The four most important Penn State transfer acquisitions

I think Eskilsden is better than Sowell

TFrank...how are you holding up after that bullshit from Saturday with your Bills and some of those calls the 4th?

CJPhilly said:

TFrank...how are you holding up after that ******** from Saturday with your Bills and some of those calls the 4th?

Well, he just got some news on that as you posted.

Interesting. Well in my humble opinion, Penn State's most important transfer acquisition this off season was none other than one .... Matt Campbell!

This offense and these players. It's going to be interesting looking back on stuff like this. Because I feel it has such a high probability to look like huge sunshine pumping. But it could be spot on too. Nobody knows. But it's interesting in the vibes and faith put into the ISU guys, both staff and players. Amazing what the hope of something different will do. Either way this is going to be a fun ride around here for the next 8 months. Seeing this play out.

CJPhilly said:

TFrank...how are you holding up after that ******** from Saturday with your Bills and some of those calls the 4th?

We can debate about the officiating but maybe it would help if the QB would take care of the ball better in the playoffs. 4 turnovers (3 without the controversial INT) isn’t going to get it done.

delete

blackshoes said:

This offense and these players. It's going to be interesting looking back on stuff like this. Because I feel it has such a high probability to look like huge sunshine pumping. But it could be spot on too. Nobody knows. But it's interesting in the vibes and faith put into the ISU guys, both staff and players. Amazing what the hope of something different will do. Either way this is going to be a fun ride around here for the next 8 months. Seeing this play out.

Sean or Nate brought this up on a recent pod that the vibe in Lasche is like a 180 degree difference from last staff where it is 100% football all the time. It will be intersting to see the results this fall (man...which is a loooooooong way off)

CJPhilly said:

Sean or Nate brought this up on a recent pod that the vibe in Lasche is like a 180 degree difference from last staff where it is 100% football all the time. It will be intersting to see the results this fall (man...which is a loooooooong way off)

180 is an exaggeration, but Campbell is all football.

Sean Fitz said:

180 is an exaggeration, but Campbell is all football.

My bad...but it did stick that the vibe now was all football.

CJPhilly said:

TFrank...how are you holding up after that ******** from Saturday with your Bills and some of those calls the 4th?

By holding the same standard I do here. You don't get to turn the ball over five times and win a game against the #1 seed in the AFC playoffs. I did not trust this team because of its fundamental flaws at recevier. In this game, Allen threw an INT to Mecole Hardman (ran the route details wrong) and Brandin Cooks (gave the ball up at the catch point). The team's top young player, Keon Coleman, was an active scratch for most of the season.

sahthsidelion10 said:

We can debate about the officiating but maybe it would help if the QB would take care of the ball better in the playoffs. 4 turnovers (3 without the controversial INT) isn’t going to get it done.

I'm not trying to be an Allen apologist. He gave Denver 3 free points before halftime in the dumbest possible way. However, aside from that, turnover here's how they went down. 1. Blindsided sack/fumble because our LT with the body shape of a blueberry couldn't get to the chip block (I know Shakir is to blame, but Dawkins irrationally bothers me) 2. Bad route by Mecole Hardman 3. Brandin Cooks sucks at catching I'm not putting those fully on the QB who was trying to trust the strangers he was throwing to.

TFrankCarr said:

https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/the-four-most-important-penn-state-transfer-acquisitions-from-the-portal/

Is it fair to say the backup QB situation for 2026 better that what it was in 2025? Going into 2025, Grunk was a redshirt freshman who was the 3rd string QB for most of the year, got in for (I think) one game, and was 1/2 with a pick when he got in. Going into 2026, Manske is a redshirt freshman who was the 2nd string QB last year, got in three games, and was 4/5 for 80 yards. And I think Manske was a higher rated recruit than Grunk, right? Nominal difference in experience, but definitely better than what PSU had in 2025.

emccomb1 said:

Is it fair to say the backup QB situation for 2026 better that what it was in 2025? Going into 2025, Grunk was a redshirt freshman who was the 3rd string QB for most of the year, got in for (I think) one game, and was 1/2 with a pick when he got in. Going into 2026, Manske is a redshirt freshman who was the 2nd string QB last year, got in three games, and was 4/5 for 80 yards. And I think Manske was a higher rated recruit than Grunk, right? Nominal difference in experience, but definitely better than what PSU had in 2025.

I don't know yet because I haven't had a chance to study Manske.

TFrankCarr said:

By holding the same standard I do here.

'"The standard is the standard" - Mike Tomlin' - TFrankCarr

Sean Fitz said:

Well, he just got some news on that as you posted.

Zoe is gonna be so pissed.

emccomb1 said:

Is it fair to say the backup QB situation for 2026 better that what it was in 2025? Going into 2025, Grunk was a redshirt freshman who was the 3rd string QB for most of the year, got in for (I think) one game, and was 1/2 with a pick when he got in. Going into 2026, Manske is a redshirt freshman who was the 2nd string QB last year, got in three games, and was 4/5 for 80 yards. And I think Manske was a higher rated recruit than Grunk, right? Nominal difference in experience, but definitely better than what PSU had in 2025.

No Grunk was top 100 national recruit. Manske #266. Grunk was higher rated as a HS recruit and a portal transfer.

TFrankCarr said:

By holding the same standard I do here.

You don't get to turn the ball over five times and win a game against the #1 seed in the AFC playoffs. I did not trust this team because of its fundamental flaws at recevier. In this game, Allen threw an INT to Mecole Hardman (ran the route details wrong) and Brandin Cooks (gave the ball up at the catch point). The team's top young player, Keon Coleman, was an active scratch for most of the season.

Agree with everything you wrote

TFrankCarr said:

https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/the-four-most-important-penn-state-transfer-acquisitions-from-the-portal/

I have to say I appreciate your breakdowns. If only you'd talk less in your podcast.😁👍

TFrankCarr said:

By holding the same standard I do here.

You don't get to turn the ball over five times and win a game against the #1 seed in the AFC playoffs. I did not trust this team because of its fundamental flaws at recevier. In this game, Allen threw an INT to Mecole Hardman (ran the route details wrong) and Brandin Cooks (gave the ball up at the catch point). The team's top young player, Keon Coleman, was an active scratch for most of the season.

TFrankCarr said:

I don't know yet because I haven't had a chance to study Manske.

That's fair and beyond my skill set. I guess my point is that given generally available information, it seems like Manske as QB2 in 2026 > Grunk as QB2 in 2025 on its face. I bring it up because it feels like just about everyone, including at least some of the BWI staff, feel like PSU is in a dire situation at QB2 this year and I don't remember hearing that sentiment last year. Last year was more like "PSU has two potentially great young backups. Looking good." But I might be misremembering.

PSUFANINTX3 said:

No Grunk was top 100 national recruit. Manske #266. Grunk was higher rated as a HS recruit and a portal transfer.

On3 has Grunk as a 94 recruit and Manske as a 96. It has Grunk as the #10 QB in his class and Manske as the #8. Manske is a Top 60 recruit. And transfer is irrelevant. I am talking about 2025 vs 2026, not 2026 Grunk vs 2026 Manske.

PSUFANINTX3 said:

No Grunk was top 100 national recruit. Manske #266. Grunk was higher rated as a HS recruit and a portal transfer.

According to the industry, yes. According to On3, no. On3 ranked Manske higher at a 96 vs a 94 for Grunk.

TFrankCarr said:

I'm not trying to be an Allen apologist. He gave Denver 3 free points before halftime in the dumbest possible way. However, aside from that, turnover here's how they went down. 1. Blindsided sack/fumble because our LT with the body shape of a blueberry couldn't get to the chip block (I know Shakir is to blame, but Dawkins irrationally bothers me) 2. Bad route by Mecole Hardman 3. Brandin Cooks sucks at catching I'm not putting those fully on the QB who was trying to trust the strangers he was throwing to.

All fair points. This is more criticism than most the national media is dishing out and that’s more my issue. Allen has become a media darling that almost can do no wrong on the national stage, but he deserves some heat when he loses like he did.