2014 Penn State Football - The Beginning of a New Era

[MentalDisabldLst]

There was no reason PSU couldn't have had a decent shot at a TD on that final drive.  Their clock management was Andy Reid bad, and they may or may not have gotten screwed out of a timeout by the refs (who, it must be said, may have also screwed OSU out of one as well).  They reached the OSU 40 with well over a minute left, but then had some weird playcalling, got shorted at least 5 seconds after the review for the 1st down, and bizarrely spiked the ball despite the clock being stopped.  With a little more time, they run a few more actual non-home-run plays, and probably get it.  They were just carving up the OSU defense on that drive.
 
Settling for a FG was the game there.  Well, that and the DPI in overtime.

 

[canderson]

The B1G admitted late Sunday a "failure in officiating mechanics" led to the reply booth not actually reviewing the interception and the referree not noticing the playcall was expried for 3 seconds prior to the OSU field goal.
 
This conference is the fucking worst.

 

[Fred in Lynn]

The B1G admitted late Sunday a "failure in officiating mechanics" led to the reply booth not actually reviewing the interception and the referree not noticing the playcall was expried for 3 seconds prior to the OSU field goal.
 
This conference is the fucking worst.

It's too bad that they can't describe how they would remedy such situations, e.g., reiterate to all officiating crews that one specific official is responsible for watching the play clock or allow for video review, establish a "get-the-call-right" policy for review where they can use any available feeds (like television or the replay board everyone else in the stadium saw). Something, anything to show they care about improving their performance.

 

[Fred in Lynn]

There was no reason PSU couldn't have had a decent shot at a TD on that final drive.  Their clock management was Andy Reid bad, and they may or may not have gotten screwed out of a timeout by the refs (who, it must be said, may have also screwed OSU out of one as well).  They reached the OSU 40 with well over a minute left, but then had some weird playcalling, got shorted at least 5 seconds after the review for the 1st down, and bizarrely spiked the ball despite the clock being stopped.  With a little more time, they run a few more actual non-home-run plays, and probably get it.  They were just carving up the OSU defense on that drive.
 
Settling for a FG was the game there.  Well, that and the DPI in overtime.

I don't have much faith in Donovan's play-calling abilities. Also, don't forget the phantom TO that they inexplicably made Franklin take on that drive.

 

[canderson]

The B1G officials in the past five years have fucked up so many times in so many games, by now it's just a normal occurance. No data to back it up but they have to be the most inept group of officials out of any conference in the game. It's quite amazing, really.
 
The replay official was the same one that fucked up that Nebraksa game in 2012, iirc.

 

[Fred in Lynn]

Yup, John O'Neill.

 

[SoxJox]

The B1G officials in the past five years have fucked up so many times in so many games, by now it's just a normal occurance. No data to back it up but they have to be the most inept group of officials out of any conference in the game. It's quite amazing, really.
 
The replay official was the same one that fucked up that Nebraksa game in 2012, iirc.

To be fair - and it's hard for me to be so in this case - it really wasn't the replay officiel per se - at least as far as the published reports.  Apparently it was the replay feed to the booth wherein the problem lay.  There reportedly was some type of snafu that limited the view to only the overhead camera(s).
 
But that brings up a question: what video source does the NCAA use?  Their own or the broadcast network?  ABC certainly didn't have any trouble with their video feeds into the on-air broadcast or onto the stadium scoreboard.

 

[SoxJox]

Well, this at least answers my question about video source(s).
 
For context, the problem encountered on the interception was the video that was made available to the replay booth.
 
Sites a couple of rules on point:
 
"Whatever video [replay officials] use must be available in the booth."
 
Is that really true? I know that Rogers Redding didn't write the rule in the NCAA Rules and Interpretations manual; the NCAA rules committee did.
 
Here's what it says under Rule 12, Section 4, Article 3a: All equipment used reviewing a play during the replay process[SIZE=16.3636360168457px] [/SIZE]and the personnel using that equipment shall be located in a separate, secure[SIZE=16.3636360168457px] [/SIZE]location in the press box. This room shall not be available or accessible to any[SIZE=16.3636360168457px] [/SIZE]person not directly involved in instant replay.
 
So, if the equipment isn't working, can't the replay official call someone and say, "Hey, get me a monitor that works"? The rule does not say that the replay official can't leave the room. It does not say he can't ask that a working monitor be brought to him. It does not say he can't ask that the game be delayed a few minutes until a glitch in his monitor's feed is fixed. It does not say he can't leave the booth and seek out a working monitor.
 
In fact, subsequent NCAA rules indicate just the opposite:
 
Rule 12, Section 6, Article 1c: All reviews shall be based upon video evidence provided by and coming directly from the televised production of the game or from other video means available to the replay official.
 
Rule 12, Section 6, Article 2a: There is no restriction on the number of times the replay official may stop a game for reviews.
 
Rule 12, Section 6, Article 2b: The replay official is under no time limit for a review.

 

[Fred in Lynn]

http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/10/penn_state_video_replay_ohio_state_big_ten.html

I think Jones nails it, and commenters bring up a few other referee screw ups. All of which just perpetuates me beating a dead horse and not moving on, but I can't recall a more poorly and ineptly officiated game, and can't get over it.

 

[SoxJox]

I posted this in the Week 10 thread, but thought I'd drop it here too.
 
 
Posted Today, 04:33 PM

canderson, on 01 Nov 2014 - 3:39 PM, said:

PSU turns it over on downs, Maryland wins.

2nd win ever for Maryland vs PSU. The Lions are in free fall mode. 4 losses in a row now.

You're probably right.  But I'm not surprised.  I mean, the Lions are exactly where everyone a year+ ago said they would be.  Why is it so surprising now that the expectations are being fulfilled?
 
Oh...the recruiting guru arrived.  But Franklin recruiting success still has yet to be determined on the field - and really has no effect on THIS year, and likely very little next.
 
What Penn State now has is a OL with no second-year starter.  And 2 of those first year starters who began the season are now out, so 2 of 5 are from the second row in the depth chart.  Surprising? Hell, I'm shocked they've performed as well as they have at times.  With the scholarship reductions and 4 (or perhaps 5) scholarship holders not even on the team anymore, Penn State suits up less than 50 schollies.  That will rectify itself.
 
And Hackenberg is performing about as well as can be expected given the constant harassment and pounding he's taking.  I can't blame him for often throwing across his body or off his back foot, chicken winging many of his passes, or flinching.  Hell - who wouldn't?  What I do criticize him for in many instances though is his apprehension about tucking the ball and running - something he did much more often last year and at the beginning of this year.  I don;t think we'll see him benched - but if so, Michael Connor will have an opportunity to show why he was the 5th rated HS QB coming out last year.
 

 

[Fred in Lynn]

I posted it in reply to the comment in the GDT, but I'll do it again here since its relevant to the team: I think McSorley is second on the depth chart. Franklin either said that or I read Jones mention it.

I think their QB after Hackenberg isn't here yet. It would have been Wimbush. I believe they want a read-option guy. O'Connor seemed good for O'Brien's offense. Then again, I've never seen him play and only know him from his recruiting profile.

 

[canderson]

I'm not going to be surprised when Hackenberg transfers after the season. He's literally getting killed in this system.

 

[SoxJox]

I posted it in reply to the comment in the GDT, but I'll do it again here since its relevant to the team: I think McSorley is second on the depth chart. Franklin either said that or I read Jones mention it.

I think their QB after Hackenberg isn't here yet. It would have been Wimbush. I believe they want a read-option guy. O'Connor seemed good for O'Brien's offense. Then again, I've never seen him play and only know him from his recruiting profile.

 
McSorley is 2nd on depth chart.  Full chart here.
 

I'm not going to be surprised when Hackenberg transfers after the season. He's literally getting killed in this system.

 
I would be very surprised.   QBs with  NFL aspirations don't typically lose a season getting there...unless they have proven themselves stellar beforehand.  The OL will be better next year and Hack will  be fine.

 

[canderson]

I would be very surprised.   QBs with  NFL aspirations don't typically lose a season getting there...unless they have proven themselves stellar beforehand.  The OL will be better next year and Hack will  be fine.

But he's probably killing his draft future. The line is likely all to blame but he makes really bad throws more pans more often. He is so incredibly streaky. Donovan's game calling seems really shitty, especially with a pocket passer. I think one of the two are gone.

I'm not sure the line is all that much better next season.

 

[SoxJox]

But he's probably killing his draft future. The line is likely all to blame but he makes really bad throws more pans more often. He is so incredibly streaky. Donovan's game calling seems really shitty, especially with a pocket passer. I think one of the two are gone.

I'm not sure the line is all that much better next season.

Good point.  I could definitely see Donovan being out, although he and Franklin have a relationship that started at Vanderbilt.  But it's not one that goes way back.  Interesting that Donovan and Bill O'Brien were both on George O'Leary's staff at GA Tech.

 

[SoxJox]

Of course, if Donovan goes it means Hackenberg would be left to learn his 3rd offense in as many years.

 

[Fred in Lynn]

They have to do something to shorten the time from snap to release. The combination of the inexperienced QB/poor quality OL/confused scheme isn't cutting it. I'm no coordinator (clearly; I'm posting here instead of reviewing film for my job right now), but it seems they're not playing to their strengths and leave their weaknesses exposed. Routes too long, underutiziled TEs, no running game despite decent RBs. Having Diffenbach and now Smith out doesn't help (all the more reason to question the play calling).

 

[WayBackVazquez]

They have to do something to shorten the time from snap to release. The combination of the inexperienced QB/poor quality OL/confused scheme isn't cutting it.

Colleg QBs with 20 starts are not inexperienced.

 

[Fred in Lynn]

Colleg QBs with 20 starts are not inexperienced.

"College" is spelled with an "e".

 

[sfip]

3-star QB recruit and dual threat Tommy Stevens decommits from Indiana to Penn State.

 

[canderson]

Can he start vs Temple?

 

[SoxJox]

This is a very pleasant surprise.  I actually believe this is the QB profile that Franklin prefers: a mobile but capable passer.  Someone who can make things happen with his feet when there's an opening or the pocket collapses.  Someone whose mobility lends itself more to a motion and read-style offense.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU8QtQjc1fY

 

[canderson]

Franklin's offense is definitely intended for a mobile QB, Hackenberg being a pure pocket passer isn't a fit whatsoever. Combined with the link eand his 35! sacks in the B1G, yeah.
 
I'm really not going to be surprised at all if he and his dad announce they're transfering.

 

[Infield Infidel]

Bowl eligible, pretty great achievement considering they have <50 scholarship players. 

 

[terrynever]

As bad as their offense has been, this team has only lost one game by more than 7 points (Northwestern). One-point loss to Terps, five at Mchigan, seven in the OT game with Ohio state. One of the best defenses ever at PSU, or maybe the Big Ten just really sucks (more likely).

I could see them finishing 8-4 with a miracle win over MSU. Need some really nasty weather for that home finale.

 

[canderson]

Hackenberg continues his regression, unfortunately.

 

[SoxJox]

He'll probably be fine.  It was subtle but noticeable...the return of Smith and DIeffenbach to the OL allowed them to run successfully and more often.  While this didn't eliminate pressure on the QB completely, Hackenberg was at least not under duress as much as in earlier games.  Still, his passing mechanics have indeed regressed.  I attribute a lot of this to the yips in the wake of being sacked now 30+ times.  Of course, my incisively trained eye  :nerd:  tells me at least a third of these could have been avoided if Hackenberg had just thrown the ball away.    I think too that he can be more  successful just tucking the ball and running.  I mean, I don't want to see him getting hit - but he's a big boy.
 
A change in QB coaches wouldn't hurt.  I think given the struggles of the offense, we're going to see just how great Franklin's stated loyalty is to his staff.

 

[sfip]

DT Adam McLean decommits from Penn State.

 

[canderson]

Buddy who follows recruiting for Rivals said that's probably a two way decommitment. Said he's an academic nightmare.

Still, they've lost 5 recruits recently and I'd think more follow.

 

[canderson]

Worst loss in how many year/decades?

 

[Fred in Lynn]

Would it be possible to just send the defense to a bowl game? This offense is historically bad. Today I was longing for the golden era of Robert Bolden.

 

[canderson]

Would it be possible to just send the defense to a bowl game? This offense is historically bad. Today I was longing for the golden era of Robert Bolden.

Next year you get a new QB, we'll see how that goes.

I'm pretty positive Hackenberg transfers, his dad is not a Franklin fan to say the least. (Nor are any
PSU fans)

He is a nit very good coach, it seems, from a tactical standpoint.

 

[Fred in Lynn]

Next year you get a new QB, we'll see how that goes.

I'm pretty positive Hackenberg transfers, his dad is not a Franklin fan to say the least. (Nor are any
PSU fans)

He is a nit very good coach, it seems, from a tactical standpoint.

The offensive scheme is brutal. Galen Hall showed more ingenuity and in-game adaptation. I can only put so much blame on Hackenberg. They're not devising a scheme to help him. When I consider his performance last year and McGloin's in his last year, I deduce that main problem is the staff or system. They have a deep stock of TEs, but the new staff has ceased to use them. They deserve a bit of slack when the depletion of experience on the OL is thrown into the equation, but they're not adjusting. They keep dropping him back 7 steps rather than 3. I don't know, maybe it's just an overall lack of experience. A silver lining is that they're getting a whole ton of scholarships back and only losing a few seniors. Still several years to go.

I agree that their tactical approach stinks. Another game where they didn't try to put the game away offensively.

That last sentence is pretty funny, don't you think?

 

[Fred in Lynn]

Erick Hackenberg says he "won't touch" transfer rumors, then touches it:

http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2014/11/penn_state_quarterback_christi_6.html

 

[sfip]

4-star recruit QB Jake Zembiec commits to Penn State over Michigan State.

 

[canderson]

That's a big deal, now they have 689 QB recruits!

 

[Fred in Lynn]

More OLs and LBs, please.

 

[berniecarbo1]

Hope they go to the Pinstripe Bowl and play Boston College. It would be a good game and good event for both programs.

PSU and BC should get back on each other's schedules again. Good eastern match up. Should play home/home every 4 years.

 

[canderson]

They'll likely face Pitt, which when Pitt wins by 25 Franklin'll hate his life for a while.

PSU needs a lot of help. Their WRs get zero separation. They can't run the ball. Hackenberg put up one of the worst seasons you can find in the FBS. At least the defense is all underclassmen.

 

[SoxJox]

I can only wonder at this point what this off season brings.  Clearly there are holes to be filled on the field - hopefully through development of the current team.  But I have developed doubts about this staff's ability to truly develop the talent they have.  No, I'm not jumping on any "blow-it-up" bandwagon, but not only did I see zero creativity in the offense, I saw almost no ability to adapt - either in or between games.  That does not bode well.
 
On the other hand, this year was always predicted as the one that would hurt most.  That was to [SIZE=14.3999996185303px]be true whether under BO'B or JaFrank.  I just think it's a pretty clear bet that BO'B would have gotten much more out of Hack than Franklin.  I mean - 40+ sacks.  But by my count, at least a third of those were on Hack himself.[/SIZE]
 
And speaking of Hackenberg, [SIZE=14.3999996185303px]I don't think he's [/SIZE][SIZE=14.3999996185303px]going anywhere, but even that may be in doubt.  Who knows?[/SIZE]

 

[sfip]

That's a big deal, now they have 689 QB recruits!

 
I'd say it's a big deal after Brandon Wimbush decommitted.
 

They'll likely face Pitt, which when Pitt wins by 25 Franklin'll hate his life for a while.

PSU needs a lot of help. Their WRs get zero separation. They can't run the ball. Hackenberg put up one of the worst seasons you can find in the FBS. At least the defense is all underclassmen.

 
Pairings for lesser Bowl games typically have teams play against teams with minimal history against each other.

 

[canderson]

The conferences are now completely in complete control of bowl pairings; it'd be an easy way to sell tickets. I think it happens (as do several PSU beat writers).

 

[sfip]

#8 cornerback in the country Garrett Taylor commits to PSU.

 

[Fred in Lynn]

#8 cornerback in the country Garrett Taylor commits to PSU.

I have no idea how to assess the way in which the various recruiting outlets quantify these kids or the quality of their work. For example, 247 has Taylor as a top 100 prospect whereas Scout only has him slotted 30th at his position. Whatever the case, the program sure isn't deficient in the secondary.

 

[SoxJox]

This from Hackenberg following the MSU loss: 
 
He nonetheless said the season has been “the best thing that could possibly happen” to him, and also addressed a report from earlier in the week in which his father, Erick, called any chatter about his son transferring “a lot of conjecture” and “something that doesn’t even need to be talked about at this point.”
“I think you guys were the ones that made that whole thing up (about transferring),” the younger Hackenberg said. “Never had anything set out about that. Moving forward, man. It’s where I’m at. It’s where I want to be. It’s the team that I love, the guys that I love, the university that I love to be at. I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.”
Fair enough, but how can this year be a good thing for anyone, much less Hackenberg?
“Learned a lot,” he said. “Learned a lot about myself. Learned a lot about the game of football -- how to deal with things I didn't have to face, ever, in my entire life, so I think it's something I'm going to look back on and be extremely appreciative of down the road.”

 

[SoxJox]

I have no idea how to assess the way in which the various recruiting outlets quantify these kids or the quality of their work. 

 
Compiled from various sources:
 
       I.          Rivals
Rivals uses a two-prong grading system to rate prospects.  Each player is given 1 to 5 stars based on their talent, size, skill, etc. 
Then each player is given a number that corresponds to how they rank among prospects of the same position nationally.  This helps to differentiate between the quality of players with the same general talent, size, skill, etc.  Rivals has also begun grading players on their expected impact, but it does not actually factor into their over-all prospect grade. 
It is important to note that these rankings are done independently.  One does not have an impact on the other.
A.     Rivals Stars Explained:
A five-star prospect is considered to be one of the nation's top 25-30 players, four star is a top 250-300 or so player, three-stars is a top 750 level player, two stars means the player is a mid-major prospect and one star means the player is not ranked.
5* = Great prospect.  Game ready as a true freshman.  Prospect has the ability to be a difference-maker immediately. 
4* = Very good prospect.  The recruit can contribute as a freshman and be a difference-maker early in his career
3* = Good prospect.  Can contribute to a program and eventually start but still needs some development to be effective. 
2* = Average prospect.  Needs time to develop but has the potential to become a contributor to a program late in their career. 
1* = Evaluation pending/not enough film to evaluate
The base of all of these rankings is a player's skill set.  A highly skilled player can still have a decent star rating, regardless of size.  The inverse is not true.  Rivals will not rank a prospect with poor skills and great size as high. 
That said, Rivals may add or deduct stars based on height, weight, or speed.  Often, the biggest difference between a 3-Star quarterback and a 4-Star quarterback is a couple of inches.  The difference between two physically similar wide receivers could be less than a tenth of a second in the 40. 
While adjusting a player’s stars based on an inch or two, a few pounds, or a couple tenths of a second in the 40 may seem arbitrary, it is very important in projecting a player. 
In a sport dominated by 300 pound lineman, 6'3" receivers, and defensive backs that run sub-4.4 40's, it is hard to really predict which undersized players will have an impact. 
It is usually the 2-star, undersized, less skilled prospects that opponents of recruit-tracking point to.  It is a fact that recruiting services get these wrong from time to time.  One thing to consider is that for every undersized QB like Todd Reesing or Chase Daniel, there are hundreds of similarly sized QB's that never see the field as a starter. 
B.     Rival’s [New] Ranking System (effective 2013 and beyond) Explained:


The ranking system ranks prospects on a numerical scale from 6.1-4.9.[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
·       6.1 Franchise Player; considered one of the elite prospects in the country, generally among the nation's top 25 players overall; deemed to have excellent pro potential; high-major prospect[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
·       6.0-5.8 All-American Candidate; high-major prospect; considered one of the nation's top 300 prospects; deemed to have pro potential and ability to make an impact on college team[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
·       5.7-5.5 All-Region Selection; considered among the region's top prospects and among the top 750 or so prospects in the country; high-to-mid-major prospect; deemed to have pro potential and ability to make an impact on college team[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
·       5.4-5.0 Division I prospect; considered a mid-major prospect; deemed to have limited pro potential but definite Division I prospect; may be more of a role player[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
·       4.9 Sleeper; no Rivals.com expert knew much, if anything, about this player; a prospect that only a college coach really knew about[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
While Rivals may only list the top 100 and show the remaining prospects as NR, they have, in fact, rated every prospect at a given position.  This becomes a factor when ranking classes because not every 3-Star prospect is equal. [SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
     II.          Scout
Scout uses a grading scale to evaluate potential recruits.  Once the prospects have been given their grade, they are assigned stars and positional rankings.  The score on their evaluation determines how many stars that player receives and how that player ranks at their position. 
A.     Scout Grading System Explained


Players are graded based on size, speed, talent, and current skills. 
·       90-100:  Rare prospect.  Player can create mismatches and can have a major impact on the game as a true freshman.
·       80-89:  Outstanding prospect.  Player may be able to create some mismatches against most opponents and could potentially contribute as a true freshman. 
·       70-79:  Good prospect.  Player doesn't dominate in every game, especially against quality competition. Could eventually become a starter. 
·       60-69:  Average prospect. This player is over-matched against the better players in the nation.  Weaknesses will be exposed against tougher competition.  Could develop into a solid contributor on the FBS level. 
·       50-59:  Prospect. Player has some redeeming qualities but is not projected to contribute at the FBS level.
·       45:  Pending prospect with film
·       40:  Pending prospect
Once prospects have been graded, they are assigned stars and positional rankings. 
B.     Scout Stars Explained


While the cut-off for stars can vary from year to year, it generally falls:  
·       90 or more points = 5*
·       80 or more points = 4*
·       70 or more points = 3*
·       60 or more points = 2*
·       < 60 and pending prospects = 1*
Prospects are then placed in order from highest grade to lowest by position.  Positional grades are assigned from high to low.  The recruits are not directly compared and analyzed, only their scores are.
C.    Some more on Scouts:


Team Rankings

Team Rankings are a math formula that based on a player's rating and his ranking. 5-Star is a rating.  No. 1 quarterback is his ranking. 

5 Star = 200 points
4 Star = 120 points
3 Star = 40 points
2 Star = 20 points

The No. 1 player at a position is worth 100 points, counting down to the last ranked player at his position to 0.

For Example, assuming Scout ranks 100 quarterbacks.

5-Star, No. 1 QB = 300 points
4-Star, No. 10 QB = 210 points
3-Star, No. 50 QB = 90 points
2-Star, No. 75 QB = 45 points

The position points are a 100 point sliding scale based on the total number of players ranked. Using the No. 100 for quarterbacks is just an example, very few positions have exactly 100 players ranked. 

The Team Rankings are compiled of the Top 25 players per class. Some teams will over-sign, but only 25 count towards the Team Rankings.

Only players who have been rated count towards the team rankings. Players who have yet to be rated don't towards the average star ranking. In this instance there may be eight players on a commitment list, but if only six are rated, the team rankings will show six commitments until stars are added to the player.[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
 
     III Sports247[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
 
Each recruit we evaluate is assigned a numerical rating as well as a star rating. Ratings are determined by our recruiting analysts after countless hours of personal observations, film evaluation, and input from our network of scouts.[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
Players are first grouped qualitatively with a star rating, then given a numerical rating based on their future potential, and finally ranked according to these numerical ratings.[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
A.                        A. Sports247 Stars Explained[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]


 
·       110 - 101 = Franchise Player. One of the best players to come along in years, if not decades. Odds of having a player in this category every year is slim. This prospect has "can’t miss" talent.[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
·       100 - 98 = 5* prospect. One of the top 30 players in the nation. This player has excellent pro-potential and should emerge as one of the best in the country before the end of his career.[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
·       97 - 90 = 4* prospect. One of the top 300 players in the nation. This prospect will be an impact-player for his college team. He is an All-American candidate who displays pro-potential.[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
·       89 - 80 = 3* prospect. One of the top 10% players in the nation. This player will develop into a reliable starter for his college team and is among the best players in his region of the country.[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
·       79 - below = 2* prospect. This player makes up the bulk of Division I rosters. He may have little pro-potential, but is likely to become a role player for his respective school.[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
 
B.                        B. 247Composite Rating Explained[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]


The 247Composite Rating is a proprietary algorithm that compiles prospect "rankings" and "ratings" listed in the public domain by the major media recruiting services. It converts average industry ranks and ratings into a linear composite index capping at 1.0000, which indicates a consensus No. 1 prospect across all services.[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
 
    III.          IV  ESPN[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]


ESPN uses the same grading scale that Scouts uses, although ESPN does not assign stars.  ESPN evaluates only a fraction of the recruits that Scout and Rivals do.  ESPN uses Scouts' analysis for any player that they are unable to evaluate themselves. 
 
ESPN takes the combined analysis and issues grades, positional rankings, and over-all national rankings independent of Scout.  However, like Scout, prospects are not compared to one another, only their scores are.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/12/03/penn-state-reportedly-sends-jerry-sandusky-letter-to-renew-season-tickets/

 

[Fred in Lynn]

http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2014/12/which_penn_state_true_freshmen.html

Redshirting plans.

 

[spy5007]

Hearing very positive things about their chances to flip 4 Star OT and South Carolina commit Paris Palmer, which would be huge as he would slot in as a starter next year, likely at RT. Also like their chances to close with Christian Wilkins and Shareef Miller, which could propel them to a top 10 class overall--impressive considering their 2-6 embarrassment down the stretch. There is no doubt that Franklin can recruit, and I think with time we will see that he has the ability to coach well too, but given the pieces that are lacking (OT) coupled with their depth issues, I think 2016 is the next realistic chance at a very good team if all goes well (big if).
 
Nice to see a PSU thread on this board along with some fellow alums. Might have to make dropping by a more common occurrence!

 

[Fred in Lynn]

Hearing very positive things about their chances to flip 4 Star OT and South Carolina commit Paris Palmer, which would be huge as he would slot in as a starter next year, likely at RT. Also like their chances to close with Christian Wilkins and Shareef Miller, which could propel them to a top 10 class overall--impressive considering their 2-6 embarrassment down the stretch. There is no doubt that Franklin can recruit, and I think with time we will see that he has the ability to coach well too, but given the pieces that are lacking (OT) coupled with their depth issues, I think 2016 is the next realistic chance at a very good team if all goes well (big if).
 
Nice to see a PSU thread on this board along with some fellow alums. Might have to make dropping by a more common occurrence!

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