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Penn State in the NFL: Trace McSorley set for first pro start; 3 ex-Lions earn Pro Bowl nod

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel12/22/22GregPickel
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Trace McSorley. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Penn State has a large contingent of former players in the NFL. Four of them, in particular, are in the spotlight this week.

We start with one-time Nittany Lion Trace McSorley. The all-time fan favorite of many in ‘Nittany Nation’ is set to make his first professional start this Sunday in what is his third NFL season when the Arizona Cardinals battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in primetime at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.

“He’s one of those guys, I hate to use the term ‘gamer,’ but he’s got a lot of moxie, plays with a lot of confidence,” Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury said, according to ESPN. “Teammates respond to that.”

Penn State fans certainly know how true that is.

After a legendary career with the Lions, the Baltimore Ravens picked the Virginia native in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. McSorley was with the AFC North franchise until Nov. 28, 2021, which is when Arizona signed the quarterback off of Baltimore’s practice squad. He’s been with the NFC West franchise ever since and became the third-string quarterback this offseason. However, the franchise’s star passer, Kyler Murray, is out the season following an ACL injury. And, backup Colt McCoy is in the concussion protocol. So, McSorley will lead a first-team NFL offense from start to finish for the first time Sunday. And, his family will be in attendance to see it.

“It’s an exciting opportunity,”  McSorley told ESPN. “I always want to let myself feel that excitement and feel that a little bit just so I can enjoy the moment but at the same time just being focused and ready to go.”

McSorley has played in three games so far this season, all as a backup. He’s completed 15 of 29 passes for 166 yards and three interceptions. In his career, those numbers are 18-for-39 for 256 yards, a touchdown, and three picks.

“I just want to see how he does with some reps,” Kingsbury said.

“It’s not easy to go in there without any reps, basically throughout the entire season, with the first-team offense, so excited to see how he can perform with some reps this week.”

Three former Penn State players are off to the Pro Bowl

Three former Penn State players will participate in this year’s Pro Bowl festivities. It is no longer a traditional game, of course. Skills competitions and three flag football games are on the schedule instead.

The former Lions who earned the honor are Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, and Philadelphia Eagles back Miles Sanders. All three are arguably having the best seasons of their respective careers. Parsons is in line for defensive MVP honors and possibly the outright honor, as well. Barkley could win the league’s Comeback Player of the Year honor. And, Sanders is a key cog in the Birds’ offense.

The Pro Bowl is Feb. 5 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. ABC and ESPN will televise it.

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