Last 2 classes....

[LaJollaCreek]

QB - Allar, Pribula, Veilleux -if you have a complaint here, stop reading...I cannot help you.
RB - Allen, Singleton - lacking one last year, but what a haul this year. I imagine at least 1-2 current end up in the portal.
OL - Shelton, JB Nelson, McNeil, Tengwall, Bruce - the area where PSU lacks the most, can do better here...maybe Bruce comes back. Portal will really need to be used. Nelson is pretty interesting as he apparently has been putting in the work in the classroom and weight room. He also has 4 to play 3.
TE - Dinkins and Cross - solid additions to a deep room that needs to step it up.
WR - Clifford, Wallace, Suanders, O Evans, Tyler Johnson, Ivey. - Saunders is a stud. Evans to me looks like he will be a really good athlete. Ryan seems to be high on T Johnson. Sometimes you strike gold with the small school guys. Brown and Hardy come to mind.
DE - McGraw, Townley, DDS, Talley. - Interested to see how Townley and McGraw mature and fit in this year. DDS and Talley should be pretty good.
DT - Artis, Durant - Really need to address this. Need Mustipher back in a big way hopefully as well as the Portal. Hopefully the reports on Van Den Berg are legit.
LB - Buddin, King, Wylie, Carter. - Like the DT's, could be stronger. Carter if he can keep his speed might be a freak out there at LB...but he could end up with a hand on ground too.
CB - Davis, King, Miller - King impressed as a frosh. We'll see what shakes out with the others.
S - Reed, Wheatley CB/S, Winston, Driver - one of the better position groups.


Overall from a skill position standpoint there is very little to gripe about, but the trenches simply need an upgrade. DT's and OT's....I think you can see where the roster lacks on the field and in the last 2 classes. Really need some portal help on the lines and PJ to return. OL simply just needs to man up and MY in year 2 needs to fix the ground game. Guys that didn't get the love that may jump out. Carter, Evans, Johnson, and Nelson all seem to come to mind. I may have missed some and I didn't include the portal guys, just HS folks coming in.

 

[JoeBot409]

On Saturday this fall, I will guarantee that the fanboys will be saying how this team has NO TALENT and it is not the coaches fault. 110% guarantee that.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

On Saturday this fall, I will guarantee that the fanboys will be saying how this team has NO TALENT and it is not the coaches fault. 110% guarantee that.

Well apparently we have people that think coaches are infallible too and cry ANYTIME criticisms are made. I think the staff, fans, and team should expect a better ground game, but you worry about what "fanboys" have to say....as I mean that is what really counts. There used to be some guy on the Rivals site who jump into the gameday chats just to whine about any criticism. He couldn't stop himself....it was pretty funny.

 

[Midnighter]

I do think there are way too many 4 stars compared to previous years (in general, no data to back it up) and it seems like there are a lot more busts or ‘overvaluations’ than before (how is Roberson a 4*?). But, some nice players over all but missing some talent in the trenches as noted. Best WB class we’ve signed under Franklin though.

 

[PSUJam]

QB - Allar, Pribula, Veilleux -if you have a complaint here, stop reading...I cannot help you.
RB - Allen, Singleton - lacking one last year, but what a haul this year. I imagine at least 1-2 current end up in the portal.
OL - Shelton, JB Nelson, McNeil, Tengwall, Bruce - the area where PSU lacks the most, can do better here...maybe Bruce comes back. Portal will really need to be used. Nelson is pretty interesting as he apparently has been putting in the work in the classroom and weight room. He also has 4 to play 3.
TE - Dinkins and Cross - solid additions to a deep room that needs to step it up.
WR - Clifford, Wallace, Suanders, O Evans, Tyler Johnson, Ivey. - Saunders is a stud. Evans to me looks like he will be a really good athlete. Ryan seems to be high on T Johnson. Sometimes you strike gold with the small school guys. Brown and Hardy come to mind.
DE - McGraw, Townley, DDS, Talley. - Interested to see how Townley and McGraw mature and fit in this year. DDS and Talley should be pretty good.
DT - Artis, Durant - Really need to address this. Need Mustipher back in a big way hopefully as well as the Portal. Hopefully the reports on Van Den Berg are legit.
LB - Buddin, King, Wylie, Carter. - Like the DT's, could be stronger. Carter if he can keep his speed might be a freak out there at LB...but he could end up with a hand on ground too.
CB - Davis, King, Miller - King impressed as a frosh. We'll see what shakes out with the others.
S - Reed, Wheatley CB/S, Winston, Driver - one of the better position groups.


Overall from a skill position standpoint there is very little to gripe about, but the trenches simply need an upgrade. DT's and OT's....I think you can see where the roster lacks on the field and in the last 2 classes. Really need some portal help on the lines and PJ to return. OL simply just needs to man up and MY in year 2 needs to fix the ground game. Guys that didn't get the love that may jump out. Carter, Evans, Johnson, and Nelson all seem to come to mind. I may have missed some and I didn't include the portal guys, just HS folks coming in.

Bruce is going the Lackawanna route. I wonder how that works? I guess he can do Spring semester there then transfer to a D1 school like a regular HS student would. Not sure we would waste a scholarship on him again with what happened before. He may have to walk on then earn it down the road. Just speculating of course.

 

[Ram20]

Fair assessment of the recruiting roster. It really can't be said enough though....WE NEED BIG PYSICAL MAULERS ON THE OL AND DL. I think it has become pretty obvious that teams have a pretty limited ceiling, irrespective of skill position talent, if they don't have a strong line in front of them.

 

[donaldfair71]

My worry with the program has never been the classes or talent they brought in.

 

[StamfordBridgeVikingatLeftOffensiveTackle]

Fair assessment of the recruiting roster. It really can't be said enough though....WE NEED BIG PYSICAL MAULERS ON THE OL AND DL. I think it has become pretty obvious that teams have a pretty limited ceiling, irrespective of skill position talent, if they don't have a strong line in front of them.

^^THIS!^^

 

[FrontierLion]

^^THIS!^^

Yep. My opinion - the two most important parts of a football team (or offense anyway) is OL first, then QB.

 

[PSUFTG]

QB - Allar, Pribula, Veilleux -if you have a complaint here, stop reading...I cannot help you.
RB - Allen, Singleton - lacking one last year, but what a haul this year. I imagine at least 1-2 current end up in the portal.
OL - Shelton, JB Nelson, McNeil, Tengwall, Bruce - the area where PSU lacks the most, can do better here...maybe Bruce comes back. Portal will really need to be used. Nelson is pretty interesting as he apparently has been putting in the work in the classroom and weight room. He also has 4 to play 3.
TE - Dinkins and Cross - solid additions to a deep room that needs to step it up.
WR - Clifford, Wallace, Suanders, O Evans, Tyler Johnson, Ivey. - Saunders is a stud. Evans to me looks like he will be a really good athlete. Ryan seems to be high on T Johnson. Sometimes you strike gold with the small school guys. Brown and Hardy come to mind.
DE - McGraw, Townley, DDS, Talley. - Interested to see how Townley and McGraw mature and fit in this year. DDS and Talley should be pretty good.
DT - Artis, Durant - Really need to address this. Need Mustipher back in a big way hopefully as well as the Portal. Hopefully the reports on Van Den Berg are legit.
LB - Buddin, King, Wylie, Carter. - Like the DT's, could be stronger. Carter if he can keep his speed might be a freak out there at LB...but he could end up with a hand on ground too.
CB - Davis, King, Miller - King impressed as a frosh. We'll see what shakes out with the others.
S - Reed, Wheatley CB/S, Winston, Driver - one of the better position groups.


Overall from a skill position standpoint there is very little to gripe about, but the trenches simply need an upgrade. DT's and OT's....I think you can see where the roster lacks on the field and in the last 2 classes. Really need some portal help on the lines and PJ to return. OL simply just needs to man up and MY in year 2 needs to fix the ground game. Guys that didn't get the love that may jump out. Carter, Evans, Johnson, and Nelson all seem to come to mind. I may have missed some and I didn't include the portal guys, just HS folks coming in.

For what it is worth, there were even more 4 and 5 star recruits in the 2018-2019 classes, than there are in the most recent two classes. Those classes, 2018-2019 comprised the Junior and Senior classes that just went 8 and 10 in the Big Ten over the last two years.

2018-2019 Classes, 4 and 5 star recruits (as per this site):
2 Quarterbacks, 3 Running Backs, 4 Wide Receivers, 3 Tight Ends, 5 Offensive Linemen, 8 Defensive Linemen, 4 Linebackers, and 8 Defensive Backs.

But, certainly, this group of 4 and 5 star talent will do much better. They almost have to.

 

[bbrown]

On Saturday this fall, I will guarantee that the fanboys will be saying how this team has NO TALENT and it is not the coaches fault. 110% guarantee that.

"Fanboys"... that sounds vaguely familiar...If I could only remember where....

 

[Bvillebaron]

"Fanboys"... that sounds vaguely familiar...If I could only remember where....

For those who need help, "fanboys" are fans who actually use their brains and don't believe every problem on the team is the fault of the coaches.

 

[Quint526]

For those who need help, "fanboys" are fans who actually use their brains and don't believe every problem on the team is the fault of the coaches.

You may want to consult with marshal. His definition may vary.

 

[DaytonRickster]

QB - Allar, Pribula, Veilleux -if you have a complaint here, stop reading...I cannot help you.
RB - Allen, Singleton - lacking one last year, but what a haul this year. I imagine at least 1-2 current end up in the portal.
OL - Shelton, JB Nelson, McNeil, Tengwall, Bruce - the area where PSU lacks the most, can do better here...maybe Bruce comes back. Portal will really need to be used. Nelson is pretty interesting as he apparently has been putting in the work in the classroom and weight room. He also has 4 to play 3.
TE - Dinkins and Cross - solid additions to a deep room that needs to step it up.
WR - Clifford, Wallace, Suanders, O Evans, Tyler Johnson, Ivey. - Saunders is a stud. Evans to me looks like he will be a really good athlete. Ryan seems to be high on T Johnson. Sometimes you strike gold with the small school guys. Brown and Hardy come to mind.
DE - McGraw, Townley, DDS, Talley. - Interested to see how Townley and McGraw mature and fit in this year. DDS and Talley should be pretty good.
DT - Artis, Durant - Really need to address this. Need Mustipher back in a big way hopefully as well as the Portal. Hopefully the reports on Van Den Berg are legit.
LB - Buddin, King, Wylie, Carter. - Like the DT's, could be stronger. Carter if he can keep his speed might be a freak out there at LB...but he could end up with a hand on ground too.
CB - Davis, King, Miller - King impressed as a frosh. We'll see what shakes out with the others.
S - Reed, Wheatley CB/S, Winston, Driver - one of the better position groups.


Overall from a skill position standpoint there is very little to gripe about, but the trenches simply need an upgrade. DT's and OT's....I think you can see where the roster lacks on the field and in the last 2 classes. Really need some portal help on the lines and PJ to return. OL simply just needs to man up and MY in year 2 needs to fix the ground game. Guys that didn't get the love that may jump out. Carter, Evans, Johnson, and Nelson all seem to come to mind. I may have missed some and I didn't include the portal guys, just HS folks coming in.

Did you miss Hardy in the CB group or was he earlier? He is a football player!

 

[DaytonRickster]

QB - Allar, Pribula, Veilleux -if you have a complaint here, stop reading...I cannot help you.
RB - Allen, Singleton - lacking one last year, but what a haul this year. I imagine at least 1-2 current end up in the portal.
OL - Shelton, JB Nelson, McNeil, Tengwall, Bruce - the area where PSU lacks the most, can do better here...maybe Bruce comes back. Portal will really need to be used. Nelson is pretty interesting as he apparently has been putting in the work in the classroom and weight room. He also has 4 to play 3.
TE - Dinkins and Cross - solid additions to a deep room that needs to step it up.
WR - Clifford, Wallace, Suanders, O Evans, Tyler Johnson, Ivey. - Saunders is a stud. Evans to me looks like he will be a really good athlete. Ryan seems to be high on T Johnson. Sometimes you strike gold with the small school guys. Brown and Hardy come to mind.
DE - McGraw, Townley, DDS, Talley. - Interested to see how Townley and McGraw mature and fit in this year. DDS and Talley should be pretty good.
DT - Artis, Durant - Really need to address this. Need Mustipher back in a big way hopefully as well as the Portal. Hopefully the reports on Van Den Berg are legit.
LB - Buddin, King, Wylie, Carter. - Like the DT's, could be stronger. Carter if he can keep his speed might be a freak out there at LB...but he could end up with a hand on ground too.
CB - Davis, King, Miller - King impressed as a frosh. We'll see what shakes out with the others.
S - Reed, Wheatley CB/S, Winston, Driver - one of the better position groups.


Overall from a skill position standpoint there is very little to gripe about, but the trenches simply need an upgrade. DT's and OT's....I think you can see where the roster lacks on the field and in the last 2 classes. Really need some portal help on the lines and PJ to return. OL simply just needs to man up and MY in year 2 needs to fix the ground game. Guys that didn't get the love that may jump out. Carter, Evans, Johnson, and Nelson all seem to come to mind. I may have missed some and I didn't include the portal guys, just HS folks coming in.

Is your board name, LaJollaCreek taken from LaJollalion and he former poster MarshCreek?

 

[LaJollaCreek]

Is your board name, LaJollaCreek taken from LaJollalion and he former poster MarshCreek?

Yes sir.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

Did you miss Hardy in the CB group or was he earlier? He is a football player!

He was 3 years ago. He's another small school guy that nobody wanted in terms of offers. Much like Jorney Brown. Tyler Johnson is apparently from a small school and it will be interesting to see how well he does.

 

[DaytonRickster]

Yes sir.

Thought that might be the mix. Cool.

 

[Fac]

Yes sir.

Ha, I thought you were LaJollaLion but couldn't get the same name here. Were you a poster on the original McAndrew's board. We could turn this into a "What's my Line" type thread.

 

[BobPSU92]

My worry with the program has never been the classes or talent they brought in.

Facilities?

 

[Pennst8]

On Saturday this fall, I will guarantee that the fanboys will be saying how this team has NO TALENT and it is not the coaches fault. 110% guarantee that.

And I guarantee that unless Joe rises from the dead and starts coaching again, half of this board will complain about our coaching.

 

[OptionBob]

The Penn State fan base is something.

If you admire Joe Paterno and his tenure over 60 years, you're called a "JoeBot."
If you like James Franklin and think he is a good fit at Penn State despite flaws that keep him below Nick Saban's level, you're called a "fanboy."

Writers who are paid to follow the program and report on its successes and failures seem more inclined to relish the latter and downplay the former.
Such writers are called "realists" and praised for not being "homers."

When players excel in the NFL, the HC is criticized for not getting that talent to show up while in college.
When players don't make an NFL roster, the HC is criticized for poor development of the players.
When players are not drafted by the NFL, the HC is criticized for poor player evaluation.

If Penn State jumps out to an early lead, but still loses the game, fans criticize the HC for "blowing the lead."
If Penn State falls behind early, comes back, but still loses the game, fans criticize the HC for not having the team prepared.
If Penn State comes from behind to win the game, fans claim the win "was a fluke," a "lucky break" and didn't deserve to win.

Fans who predict a 4 or 5 loss season criticize the HC for not exceeding their low expectations.
Fans already predict a 5 or 6 loss season for 2022, and will be glad to criticize the HC if it happens.

And amid all this positive aura lie opposing fan bases all too eager to blast "ped state" insults all over social media whenever the words Penn State appear in a discussion.

I'm neither a "bot" nor a "boy"; I'm just an old man who is grateful that the program I have loved for 60+ years still tries to stay above the line wrt integrity and character. It still produces solid football squads that usually win more than they lose. It still fires me up when I see the basic blue and the generic white run onto the field. It still brings joy to see the former stars and the newest stars together saying We Are ....

Do I wish we were a national powerhouse every year with Ohio State's W-L record? Sure. But do I want to be a fan of Ohio State? No.

Blast me as a "homer." Call me naive, delusional. Mock my blue-and-white glasses. But at least I wear Nittany Lion gear with pride and enjoy 3-4 hours on Saturday of gut-wrenching football. Well, except maybe on 3rd and 1.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

Ha, I thought you were LaJollaLion but couldn't get the same name here. Were you a poster on the original McAndrew's board. We could turn this into a "What's my Line" type thread.

Nola Lion on plotit, then moved out to SD for 4 years, changed to LaJolla on Rivals, and now I'm here.

 

[Nitt1300]

On Saturday this fall, I will guarantee that the fanboys will be saying how this team has NO TALENT and it is not the coaches fault. 110% guarantee that.

I can guarantee that every win will be agony for the Franklin haters

 

[JoeBot409]

I can guarantee that every win will be agony for the Franklin haters

All seven of them?

 

[GregInPitt]

QB - Allar, Pribula, Veilleux -if you have a complaint here, stop reading...I cannot help you.
RB - Allen, Singleton - lacking one last year, but what a haul this year. I imagine at least 1-2 current end up in the portal.
OL - Shelton, JB Nelson, McNeil, Tengwall, Bruce - the area where PSU lacks the most, can do better here...maybe Bruce comes back. Portal will really need to be used. Nelson is pretty interesting as he apparently has been putting in the work in the classroom and weight room. He also has 4 to play 3.
TE - Dinkins and Cross - solid additions to a deep room that needs to step it up.
WR - Clifford, Wallace, Suanders, O Evans, Tyler Johnson, Ivey. - Saunders is a stud. Evans to me looks like he will be a really good athlete. Ryan seems to be high on T Johnson. Sometimes you strike gold with the small school guys. Brown and Hardy come to mind.
DE - McGraw, Townley, DDS, Talley. - Interested to see how Townley and McGraw mature and fit in this year. DDS and Talley should be pretty good.
DT - Artis, Durant - Really need to address this. Need Mustipher back in a big way hopefully as well as the Portal. Hopefully the reports on Van Den Berg are legit.
LB - Buddin, King, Wylie, Carter. - Like the DT's, could be stronger. Carter if he can keep his speed might be a freak out there at LB...but he could end up with a hand on ground too.
CB - Davis, King, Miller - King impressed as a frosh. We'll see what shakes out with the others.
S - Reed, Wheatley CB/S, Winston, Driver - one of the better position groups.


Overall from a skill position standpoint there is very little to gripe about, but the trenches simply need an upgrade. DT's and OT's....I think you can see where the roster lacks on the field and in the last 2 classes. Really need some portal help on the lines and PJ to return. OL simply just needs to man up and MY in year 2 needs to fix the ground game. Guys that didn't get the love that may jump out. Carter, Evans, Johnson, and Nelson all seem to come to mind. I may have missed some and I didn't include the portal guys, just HS folks coming in.

I believe you missed Flowers, who from reports is slated to begin practicing at Safety, which makes Safety even stronger and may also let Wheatley end up staying at CB. Will be interesting to see where Flowers and Driver end up playing, but I just hope they both end up as "players" somewhere on the field. Either or both could also end up at WR in the event that the young WR's don't live up to their playmaking potential. Hopefully Sanders comes out of the gate strong and ends up in the WR rotation right from the get go in 2022 and the 2021 WR's, Clifford and Wallace, are ready to make serious contributions as well. Sanders was uncoverable during the camp circuit and PSU really need someone to step up as a consistent deep threat to replace Dotson.

I know Franklin said he is looking at Portal WR's, but I'm hoping that among the 2021 and 2022 classes there are at least a couple WR's that step right onto the field in 2022 and make plays to compliment Washington, KLS and Meiga. Lots of teams play young WR's with great success and it's time for Stubblefield to show that he can get young talented WR's ready to go quickly.

 

[lbujoe33]

Bruce is going the Lackawanna route. I wonder how that works? I guess he can do Spring semester there then transfer to a D1 school like a regular HS student would. Not sure we would waste a scholarship on him again with what happened before. He may have to walk on then earn it down the road. Just speculating of course.

He will enroll for Spring and play in fall. I think he is worth th end scholarship. He was running as 2nd string when he was at Penn State. He is a big strong guy. 330 right now. We need him.

 

[PSUJam]

He will enroll for Spring and play in fall. I think he is worth th end scholarship. He was running as 2nd string when he was at Penn State. He is a big strong guy. 330 right now. We need him.

Will a scholarship be available then?

 

[81BandW]

I'm interested to see the new Clifford at wr. Gotta have a feeling he and his brother have good chemistry and sounds like Liam has good hands and is a position receiver. Could be interesting

 

[RyanSnyder]

QB - Allar, Pribula, Veilleux -if you have a complaint here, stop reading...I cannot help you.
RB - Allen, Singleton - lacking one last year, but what a haul this year. I imagine at least 1-2 current end up in the portal.
OL - Shelton, JB Nelson, McNeil, Tengwall, Bruce - the area where PSU lacks the most, can do better here...maybe Bruce comes back. Portal will really need to be used. Nelson is pretty interesting as he apparently has been putting in the work in the classroom and weight room. He also has 4 to play 3.
TE - Dinkins and Cross - solid additions to a deep room that needs to step it up.
WR - Clifford, Wallace, Suanders, O Evans, Tyler Johnson, Ivey. - Saunders is a stud. Evans to me looks like he will be a really good athlete. Ryan seems to be high on T Johnson. Sometimes you strike gold with the small school guys. Brown and Hardy come to mind.
DE - McGraw, Townley, DDS, Talley. - Interested to see how Townley and McGraw mature and fit in this year. DDS and Talley should be pretty good.
DT - Artis, Durant - Really need to address this. Need Mustipher back in a big way hopefully as well as the Portal. Hopefully the reports on Van Den Berg are legit.
LB - Buddin, King, Wylie, Carter. - Like the DT's, could be stronger. Carter if he can keep his speed might be a freak out there at LB...but he could end up with a hand on ground too.
CB - Davis, King, Miller - King impressed as a frosh. We'll see what shakes out with the others.
S - Reed, Wheatley CB/S, Winston, Driver - one of the better position groups.


Overall from a skill position standpoint there is very little to gripe about, but the trenches simply need an upgrade. DT's and OT's....I think you can see where the roster lacks on the field and in the last 2 classes. Really need some portal help on the lines and PJ to return. OL simply just needs to man up and MY in year 2 needs to fix the ground game. Guys that didn't get the love that may jump out. Carter, Evans, Johnson, and Nelson all seem to come to mind. I may have missed some and I didn't include the portal guys, just HS folks coming in.

Pretty fair assessment @LaJollaCreek. I would just add that Penn State is incredibly excited about Johnson. I haven't seen him play in person, so I'm mainly just trying to pass on what Lasch sources are saying about him. They think he and Omari are steals. Obviously, we've seen that in the past, too. Some work out, some don't, but they're really excited about both.

I asked arguably my three top sources about who's the most underrated player in the class still recently. All three said either Omari or Tyler Johnson. I believe two said Tyler, but I honestly forget which one got two votes. Either way, both are guys they're really high on.

 

[TheGlovStillRules]

QB - Allar, Pribula, Veilleux -if you have a complaint here, stop reading...I cannot help you.
RB - Allen, Singleton - lacking one last year, but what a haul this year. I imagine at least 1-2 current end up in the portal.
OL - Shelton, JB Nelson, McNeil, Tengwall, Bruce - the area where PSU lacks the most, can do better here...maybe Bruce comes back. Portal will really need to be used. Nelson is pretty interesting as he apparently has been putting in the work in the classroom and weight room. He also has 4 to play 3.
TE - Dinkins and Cross - solid additions to a deep room that needs to step it up.
WR - Clifford, Wallace, Suanders, O Evans, Tyler Johnson, Ivey. - Saunders is a stud. Evans to me looks like he will be a really good athlete. Ryan seems to be high on T Johnson. Sometimes you strike gold with the small school guys. Brown and Hardy come to mind.
DE - McGraw, Townley, DDS, Talley. - Interested to see how Townley and McGraw mature and fit in this year. DDS and Talley should be pretty good.
DT - Artis, Durant - Really need to address this. Need Mustipher back in a big way hopefully as well as the Portal. Hopefully the reports on Van Den Berg are legit.
LB - Buddin, King, Wylie, Carter. - Like the DT's, could be stronger. Carter if he can keep his speed might be a freak out there at LB...but he could end up with a hand on ground too.
CB - Davis, King, Miller - King impressed as a frosh. We'll see what shakes out with the others.
S - Reed, Wheatley CB/S, Winston, Driver - one of the better position groups.


Overall from a skill position standpoint there is very little to gripe about, but the trenches simply need an upgrade. DT's and OT's....I think you can see where the roster lacks on the field and in the last 2 classes. Really need some portal help on the lines and PJ to return. OL simply just needs to man up and MY in year 2 needs to fix the ground game. Guys that didn't get the love that may jump out. Carter, Evans, Johnson, and Nelson all seem to come to mind. I may have missed some and I didn't include the portal guys, just HS folks coming in.

Excellent analysis sir!

 

[LaJollaCreek]

I believe you missed Flowers, who from reports is slated to begin practicing at Safety, which makes Safety even stronger and may also let Wheatley end up staying at CB. Will be interesting to see where Flowers and Driver end up playing, but I just hope they both end up as "players" somewhere on the field. Either or both could also end up at WR in the event that the young WR's don't live up to their playmaking potential. Hopefully Sanders comes out of the gate strong and ends up in the WR rotation right from the get go in 2022 and the 2021 WR's, Clifford and Wallace, are ready to make serious contributions as well. Sanders was uncoverable during the camp circuit and PSU really need someone to step up as a consistent deep threat to replace Dotson.

Yep. Another really good safety/athlete prospect.

 

[JerseyLion]

The overall talent has been there. The offensive line looks like it’s going to continue to be a problem that brings down the rest of the team.

 

[nittanyfan333]

The Penn State fan base is something.

If you admire Joe Paterno and his tenure over 60 years, you're called a "JoeBot."
If you like James Franklin and think he is a good fit at Penn State despite flaws that keep him below Nick Saban's level, you're called a "fanboy."

Writers who are paid to follow the program and report on its successes and failures seem more inclined to relish the latter and downplay the former.
Such writers are called "realists" and praised for not being "homers."

When players excel in the NFL, the HC is criticized for not getting that talent to show up while in college.
When players don't make an NFL roster, the HC is criticized for poor development of the players.
When players are not drafted by the NFL, the HC is criticized for poor player evaluation.

If Penn State jumps out to an early lead, but still loses the game, fans criticize the HC for "blowing the lead."
If Penn State falls behind early, comes back, but still loses the game, fans criticize the HC for not having the team prepared.
If Penn State comes from behind to win the game, fans claim the win "was a fluke," a "lucky break" and didn't deserve to win.

Fans who predict a 4 or 5 loss season criticize the HC for not exceeding their low expectations.
Fans already predict a 5 or 6 loss season for 2022, and will be glad to criticize the HC if it happens.

And amid all this positive aura lie opposing fan bases all too eager to blast "ped state" insults all over social media whenever the words Penn State appear in a discussion.

I'm neither a "bot" nor a "boy"; I'm just an old man who is grateful that the program I have loved for 60+ years still tries to stay above the line wrt integrity and character. It still produces solid football squads that usually win more than they lose. It still fires me up when I see the basic blue and the generic white run onto the field. It still brings joy to see the former stars and the newest stars together saying We Are ....

Do I wish we were a national powerhouse every year with Ohio State's W-L record? Sure. But do I want to be a fan of Ohio State? No.

Blast me as a "homer." Call me naive, delusional. Mock my blue-and-white glasses. But at least I wear Nittany Lion gear with pride and enjoy 3-4 hours on Saturday of gut-wrenching football. Well, except maybe on 3rd and 1.

Funny part is, seeing some of these boners around here, whatever tribe they align to, being such d!cks to other penn state fans. That's what really grinds my gears. Get over yourself man... we're all fans here.

 

[donaldfair71]

Facilities?

Giving up 360 on the ground to Illinois.

Getting 4 first downs over 3 quarters with a 3rd year former 4 star recruit at QB after our starter goes out against what turned out to be a defense that wasn't an immoveable object.

Finishing 2nd to last in the conference in rushing.

We'll never have a personnel advantage in any area against any team like our defense did against the Illinois offensive line. Made them look like the 95 Cornhuskers.

TR was a 4 star recruit.

We have done better in recruiting running backs and offensive linemen than all but 4 teams in the conference. Maybe 5.

The issue hasn't been getting guys. It's been getting them to play well, or even close, to their touted potential.