Penn State Recruiting review and conversation: T-Frank Friday
Each Friday, film analyst and host of the BWI Daily Edition, Thomas Frank Carr, reviews the week and provides some extra context to what he learned and shared with the members of Blue White Illustrated about Penn State football. To join the conversation and ask BWI’s film analyst a question, join T-Frank, on the Lions Den message board.
Reviewing Penn State’s recruiting class
The week started hot in the recruiting world for Penn State football. The Nittany Lions secured two top linebackers in the class of 2023 late last week, completing their defensive roster for this cycle. With Ta’Mere Robinson and Tony Rojas in tow, we looked at how the defensive class stacks up by grading each position.
Grading positional groups in Penn State’s Class of 2023: Defense
While the offense still has work, we looked at the roster on that side of the ball and sized up how Penn State has fared this recruiting year.
Grading positional groups in Penn State’s Class of 2023: Offense
It’s incredible how quickly things change. About three months ago, the offense was far ahead of the defense not only in the number of commits but the quality of players as well. But, with diligent work and a bit of luck, the defense has a borderline elite class.
Can they get back to a position of strength in this class offensively? Quality options dried up at quarterback since the summer, and the offensive line group is waiting with bated breath for four-star tackle Evan Link’s decision. Alone, Link’s commitment would be a great acquisition, but adding another tackle would solidify this group. Both will be tough.
Defensively, can they get over the top for 2023? Once again, an elite defensive tackle has eluded them in this cycle, but they do have elite talent at every other position on the defensive roster.
New recruiting prediction for PSU
With that in mind, how does Jalen Thompson fit into the class at defensive end? It’s an interesting proposition that we have to consider now that recruiting insider Ryan Snyder predicted the Cass Tech defensive end to land at Penn State. The 6-3 pass rusher is a quality prospect that blends the team’s committed players. He has upside like Roman Catholic pass rusher Jameial Lyons but does have a good base of fundamentals and pass rushing moves like Alabama four-star TJ Parker. Overall he would be another quality add for Penn State at defensive end and would be worth making room in the class.
Speaking of adding players, we started the week looking at the two names rumored to be connected with Penn State in its quarterback search.
While neither Jaxon Smolik nor Brady Drogosh is a perfect fit, each brings something valuable to the table. Identifying the right mid-level prospects is predicting which limitations or flaws are something a player can overcome.
Penn State football season preview: Quarterbacks
Finally, T-Frank and senior editor Nate Bauer started their look at the 2022 season by breaking down the quarterback position.
Both T-Frank and Bauer are optimistic that Penn State will have a bounce-back season from the signal caller under center for the Nittany Lions. Will that be Sean Clifford?
