Former Penn State wrestler Bo Nickal set for pro MMA debut; transfer portal changes could be coming: Newsstand
Today’s Penn State newsstand is loaded with information on the Nittany Lions, college football, and more.
A former wrestler will make his professional mixed martial arts debut next month. Elsewhere, transfer windows could be coming to college football.
We’ll cover all of that and more as we take a look at the top tweets and headlines that are relevant to Penn State on Wed., May 4.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with news away from the football field.
Former Penn State wrestler Bo Nickal is scheduled to make his first pro MMA appearance on June 3. The news was announced by UFC Fight Pass. However, it’s unclear which promotion Nickal will fight during. An opponent has also not yet been announced.
Nickal was 2-0 as an amateur MMA fighter. He was also a three-time NCAA champion with the Lions and had a brief but successful freestyle career after his time in a blue and white singlet before moving over to mixed martial arts.
In other news, transfer windows could be coming to college football. The American Football Coaches Association, which Penn State coach James Franklin sits on the board of, backs the idea. However, it’s unclear where the leader of the Lions stands on the topic.
Per ESPN, the first window would run from April 15 to May 1. The second would start on the final Sunday in November and last until the early signing period.
“There are two legitimate windows: after the season and after spring [practice],” Arizona coach Jedd Fisch told ESPN. “To assume that they can make a decision after just a season, you’re assuming that recruiting isn’t going to play a role. You have to see who did they sign, what did the recruiting class look like and then spring ball, who came early. ‘I thought I was the second back but I’m really the fourth back.’ Who left early?
“You have to give them that opportunity.”
Finally, for this section, the Big Ten could have the framework of its new media rights deal in place within the next 30 days. Conference commissioner Kevin Warren told ESPN that during the Big Ten meetings in Arizona this week.
Headlines of the day
Penn State Men’s Hockey: Longtime Director of Ops Moving on to Next Chapter: Jones, Statecollege.com
Who will replace the production Penn State football lost to the 2022 NFL Draft?: Pickel, BWI
James Franklin era defined: Penn State’s draft success an endorsement and indictment: Hickey, Saturday Tradition
Penn State makes top five with four-star DL Will Norman: Snyder, BWI
On3’s guide to top NFL Draft picks as recruits: Power, On3
Penn State, in shared vision, sets course for football success: Bauer, BWI
What Penn State’s New AD Doesn’t Want to Change About Beaver Stadium: Wogenrich, SI
Penn State will host a Texas four-star for an official visit in June: Pickel, BWI
Biggest winners and disappointments from Penn State’s draft class: Giger, DKPittsburghSports
Quote of the day
“The CFP model needs to be looked at differently,” Smith said. “As we consider expansion, we ought to consider the structure. The reality is we need to begin to control our own space. We’ve got to make sure we’re careful with antitrust, but at the end of the day, we need different rules.”
