New coach

PSU4U

All-American
Aug 6, 2019
6,989
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I don’t think KD comes to PSU regardless of circumstances, but I don’t think Bama losing tomorrow is as much of a long shot as most would think. Right now, Auburn is a 5.5 point dog
That is one helluva rivalry and to this day remains a lot like the PS sPittoon rivalry. Rabid.
 
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Dec 14, 2021
412
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Agreed. Dabo's hatred of the portal doesn't make him a strong candidate IMO though some here would love that
Operating inside the portal will be vital for next year. Swinney doesn't. 2026 class is wiped out, not unexpected. When this all started, I was all in on Meyer. Still am. He's a 5-year bridge to the next guy. He wouldn't be here for the next 15 years. But, he absolutely gets PSU on the radar of the "big time" recruits and the best of the portal. Whether or not they come will depend on NIL.
 

LMTLION

All-Conference
Mar 20, 2008
1,132
2,337
112
It seems like Deboer or mystery man. Mystery man may be Sitake, Huepel, or someone else.
 

PSUcup

Senior
Nov 6, 2012
290
600
93
Everything around the search and hire has tightened up to the point of nothing factual being leaked. Of what was leaking it was only supposed lists interviews by some but beyond that not much at all. IMO all leaks have been intentional. As I like to refer to it, Chumming the Waters. Krat relative to the search has been pretty crafty.

We could all be in for a surprise in that none of the people we think will be it. There was a mystery interview and IMO it was either the BYU coach of Lord forbid the CU coach.
lol
 

Blair10

All-Conference
Dec 30, 2002
1,801
3,745
113
We may be down Tony Rojas as well. He has reportedly been scrubbing some of his PSU references from social media.

Not a big loss if true. Linebacker is a position in dire need of a talent upgrade across the board. Penn State needs more size, speed, athleticism, and depth. The new coach will have an opportunity to bring in and recruit his own players.
 
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SRURock24

Senior
Jul 25, 2017
561
833
93
Under Terry we are losing almost every recruit and now the star player on defense. Praying it is Deboer next week.
Exactly. I know Smith is in a tough spot and I like him, but his inability to keep more of these recruits on board is a major red flag to me. Not saying he was involved but it sounds like some subversion happened from within right under his nose.
 
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donaldfair71

All-Conference
Jul 4, 2005
902
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Exactly. I know Smith is in a tough spot and I like him, but his inability to keep more of these recruits on board is a major red flag to me. Not saying he was involved but it sounds like some subversion happened from within right under his nose.
Talked to a former commit this past weekend who hasn’t committed anywhere else yet. Said he’s committing wherever “Coach ****** is at next year”, and it wasn’t Smith but rather his position coach.

He visited Tech Saturday and he considers himself still open to commit again dependent on retention of that specific coach.
 
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SRURock24

Senior
Jul 25, 2017
561
833
93
Always enjoyed coaching searches but I am glad this one is winding down. Rumors on the other board now that the so called mystery guy is Sark. Parting ways with Texas. Highly doubtful but in the crazy era that is today’s college football nothing would surprise me. Also said one of Krafts first contacts was Swinney to “consult”.
 

BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
42,659
33,387
113
Exactly. I know Smith is in a tough spot and I like him, but his inability to keep more of these recruits on board is a major red flag to me. Not saying he was involved but it sounds like some subversion happened from within right under his nose.

It seems like we have quite the division. Recruits decommitting, Rojas seemingly quitting on us, but some current players advocating for Smith.

😞
 

olelion

Senior
Jun 10, 2001
2,639
795
113
Always enjoyed coaching searches but I am glad this one is winding down. Rumors on the other board now that the so called mystery guy is Sark. Parting ways with Texas. Highly doubtful but in the crazy era that is today’s college football nothing would surprise me. Also said one of Krafts first contacts was Swinney to “consult”.
Sark is a direct replacement for JF.........re: big games
 
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WVilleLion23

All-Conference
Oct 27, 2022
1,405
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Exactly. I know Smith is in a tough spot and I like him, but his inability to keep more of these recruits on board is a major red flag to me. Not saying he was involved but it sounds like some subversion happened from within right under his nose.
He is in a tough spot but it is also quite telling that most other big schools have their classes pretty intact and ours has been decimated. I don’t think it is all his fault given some of the shady stuff it seems those 2 Franklin lackeys were doing, but still not a good look. And shame on many of these parents for not telling their sons to hold fast for right now.
 
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WVilleLion23

All-Conference
Oct 27, 2022
1,405
2,115
82
Always enjoyed coaching searches but I am glad this one is winding down. Rumors on the other board now that the so called mystery guy is Sark. Parting ways with Texas. Highly doubtful but in the crazy era that is today’s college football nothing would surprise me. Also said one of Krafts first contacts was Swinney to “consult”.
He loses to A&M and they will help pack his bags down there, just like they will if Bama loses to Auburn.
 
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KingLando

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
4,738
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Won’t he be looking at UDFA?
Nah--some mocks have him as high as 2nd round. At worst, he's probably Day 3 but it doesn't matter where you get drafted any more--the key is getting into the league asap--see Parker Washington. See Drew Allar being foolish and staying.

One example of a mock draft
NFL Team Logo for Chargers #57 Los Angeles Chargers: Tony Rojas, LB, Penn State
Image for PSU

The Chargers are rather weak at linebacker. They need to get better against outside runs.

Tony Rojas excels in pass coverage.


2026 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2 – WalterFootball
 
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donaldfair71

All-Conference
Jul 4, 2005
902
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It seems like we have quite the division. Recruits decommitting, Rojas seemingly quitting on us, but some current players advocating for Smith.

😞

He is in a tough spot but it is also quite telling that most other big schools have their classes pretty intact and ours has been decimated. I don’t think it is all his fault given some of the shady stuff it seems those 2 Franklin lackeys were doing, but still not a good look. And shame on many of these parents for not telling their sons to hold fast for right now.
Franklin and his staff have been telling the high school kids they have a spot in Blacksburg but might not forever, and also the new guy may not want them (or they may not want him).

Other schools have no one other than coaches they’ve already turned down once telling them this, if at all.
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
9,299
13,055
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Chesney has 20. Plus he is a big portal guy brought in 31 through it last year.
The commits Chesney has at JMU are most likely not B1G level recruits. Again, Cignetti caught lightning in a bottle. That isn’t likely to happen again. The level of recruit Chesney gets to commit to play for JMU in the Sun Belt conference is far different than the level of recruit it takes to compete at a high level in the B1G.

 

donaldfair71

All-Conference
Jul 4, 2005
902
1,014
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The commits Chesney has at JMU are most likely not B1G level recruits. Again, Cignetti caught lightning in a bottle. That isn’t likely to happen again. The level of recruit Chesney gets to commit to play for JMU in the Sun Belt conference is far different than the level of recruit it takes to compete at a high level in the B1G.

Agree, although there are certainly some that are able to start in the B10.

He only took 4 with him from Holy Cross to JMU and that’s probably pretty illustrative of what he’d bring. Assuming Grunk is gone the QB can certainly play in the B10.
 

DaytonRickster

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
2,402
2,850
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That is one helluva rivalry and to this day remains a lot like the PS sPittoon rivalry. Rabid.

Rojas is going to the enter the draft--not sure why that's him quitting on us
Is he fully recovered from his surgery. He is very athletic and would probably test well if recovered. If I was a GM I might draft him very late or try to sign him as an UDFA. Maybe break in as a special teams guy and maybe make per chance show something in camp/preseason at LBer.
 

DaytonRickster

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
2,402
2,850
113
Nah--some mocks have him as high as 2nd round. At worst, he's probably Day 3 but it doesn't matter where you get drafted any more--the key is getting into the league asap--see Parker Washington. See Drew Allar being foolish and staying.

One example of a mock draft
NFL Team Logo for Chargers #57 Los Angeles Chargers: Tony Rojas, LB, Penn State
Image for PSU

The Chargers are rather weak at linebacker. They need to get better against outside runs.

Tony Rojas excels in pass coverage.


2026 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2 – WalterFootball
Interesting view.
 

KingLando

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
4,738
2,858
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Is he fully recovered from his surgery. He is very athletic and would probably test well if recovered. If I was a GM I might draft him very late or try to sign him as an UDFA. Maybe break in as a special teams guy and maybe make per chance show something in camp/preseason at LBer.
I'm not a huge fan of Rojas. I think he struggles in space and misses too many tackles but, if healthy, someone will fall in love with his athleticism and take him. But I'm 100% of the view--everyone should enter the draft asap. If there's a likelihood of you being drafted go. The people that should hang around college forever are guys like Diego Pavia
 
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