Penn State March checklist: The road to spring practice, quiet period begins, and more

March is here, and Penn State football is about to get busy.

The Nittany Lions have much to accomplish during the third month of the year. That goes for both the current team and on the recruiting front.

At the start of each month, Blue-White Illustrated provides a checklist for the program so fans know what to follow in the days ahead. Here’s what is on the docket over the next 31 days.

The quiet period is underway

Recruits could not visit campus during the month of February. Starting today, that has changed.

A quiet period is underway. It allows prospects to check out campuses on unofficial visits. But, coaches can not hit the road. There are three quiet periods on the NCAA recruiting calendar, this one, another in June, and a third in July.

Penn State will hope to host visitors today through Friday, and perhaps the weekend as well. But, the university’s spring break starts Saturday. As BWI recruiting expert Ryan Snyder has noted on the weekly recruiting podcast, coaches typically take a vacation that week, too. It means that a slow start to the visit window is likely on decl.

We’ll be keeping an eye on whether or not any transfer portal targets visit this month. Similarly, we expect most high school visitors to aim for later in the month because of the next item on our checklist.

Penn State prepares for spring practice

That’s right, folks: Helmets, shoulder pads, whistles, and updates from the practice field are almost back.

Spring drills start on March 21. The Lions will practice that day and 13 times after it before holding practice 15, which is always the Blue-White game, on April 23. Kickoff has been set for 2 p.m. ET and Big Ten Network will televise the event.

“Mobile parking will be sent to 2022 season parking pass holders who renew or place a deposit by February 18,” a Penn State news release says.

“All other parking will be 20 dollars via presale or on the day of the event.”

Lots open at 9 p.m. The countdown to Penn State’s first Blue-White game since 2019 is officially on.

Former Lions head to the NFL Combine

The NFL Combine will be held this week. Eight former Penn State players are expected to be on hand.

Receiver Jahan Dotson, offensive tackle Rasheed Walker, defensive ends Arnold Ebiketie and Jesse Luketa, linebacker Brandon Smith, corner Tariq Castro-Fields, safety Jaquan Brisker, and specialist Jordan Stout will all be in Indianapolis for the annual event that takes players one step closer to the NFL Draft.

Dotson and the receivers will go first with on-field workouts on Thursday, although they actually arrive on Monday. Walker and the offensive lineman have on-field testing on Friday. Smith will be in action on Saturday, before Castro-Feilds, Brisker, and Stout get their turn on Sunday, which is the final day of the Combine.

Odds and ends

–Winter workouts are wrapping up. We hope to learn more about which Penn State players progressed the most during them later this week.

–On the wrestling front, the postseason is underway. Penn State heads to the Big Ten tournament in Lincoln, Neb., March 5-6 with hopes of qualifying all 10 of its starters for the NCAA tournament, which will be held March 17-19 in Detroit, Mich.