YOUNGSTOWN — Player development has played a pivotal role in Youngstown State’s rise as a mid-major program in recent years.

Despite having to overhaul its roster through the transfer portal each season, the Penguins have still been able to maintain some continuity with its players. Those players who have stuck around have usually exhibited significant levels of growth in their second years at YSU.

First, the Penguins saw it with Dwayne Cohill, who transferred to YSU ahead of the 2021-2022 season from Dayton, made a splash that first year and then became an All-Horizon League First-Team selection when he returned the next season in 2022-2023, helping lead the team to its first regular season Horizon League title.

Then EJ Farmer followed suit the last couple of seasons. Farmer arrived at

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