Questions for the Penn State recruiting Class of 2021: BWI Daily
Penn State football writers will get their first chance to speak to the recruiting class of 2021 this week. The program will host a media session on Wednesday for the 15 players from the class in their first official interviews as Nittany Lions. The progam has a long-standing policy not to allow players to speak to the media in their freshman year, but now that the group has had a year on campus (and media training), they’ll meet with reporters for the first time.
Meeting the Class of 2021 for the first time at Penn State
Host Thomas Frank Carr, and senior Editor Nate Bauer, set the stage for the introduction on the BWI Daily Edition. The pair start by recapping the players in the class, projected starters, and players who will contend for playing time next Fall.
T-Frank and Bauer start by running back the history of the Class of 2021, which had a senior year in high school unlike any other. T-Frank also revisits some recruiting storylines about this group, including their ranking in the nation and Big Ten. Meanwhile, Bauer discusses which players he’s interested in talking to and why.
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Penn State underclassmen who could push for playing time: Zane Durant
At some point every coach on the Penn State football staff has likely uttered some form of the following thought. It’s not intended to be cruel but as a motivating tool for their players. But unfortunately, while it’s not cruel, it is the harsh reality of competitive environments.
“Don’t get complacent because we go out and look for players that can replace you every year.”
So with that thought in mind, which players on the roster are in that very real situation? Who needs to step up their game and leave no doubt that they are worthy of being on the field, lest they be supplanted.
Check out the rest of the series:
- Harrison Wallace
- Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen
- Tyler Warren
- Dani Dennis-Sutton and Demeioun Robinson
Veteran at risk of losing playing time: Any of them
Threat: Zane Durant
Suddenly, the Penn State defensive tackle room is crowded. While there is no clear-cut superstar among the group, at least six players can contribute next year. While that seems like a lot, it’s a good number when split between two positions.
Yet, after reviewing the Blue-Whit Game, it’s not clear if Penn State is differentiating between interior position anymore. Redshirt junior Hakeem Beamon is the “name” of the group and, as long as he stays eligible, is the most likely defensive lineman to have a breakout season. He proved that he had a presence in 2020 before sitting the following season for unknown reasons.
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