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Interesting that he mentions Manny at LB. Cooper was not mentioned nor was Farmer, but I think none of us is worried about Koa. Seems like Cooper just hasn't developed yet.
And this is based on what?
Mostly media rumblings since camp started. I also recently read that Johnson had been running with the ones as of the first week of camp, although I can't seem to find the story now. I'll post if it pops up.
From Pennlive:
"Farmer and Brown look likely to be two of the three starters, with Bowen, Luketa, and Parsons among others from the scholarship fighting for the third first-team spot. It seems likely, however, that walk-on Jan Johnson might complete the trio as the middle linebacker on Sept. 1 when the season begins against Appalachian State."
From BSD:
"...but given his strong start and Penn State’s history at the position, don’t be surprised to see No. 36 take the field with the first-team defense on Sept. 1."
Again, these are just "reports" coming out of very short segments of practice where the media has limited access. Nothing concrete at all, just some things I've been reading over the past couple of days.
My opinion means nothing but wouldn't it make sense to throw one of the young guys in there from the start (Parsons, Luketa, Brooks)? Let them take their bumps against the easier portion of the schedule in hopes that they would learn a lot and be ready to go by September's end. It just seems counterintuitive to waste game reps on a somewhat known commodity (low ceiling) when you could prep a younger talent with a much higher ceiling.
We'll see, Coach knows what he is doing.
App State isn't the joke some may think they are. Those guys will get reps in time though. If Brandon Smith was here as a former walk on, would you be questioning him playing over them? Jan Johnson has been there a few years and knows the system. Not to mention this staff has shown time and time again they'll play anyone regardless of the class when they feel they are ready. I don't even bother to question it anymore because is pretty silly to at this point. If you run faster to the wrong spot, does it make you a better LB? If you're the MLB and make the wrong call, but can jump higher, does it help? These are things that coaches look at that fans tend not to.Mostly media rumblings since camp started. I also recently read that Johnson had been running with the ones as of the first week of camp, although I can't seem to find the story now. I'll post if it pops up.
From Pennlive:
"Farmer and Brown look likely to be two of the three starters, with Bowen, Luketa, and Parsons among others from the scholarship fighting for the third first-team spot. It seems likely, however, that walk-on Jan Johnson might complete the trio as the middle linebacker on Sept. 1 when the season begins against Appalachian State."
From BSD:
"...but given his strong start and Penn State’s history at the position, don’t be surprised to see No. 36 take the field with the first-team defense on Sept. 1."
Again, these are just "reports" coming out of very short segments of practice where the media has limited access. Nothing concrete at all, just some things I've been reading over the past couple of days.
My opinion means nothing but wouldn't it make sense to throw one of the young guys in there from the start (Parsons, Luketa, Brooks)? Let them take their bumps against the easier portion of the schedule in hopes that they would learn a lot and be ready to go by September's end. It just seems counterintuitive to waste game reps on a somewhat known commodity (low ceiling) when you could prep a younger talent with a much higher ceiling.
We'll see, Coach knows what he is doing.
I’d be pretty surprised if Sanders comes back next year. I think he, Johnson and Miller are pretty sure-fire early entry guys if they have anything close to the seasons that they’re projected to have in 2018.Nice look at the depth chart during Fall practice. Makes me realize that with Allen and Thomas gone after this season, I believe there is a 99% chance CJF will take 2 RB's in the 2019 class.......... Just can not see him going into 2019 with at most 4 RB's on the roster (assuming Sanders comes back for his 4th year)
App State isn't the joke some may think they are. Those guys will get reps in time though. If Brandon Smith was here as a former walk on, would you be questioning him playing over them? Jan Johnson has been there a few years and knows the system. Not to mention this staff has shown time and time again they'll play anyone regardless of the class when they feel they are ready. I don't even bother to question it anymore because is pretty silly to at this point. If you run faster to the wrong spot, does it make you a better LB? If you're the MLB and make the wrong call, but can jump higher, does it help? These are things that coaches look at that fans tend not to.
Listen, I get it that walk-ons can turn into great players and his name being mentioned is a testament to hard work. This isn't meant to be a knock on the kid at all. And again, this is all just MY OPINION. If Franklin truly has the trust in a walk-on who has rarely touched the field in 4 years, then so be it.
But let's be real for a moment. Will Bama, OSU, Clemson, Georgia, etc. be rolling out a Jan Johnson as their starting MLB? How long has he been in the program? And the only other time we've heard his name was during the 2016 Michigan game when we lost 5 LBers to injury that were ahead of him on the depth chart? Is he being mentioned only because we are extremely thin/inexperienced at MLB?
IMO, we won't go where we all want this team to go if Jan Johnson is the starting MLB this season. I like the idea of letting a younger, talented player grow into the position because his ceiling is much higher.
Who do you want covering JK Dobbins on a passing route on a crucial 3rd and 4? Spying Dwayne Haskins? Jan Johnson or Micah Parsons?
Listen, I get it that walk-ons can turn into great players and his name being mentioned is a testament to hard work. This isn't meant to be a knock on the kid at all. And again, this is all just MY OPINION. If Franklin truly has the trust in a walk-on who has rarely touched the field in 4 years, then so be it.
But let's be real for a moment. Will Bama, OSU, Clemson, Georgia, etc. be rolling out a Jan Johnson as their starting MLB? How long has he been in the program? And the only other time we've heard his name was during the 2016 Michigan game when we lost 5 LBers to injury that were ahead of him on the depth chart? Is he being mentioned only because we are extremely thin/inexperienced at MLB?
IMO, we won't go where we all want this team to go if Jan Johnson is the starting MLB this season. I like the idea of letting a younger, talented player grow into the position because his ceiling is much higher.
Who do you want covering JK Dobbins on a passing route on a crucial 3rd and 4? Spying Dwayne Haskins? Jan Johnson or Micah Parsons?
I like the idea of letting a younger, talented player grow into the position because his ceiling is much higher.
I wasn't asking why you think Johnson will play. I was asking on what you were basing your claim that if he does play that the defense won't be good. Not sure how any of us can know what Johnson can do because we haven't seen him. The coaches have. And if they think he's a better option at this point than a freshman I'm not sure what sense it makes to question it and, indirectly at least, disparage the kid.
It may not be all that common, but there have been instances of walk-ons being big starting contributors on potential national championship teams. Clay Matthews at USC is a great example.
If the coaching staff feel that he is the best option there to begin the season, then I will trust them with that decision making. I remember hearing a lot of this stuff about Josh Hull as well, and I'd say that worked out well for PSU.
With Zembiec hanging up his cleats, I wonder if either Jan Johnson or Zach Simpson get a scholarship ?I posted this on TOS, but Johnson was a 2 time state wrestling champion in PA, played both ways in HS and made the Big 33 team. He accounted for over 5000 yards of offense in HS and lettered in track and lacrosse as well. He had other offers, but decided to walk on at PSU. This isn’t the usual walk-on. I would bet there are very few scholarship players on the team who had better prep careers than Johnson.
The other thing is.....they are going to play. Penn State is going to rotate ~6 defensive ends, ~5 defensive tackles, at least 6 linebackers, 3 or 4 safeties, 4-6 cornerbacks. We're talking all game, 1st quarter, etc. We play a ton of guys. If Johnson struggles, and someone else plays better at Mike, the coaches will see it. People get too caught up in who is starting Game 1. Unless you are at quarterback or offensive line, for the most part, there is going to be a rotation.
Clemson’s Hunter Renfro caught the winning TD when Clemson beat Bama in 2017 Championship Game. He was a walk on. All programs have them. Nebraska always had walk one step up in their “glory years”.Listen, I get it that walk-ons can turn into great players and his name being mentioned is a testament to hard work. This isn't meant to be a knock on the kid at all. And again, this is all just MY OPINION. If Franklin truly has the trust in a walk-on who has rarely touched the field in 4 years, then so be it.
But let's be real for a moment. Will Bama, OSU, Clemson, Georgia, etc. be rolling out a Jan Johnson as their starting MLB? How long has he been in the program? And the only other time we've heard his name was during the 2016 Michigan game when we lost 5 LBers to injury that were ahead of him on the depth chart? Is he being mentioned only because we are extremely thin/inexperienced at MLB?
IMO, we won't go where we all want this team to go if Jan Johnson is the starting MLB this season. I like the idea of letting a younger, talented player grow into the position because his ceiling is much higher.
Who do you want covering JK Dobbins on a passing route on a crucial 3rd and 4? Spying Dwayne Haskins? Jan Johnson or Micah Parsons?
App State isn't the joke some may think they are. Those guys will get reps in time though. If Brandon Smith was here as a former walk on, would you be questioning him playing over them? Jan Johnson has been there a few years and knows the system. Not to mention this staff has shown time and time again they'll play anyone regardless of the class when they feel they are ready. I don't even bother to question it anymore because is pretty silly to at this point. If you run faster to the wrong spot, does it make you a better LB? If you're the MLB and make the wrong call, but can jump higher, does it help? These are things that coaches look at that fans tend not to.
Clemson’s Hunter Renfro caught the winning TD when Clemson beat Bama in 2017 Championship Game. He was a walk on. All programs have them. Nebraska always had walk one step up in their “glory years”.
I posted this on TOS, but Johnson was a 2 time state wrestling champion in PA, played both ways in HS and made the Big 33 team. He accounted for over 5000 yards of offense in HS and lettered in track and lacrosse as well. He had other offers, but decided to walk on at PSU. This isn’t the usual walk-on. I would bet there are very few scholarship players on the team who had better prep careers than Johnson.
I’d be pretty surprised if Sanders comes back next year. I think he, Johnson and Miller are pretty sure-fire early entry guys if they have anything close to the seasons that they’re projected to have in 2018.
Geary.Exactly, Johnson is an elite athlete. He's not some IM football player they plucked out of Porter Hall.
It's clear from this clip that the offensive line can't block, the defensive line can't tackle, and the running backs are always getting stuffed at the line of scrimmage and can't break tackles. Definitely going to be a long season.
App State isn't the joke some may think they are. Those guys will get reps in time though
Yep and people will freak out if it isn't 52-0 like they always do.I had not looked at App St. but they are two time Sun Belt champions and destroyed Toldeo 34-0 in Dollar bowl. Not a walk-over. Luckily they lost a ton of the team including 4 year starter at QB, two OL and most LBs. Still, they return pretty stout DL and secondary. This is a good opener for us. The team will get popped and have to struggle for yards. I don't expect a blowout. Possibly low scoring game going into half. Our young LBs will face good RB but raw QB. Should eventually swing to our favor by 3rd qtr.
Wait...we had some pretty good players come from Porter!Exactly, Johnson is an elite athlete. He's not some IM football player they plucked out of Porter Hall.