

Impact Penn State's team will continue to be thin at quarterback, with the backup Smolik missing at least one game because of his wrist injury. After the Nittany Lions play at Ohio State, they are scheduled to play another top team in Indiana on Nov. 8.

NOVEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Status in question Smolik (wrist) has his status in question before Saturday's game at Ohio State, Daniel Gallen of 247Sports reports.

Impact Smolik is Penn State's backup quarterback going into the team's upcoming game against No. 1 Ohio State, but he will be an important piece to have should something happen to Ethan Grunkemeyer. The quarterback being out with a firm timetable is cause for concern and can confirm his questionable status going into Week 10.

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to sideline with cast Smolik was seen with a cast on his left wrist/hand area, Daniel Gallen of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Smolik appears to have hurt his non-throwing hand on a carry attempt. More on his injury should come to light in the coming week but he will not be returning to Saturday's game.

OCTOBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to locker room Smolik is heading to the locker room in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game versus Iowa with an apparent injury, Daniel Gallen of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Smolik appeared to take a hit to the head on a carry and wound up going back to the locker room after being evaluated in the medical tent. The Nittany Lions appear to be down to one healthy quarterback in starter Ethan Grunkemeyer.

OCTOBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Komolafe scores late, leads Northwestern to 22-21 win over Penn State

Caleb Komolafe ran for 72 yards and a touchdown and Northwestern held on to beat Penn State 22-21 on Saturday

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • Associated Press

Available Saturday Smolik is off the injury report ahead of Saturday's game versus Northwestern.

Impact Smolik is off the injury report ahead of Saturday's contest, making him available after he was dealing with an undisclosed injury. He is unlikely to play given his place on the depth chart, but he's at least healthy now.

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable at UCLA Smolik (undisclosed) is questionable at UCLA.

Impact Smolik looks to be dealing with an unknown injury ahead of Penn State's away game. While the third-string quarterback likely won't play even if he's healthy, his status should be determined prior to kickoff.

OCTOBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Penn State notes: James Franklin nears decision on No. 2 quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer or Jaxon Smolik will be the primary backup behind Drew Allar

AUGUST 20, 2025 • DELCOTIMES.COM

Clears availability report Smolik (undisclosed) is available for Saturday's game against USC, per the Big 10 availability report.

Impact Smolik will dress for the first time this season and is expected to operate as a tertiary quarterback option against USC.

OCTOBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Saturday Smolik (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's game against UCLA.

Impact Smolik has yet to dress this season and that will likely continue unless an injury happens to either Drew Allar or Beau Pribula. The Bruins travel to face USC next Saturday.

OCTOBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Another absence coming Smolik (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's game against Illinois.

Impact Smolik has yet to be cleared for a game this season, and that trend will continue in this contest. His next chance to feature will come against UCLA on Saturday, and even if he's available, he's not expected to play a prominent role in the passing game.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out Saturday Smolik (undisclosed) is not available for Saturday's game against Kent State.

Impact Smolik has been ruled out for every game so far this season, as he's merely serving as a depth option to Drew Allar and Beau Pribula in the Nittany Lions' quarterback room. If an injury were to open up, Smolik would like be active.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as out again Smolik is officially out for Penn State's Week 2 matchup with Bowling Green.

Impact Smolik is Penn State's third quarterback, so he likely wasn't in line to get many snaps except in the event of an extreme blowout. That's certainly likely for the Nittany Lions against Bowling Green, but Beau Pribula figures to be the backup quarterback who'll enter the game in that instance.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out at West Virginia Smolik is out for Penn State's game Saturday at West Virginia because of an undisclosed problem.

Impact Despite being "back at practice" earlier during the current week, Smolik will sit out Penn State's first game of 2024. He has a week until the Nittany Lions begin their September schedule.

AUGUST 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back at practice Smolik (undisclosed) is back at practice for Penn State, Joe Smeltzer of Nittany Sports Now reports.

Impact Smolik looks to be back on the field and ready if needed for Penn State's season opener against West Virginia. The 6-foot-1 quarterback looks to be behind both Drew Allar and Beau Pribula on the quarterback depth chart as of Week 1.

AUGUST 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Continuing recovery Head coach James Franklin indicated that Smolik (undisclosed) is still recovering from a spring injury, per Tyler Donohue of 247Sports.com.

Impact Smolik still being in recovery mode following a reportedly serious injury in the spring will affect his availability for fall camp, meaning that freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer will likely get a chance to handle the third-string role in Smolik's absence. Smolik has yet to play in a game for the Nittany Lions in his tenure and will hope to make himself available soon.

JULY 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Penn State quarterback Jaxon Smolik to miss significant time with injury, James Franklin confirms Jaxon Smolik is entering his redshirt freshman season at Penn State after appearing in one game as a true freshman in 2023.

APRIL 10, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Penn State QB Jaxon Smolik out for a 'significant amount of time' with injury: report Penn State reserve quarterback Jaxon Smolik's injury will thrust freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer into the No. 3 role.

MARCH 29, 2024 • PENNLIVE.COM

Penn State QB Jaxon Smolik's plan for 2024: 'I want to be in the conversation for playing time' Smolik, a redshirt freshman, could face competition from true freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer for the No. 3 job at Penn State.

FEBRUARY 22, 2024 • PENNLIVE.COM

The Des Moines Register New Dowling Catholic starting quarterback Dante Cataldo has plenty of experience the last two seasons despite having Jaxon Smolik in front of him.

AUGUST 18, 2023 • DESMOINESREGISTER.COM

'Surprise in camp so far': Penn State freshman QB Jaxon Smolik making early strides Jaxon Smolik is the No. 3 quarterback behind Drew Allar and Beau Pribula, but is impressing early in camp.

AUGUST 8, 2023 • PENNLIVE.COM

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Komolafe scores late, leads Northwestern to 22-21 win over Penn State