You’re right! Every time I think about the 2016/2017 run, I think to myself, “thank god for Bill O’Brien, the coach 100% responsible for recruiting the quarterback on those teams, Trace McSorley.” When I watch the 2016 OSU win or the B1G championship, I can’t help but think, “where would Penn State be if Bill O’Brien hadn’t recruited Grant Haley?” Every time I see a recruit mentioning Saquon Barkley I think, “blessings to OB for securing the services of Saquon Barkley, who famously committed to Penn State, and not Rutgers, when OB was our coach.”
Sorry, Trace was a bit player in 2016 and 2017. His play (and Brent Pry) are what cost us the playoffs both years. The only time his play impacted a game either year was in losses. The fact of the matter is, Grant Haley was the only key player on those teams that was a Franklin recruit. The rest, including Barkley were O'Brien targets. If O'Brien hadn't targeted Barkley, he never would have been a Penn Stater because Franklin and his staff do not recruit his school because they don't produce enough prospects.