136. It sounds like there are 150 guaranteed starting QBs. How many P4 teams have their QB spots already guaranteed for next year? Should every QB who isn't extended one of them transfer?
Why would he need to stay at a P4 school? But many have openings
Got that right. The players who have put out their posts on Insta have likely already made their decision on where they’re going. If Becht and/or Manske is coming to PSU, Campbell has already told Grunk that in their private meetings. Friday will be like July 1 to us NHL fans - when we get to find out where all the free agents are landing. Difference is that these deals were likely made days and weeks beforehand. Grunk has a very bright future but I think it’s as a pocket passer who occasionally runs and not for some coach who tries to make him something he’s not (like what the Chokies coach did with Hack and Allar).
Allar was never the problem--the problem were the chains placed on him by Franklin and his staff.Interesting dynamics these days. So the coach tells a player, say the qb, you are my starter, he stumbles out of the gate and then the backup is lighting it up in practice. The rest of the team sees and knows the back up gives them a better chance to win. Do you stick with the anointed one and lose the team? Is this partially what happened with CJF? It sure seems a mess to me these days.
I wasn’t necessarily referring to Allar but I see how it can be taken that way. My example could be applied to a number of positions; rb, wr, lb, cb etc. What I was attempting to get at is when does a decision for the greater good of the team trump a promise? Tough to be a head coach today.
That's fair--my apologies if I misunderstood your intent. The Allar hate level has been high recently.
There was definitely a square peg round hole situation going on. However, Allar struggled with consistency which I think was a product of inconsistent mechanics and footwork. Allar relied heavily on arm talent.
I understand the complaints with his footwork--I do--but it's not unsual in this era
3 years of Grunk seems clearly better than 1 year of Becht.A lot of unknowns and possibilities:
But, IF Campbell chooses to bring in Becht, and that costs PSU Grunk, it would be an incredibly dumb move (that was clear well before this Bowl game was played).
Does Campbell even want to bring in Becht? Who knows?
If he does bring in Becht, does that mean Grunk leaves? Who knows?
Could he bring in Becht as some "experienced insurance at QB"? Without losing Grunk/fouling up the QB room? Who knows? (That might be nice, but also might not be possible)
Does Grunk leave no matter what - forcing Campbell's hand? Who knows (though I would kind of doubt that)?
Campbell's first big "test" will be how he handles the portal, IMO. The influx to date of 2nd/3rd tier HS recruits was, I think, largely to be expected - but he has nearly unlimited portal $$. Not only PK's supposed huge budget- but also nearly every guy who had been using up $$ is now gone, and no high-level HS recruits were brought in to eat into the budget either - so pretty much an unprecedented level of $ to use via the portal.
He definitely needs to not $&^#% that up. If done efficiently, no reason PSU - with the cupcake schedule - shouldn't be a double-digit win club in 2026.
Sounds about right. Too many wantabe QB starters, (many deservingly so), but not enough P4 spots.
Manske might make sense because he wouldn't have an expectation to start next year. What's Smolik's status?
I hope he's already worked it out. Once a kid enters the portal it's going to be difficult to get him back.
If we’re going to talk about loyalty in context of Campbell, then it would make sense for him to bring in his multi-year starting QB from ISU who knows him and his system well. As a fan, I’m more interested in the bigger picture in seeing Grunk remain the presumed starter for PSU and give him a chance to develop over the next couple seasons. I’d rather that than a rent-a-QB for a season. However, I imagine that Campbell will see and do differently. He’s the one with pressure on him to get results.
He's a baller. Gotta hang on to him no matter what
PSU lost all of it's 2027 recruiting class and most of it's 2026 recruiting class. We only have 10 kids for 2026 and only one of those is a consensus 4* prospect. If we spend too much money on Becht/Manske we will have less to fill the rest of the roster.
OL: Williams - No, Boyer - Yes
We should want to keep Denmark but there's zero chance he stays IMO
Unfortunately, there is no way any of this can be capped or enforced at this point. As soon as its tried someone will sue and that is that NCAA loses every time. Only way it can be fixed is if the players unionize and the shcools and inion agree to something like a salary cap then it can be enforced to some extent, but you will still have NIL stuff where a local car dealership gives out a bags of cash and can't really stop that no matter what they do.
At that point you have to play the guy who gives you the better chance to win....what CJF did not do by playing guys who were getting paid. Just realize the next year they will leave and the guy who is starting will now be getting paid...that is just how it should work now.Interesting dynamics these days. So the coach tells a player, say the qb, you are my starter, he stumbles out of the gate and then the backup is lighting it up in practice. The rest of the team sees and knows the back up gives them a better chance to win. Do you stick with the anointed one and lose the team? Is this partially what happened with CJF? It sure seems a mess to me these days.
This year that was happening at WR, LB, and CB....Once Smith took oevr a lot of that got corrected and now you see Washingotn and Harris are gone, Deluca should have been benched for Tasch early on and Howard should have had more reps at WR.
My hope is Grunk stays and Manske comes on board as backup, but that is probabaly unrealiztic. More likely Grunk leaves and both ISU guys come in and Manske backs up Becht for one season then has a chance to be the starter with 3 yrss ub the system
That is the most talented roster Campbell would have in his college head coaching career. better get recruiting and signing deals. That is a 10 to 11 win team with PSU's schedule next year.
That’s the thing. I think Grunk can/should be a starter in 2026 but there’s likely no Power 4 team that would “guarantee” it. It’s just like Beau last year where people would say he “had to” leave and he ended up just leaving to be a backup - the same situation he would have been if he stayed at PSU.
I think Denmark is gone. Someone commented that he didn't join the team on the field for the celebration but went immediately to the lockerroom.
I'm guessing him not playing at all yesterday is what lead to that reaction. I wonder what impression he was under.
So what you’re trying to say is there something rotten in Denmark?
This is true, but Grunk isn't typical of every player that portals. The kid started half a season at Penn State and I think we can agree that he seemed to get better the longer he played. So here are a couple questions for you.
Seems like another WR we constantly heard good things about from practices but he wasn't given meaningful PT? Another mystery of the WR room.