2014 Penn State Football - The Beginning of a New Era

[spy5007]

For those not in the know, Palmer is a JuCo transfer. Thus the enthusiasm about this particular prospect.

 
Thank you, I should have specified that, but it goes without saying that a juco OL would go a huge way towards contending next year, especially considering how solid of a prospect Palmer is. I was told Franklin has is in-home with him on the last day before the dead period, so it sounds like he will have the last crack at him. Definitely hoping for the best.

 

[SoxJox]

And in other news, Michigan commit and Trotwood (Ohio) Madison 4* QB Messiah deWeavers plans visit to Penn State.  Nothing revealing or earth-shattering in the report, but given the woes at Michigan, this could be interesting.

 

[sfip]

Backup QB Michael O'Connor is transferring from Penn State.

 

[Fred in Lynn]

After JF's glowing review of McSorley's progress, combined with how we've seen a pocket passer - and a much more advanced one at that - perform in a Donovan offense, it's not surprising.

 

[SoxJox]

Update on Paris Palmer: 

JuCo OL Paris Palmer decommits from South Carolina, Penn State 'likely' destination

 

[SoxJox]

I won't say, "as expected," but Palmer finalizes the switch.

OL Paris Palmer commits to Penn State after flipping from South Carolina

 

[spy5007]

Palmer addition is exciting. I think he immediately slots in as the starting RT next year, if not the starting LT given the uncertainty of Donovan Smith's return. (For those who dont know, Smith is the starting LT who is rumored to have some academic difficulties and also may leave early for the draft).
 
In any case, huge pickup and finally could develop the inroads with Lackawanna CC that we need. Lackawanna was also the same school that produced former NFL All Pro Bryant McKinnie, and when he began the recruiting process, told all interested schools not to contact him as the only school he was interested in was Penn State. Foolishly, because of our aversion to taking JUCO players, that interest was never reciprocated by PSU and he left for Miami where he eventually became a Heisman finalist and NFL stud. Good times.

 

[sfip]

Sam Ficken is using Derek Jeter's former locker today. I expect to see a share of RESPE97 jokes on twitter.

 

[mabrowndog]

Football Central's preview is live:
 

 
Penn State’s defense in one word? Stifling. The Nittany Lions yielded 270 total yards per game, trailing only Clemson among the 128 FBS programs. Nobody fared better against the run than PSU, which allowed just 84.6 ground yards per contest, and the Lions ranked 10th in pass defense (185 YPG). Junior defensive tackle Anthony Zettel, in his first year at the position after playing defensive end, made 15 tackles for losses, 8 sacks and 3 interceptions. Senior linebacker Mike Hull, a consensus All-American, led the Big Ten with 134 tackles (11.2 per game).

 

[canderson]

@Ben_Jones88: Penn State's win means the program exits the sanction era with a 22-16 record and three straight seasons over .500

 

[sfip]

Redshirt junior OT Donovan Smith declares eligibility for NFL draft, after earning his degree in 3.5 years.

 

[Fred in Lynn]

Good for him. That sort of softens the news of the Palmer and Jenkins, both of whom are enrolling next month.

How does that work anyway? Can a kid sign before LOI day if they enroll early? Recruiting service still show Jenkins as a verbal, but the school announced he Will be attending. Also, classes obviously start before LOI day.

 

[sfip]

Junior DE Deion Barnes also declares eligibility for NFL draft.

 

[Fred in Lynn]

Think Smith makes sense, but I believe Barnes would have definitely helped his stock with another year.

 

[sfip]

TE Jesse James also declares eligibility for NFL draft.

 

[SoxJox]

I think James may be making his decision based on a likely disillusion about how he might be used next year (especially with Breneman returning from injury) given this year's foibles.  On the other hand, all other TEs were FR and SOs in 2014, so I would have expected James to be a key target in 2015 - assuming OC Donovan can come to his senses and recognize that there is a position on offense called Tight End.
 
Certainly a big body with capable blocking skills, and respectable but not monster college receiving stats (Catches / Yards / TDs)
 
2012 (FR): 15 / 276 / 5
2013 (SO): 23 / 323 / 3
2013 (JR): 38 / 396 / 3
 
In 2014, he ranked [SIZE=14.3999996185303px]17th nationally in receptions (#1: Jonnu Smith, FIU, 61); [/SIZE]25th in yards (#1: Jonnu Smith, FIU, 710) ; and tied for 35th in TDs (#1, 3 tied with 8: Jonnu Smith, FIU; MAxx Wililams, Minnesota; and E.J. Bibbs, Iowa State)
 
B1G TE leaders were: Receptions 40 (Dan Vitale, Northwestern); yards 569 (Maxx Williams, Minnesota); and TDS 8 (Maxx Williams, Minnesota)

 

[Fred in Lynn]

...I would have expected James to be a key target in 2015 - assuming OC Donovan can come to his senses and recognize that there is a position on offense called Tight End.

Ha ha. Very true. It was almost as if he promised a dying friend he would not employ any of BOB's playbook, particularly the use of athletic TEs against slower safeties and LBs.

 

[Fred in Lynn]

http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2015/1/6/7505089/report-bob-shoop-will-interview-for-lsus-defensive-coordinator-job-penn-state-nittany-lions

I really, really miss Scrap.

 

[sfip]

[twitter]Coach_ShoopPSU[/twitter]
 

 
#WEARE..So excited 2 b part of the Penn State Family. Lots of work 2 b done. Committed 2 building a Big 10 n National Championship Program!
 
7:33 PM - 7 Jan 2015

 
 

 

[sfip]

Shoop expected to receive 3-year deal, near $1M annually.

 

[Fred in Lynn]

Good. Pay up.

 

[SoxJox]

QB D.J. Crook announces he will transfer to Albany
 
With Crook spelling Hackenberg in blowouts, O'Connor and fellow true freshman Trace McSorley were able to stay on the sideline and keep their redshirts intact. And as O'Connor looks for a new landing spot, McSorley will be the primary backup to Hackenberg in 2015 with incoming freshman Tommy Stevens is expected to be third on the depth chart.

 

[sfip]

I'll leave it to SoxJox if he wants to start a 2015 thread, but DT Robert Windsor commits to PSU over a late offer from Wisconsin, his home state.
 

 
Windsor is the No. 70 defensive tackle in the country according to 247Sports. He is the No. 5 prospect in Wisconsin as well. He was a first team all-state selection as a senior in 2014. He was recruited for the Nittany Lions by defensive line coach Sean Spencer.