Updating Penn State camp battles, standout players: BWI Daily
Penn State football enters the second week of training camp for the 2022 season and insider Nate Bauer has an update on how things are going for the Nittany Lions. He and host Thomas Frank Carr discuss Penn State’s top training camp battles, the linebacker depth chart, and players standing out in camp.
Linebacker depth chart update
For many Penn State fans, the middle linebacker competition is the featured event for fall camp. First, Bauer has an update about which player, between Kobe King and Tyler Elsdon, has a lead at this point. Next, T-Frank and Bauer discuss what James Franklin’s comments about freshman linebacker Keon Wylie mean for fellow freshman Abdul Carter. They wrap up their discussion about the position with how positive Penn State feels about the position.
Next, they discuss Franklin’s comments about cornerback Johnny Dixon. The lead man for the Lions said that Dixon was coming on strong and even pushing for starting reps. While that says one thing about Dixon, what does that say about the players ahead of him? Finally, T-Frank and Bauer discuss the nuances around Penn State’s cornerback spot opposite Joey Porter Jr.
Penn State guard competition update
Next, they tackle the offensive line. Bauer spoke to offensive line coach Phil Trautwein about the competition between Sal Wormley and transfer Hunter Nourzad. Bauer got a straight answer about who is the starter and which player is the backup from Trautwein when he discussed the situation. First, however, Bauer chats with T-Frank about the underlying competition and how that might change over time.
Lastly, they round out the show by discussing players that are flashing positive plays during camp and which players are sticking out for their positive contributions.
Penn State’s linebacker depth chart crystalizes after media day
Penn State football held its media day on Saturday, where members of the beat got their first chance to ask about week one of Penn State training camp. Of course, one of the main storylines for camp this fall is the linebacker competition between Tyler Elsdon and Kobe King.
Head coach James Franklin addressed the competition during his 35 minutes on the podium,
“But I do think right now [Tyler] Elsdon and Kobe [King] have done a really nice job there. I think that’s a legitimate competition. I think we feel good about how those guys are operating the defense right now,” he said.
Penn State confidence growing in middle linebacker competition
Confidence in the group has been growing since the spring. Franklin and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz were looking for a player to add to the competition via the transfer portal during the winter and early months of the year but quit looking after spring ball.
“With everyone that came through the portal, we did not feel that any of the options was improved our football team, and I think that says a lot for how our guys practiced in the spring,” Diaz said on Saturday.
Since then, the question has been what to do with freshman Abdul Carter. Should the staff start him off at middle linebacker, his likely final home, or should they ease him in and put him at the Will spot, which has less mental workload? Franklin addressed that question by bringing up another freshman and their plans for him.
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