I was looking over our recruiting the last couple years and it struck me, the 2015 class has the real potential to be one of the best I’ve seen in a number of years. It seems every year we take somewhere between 15 and 25 kids, give or take, and, given the number of starting positions available, maybe about half contribute in any kind of meaningful way... then I went down the list of 2015 recruits and thought “wow”, this could be special. In case folks don’t remember, here’s the list:
1. Saquon Barkley: Need I say anything about Mr. Barkley?
2. Ryan Bates: Projected starting left guard in 16’
3. Manny Bowen: I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t provide meaningful depth this year and wind up a starter in 17’
4. Nick Bowers: a bit more of an unknown at this time.
5. Ryan Buchholz: A RS frosh in 16’, expecting him to provide meaningful depth at DE.
6. Kamonte Carter: Got himself kicked off the team.
7. Irvin Charles: Wil be very surprised if he doesn’t wind up being a major contributor in his PSU career.
8. Jake Cooper: Already was pressed into the starting lineup his freshman year, will provide quality depth in 16’ and is a likely starter in 17’.
9. Kevin Givens: Biggest surprise at DT this past Spring, expected to be a part of the DT rotation this upcoming season
10. Steven Gonzalez: Projected as one of the 4 guys at guard; can’t see him not contributing in his career.
11. Jonathan Holland: jury is still out.
12. Sterling Jenkins: Likely on the 2 deep this year and a starter at some point in the future.
13. Juwan Johnson: Another WR who will very likely be a major contributor while at Penn State.
14. Daquain Kelly: thrown off the team before ever playing a game at PSU.
15. Jarvis Miller: Hearing good things but not sure what role he’ll play- based on early reports, though, I’d expect him to contribute.
16. Shareef Miller: Expected to provide depth in 16’.
17. Ayron Monroe: Almost burned his RS last year; expect him to add depth at safety this year and is likely to contribute during his career.
18. Paris Palmer: started at times last year, in a battle to start at RT this upcoming season- he’s one of those guys who will be remembered for making the entire line better, imo.
19. John Petrishen: Jury still out.
20. Brandon Polk: Already played, and started, at WR as a true frosh.
21. John Reed: Outstanding freshman year at CB, expected to start in 16’.
22. Andre Robinson: Expected to be part of the RB stable this year.
23. Tommy Stevens: In the battle for the starting job but I’m betting he’s the backup. Circumstances, not ability, may prevent him from ever contributing at PSU. McSorley, if we wins the job, will be the likely starter the next 3 years. Then with guys like Zembiec and Clifford coming in, he could conceiveably get caught up in teh shuffle... and then again, McSorley goes down and Stevens steps in, steps up, and he’s the starter for the next 3 plus years.
24. Garrett Taylor: Some are predicting he’ll be the biggest surprise of the 16’ season. Fully recovered from his knee injury and was once a 5* prospect who was downgraded due to the injury. Will be very surprised if he doesn’t play a major role at Penn State during his career.
25. Robert Windsor: Wil be the next lower rated DT at Penn State to have a very successful career. All the reports are that we got an “under the radar” steal.
That’s a pretty good list of players we got in 2015. Barring injuries, a good number are very likely to play a major role during their Penn State careers... obviously, time will tell, but it’s kinda cool to look at what’s out there and what we have likely in store in the future. Admittedly, some of this can be attributed to the sanctions and the number of openings we had on our roster, but I wouldn't sell these kids short by suggesting the only reason they'll contribute is because there were openings, I think these kids have talent and would have been fighting for, and earning, starting jobs anyway.
1. Saquon Barkley: Need I say anything about Mr. Barkley?
2. Ryan Bates: Projected starting left guard in 16’
3. Manny Bowen: I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t provide meaningful depth this year and wind up a starter in 17’
4. Nick Bowers: a bit more of an unknown at this time.
5. Ryan Buchholz: A RS frosh in 16’, expecting him to provide meaningful depth at DE.
6. Kamonte Carter: Got himself kicked off the team.
7. Irvin Charles: Wil be very surprised if he doesn’t wind up being a major contributor in his PSU career.
8. Jake Cooper: Already was pressed into the starting lineup his freshman year, will provide quality depth in 16’ and is a likely starter in 17’.
9. Kevin Givens: Biggest surprise at DT this past Spring, expected to be a part of the DT rotation this upcoming season
10. Steven Gonzalez: Projected as one of the 4 guys at guard; can’t see him not contributing in his career.
11. Jonathan Holland: jury is still out.
12. Sterling Jenkins: Likely on the 2 deep this year and a starter at some point in the future.
13. Juwan Johnson: Another WR who will very likely be a major contributor while at Penn State.
14. Daquain Kelly: thrown off the team before ever playing a game at PSU.
15. Jarvis Miller: Hearing good things but not sure what role he’ll play- based on early reports, though, I’d expect him to contribute.
16. Shareef Miller: Expected to provide depth in 16’.
17. Ayron Monroe: Almost burned his RS last year; expect him to add depth at safety this year and is likely to contribute during his career.
18. Paris Palmer: started at times last year, in a battle to start at RT this upcoming season- he’s one of those guys who will be remembered for making the entire line better, imo.
19. John Petrishen: Jury still out.
20. Brandon Polk: Already played, and started, at WR as a true frosh.
21. John Reed: Outstanding freshman year at CB, expected to start in 16’.
22. Andre Robinson: Expected to be part of the RB stable this year.
23. Tommy Stevens: In the battle for the starting job but I’m betting he’s the backup. Circumstances, not ability, may prevent him from ever contributing at PSU. McSorley, if we wins the job, will be the likely starter the next 3 years. Then with guys like Zembiec and Clifford coming in, he could conceiveably get caught up in teh shuffle... and then again, McSorley goes down and Stevens steps in, steps up, and he’s the starter for the next 3 plus years.
24. Garrett Taylor: Some are predicting he’ll be the biggest surprise of the 16’ season. Fully recovered from his knee injury and was once a 5* prospect who was downgraded due to the injury. Will be very surprised if he doesn’t play a major role at Penn State during his career.
25. Robert Windsor: Wil be the next lower rated DT at Penn State to have a very successful career. All the reports are that we got an “under the radar” steal.
That’s a pretty good list of players we got in 2015. Barring injuries, a good number are very likely to play a major role during their Penn State careers... obviously, time will tell, but it’s kinda cool to look at what’s out there and what we have likely in store in the future. Admittedly, some of this can be attributed to the sanctions and the number of openings we had on our roster, but I wouldn't sell these kids short by suggesting the only reason they'll contribute is because there were openings, I think these kids have talent and would have been fighting for, and earning, starting jobs anyway.
