Coach Pry told BWI in an interview back in June, that what he liked the most about Penn State's defense for the upcoming 2019 was its combination of athleticism, length and explosive speed to the ball.
That is why it caught my attention when Tariq Castro-Fields when asked about the development of Penn State freshman CB Joey Porter Jr. [6-2, 180], he immediately laughed and mentioned the fact Porter Jr. had 34-inch arms. "With those 34-inch arms, he makes everything look so easy."
When the 14 members of Penn State's class of 2019 arrived on Penn State's campus in late June, I immediately heard that Porter Jr. was the one from that 14-member group that was the most surprising to the Penn State coaching staff. What first came out of summer camp regarding Porter Jr. was the fact he possessed better than expected 40-yard speed being clocked at 4.46 and 4.45 40-yard times.
The fact Porter Jr. checked in at 6-2, 185 caught the coaches attention because everyone knows who listens closely to what Coach Franklin says about CBs and him wanting Penn State's CBs to have length--standing 6-foot or taller--it really caught my attention when Castro-Fields mentioned the fact Porter Jr. had 34-inch arms. You talk about Porter Jr. having impressive length to play the CB position. His 34-inch arms provide Porter Jr. with an extra special length dimension to play the CB position.
Not bragging about my own personal size being 6-3 3/4, but all my life people have commented to me about the long arms I have. My arms are 32-inches long. Unless you've played sports on a regular basis, you might not fully understand how much of an advantage having 34-inch arms can help Porter Jr. Those 34-inch arms are usually reserved for a player that stands 6-foot-5 or taller.
When you hear Coach Pry and Coach Franklin talk about the length Penn State's 2019 defense has, they are talking about much more than a particular player's height. Wingspan and arm length are just as important critical factors in a player's playing length dimension.
That is why it caught my attention when Tariq Castro-Fields when asked about the development of Penn State freshman CB Joey Porter Jr. [6-2, 180], he immediately laughed and mentioned the fact Porter Jr. had 34-inch arms. "With those 34-inch arms, he makes everything look so easy."
When the 14 members of Penn State's class of 2019 arrived on Penn State's campus in late June, I immediately heard that Porter Jr. was the one from that 14-member group that was the most surprising to the Penn State coaching staff. What first came out of summer camp regarding Porter Jr. was the fact he possessed better than expected 40-yard speed being clocked at 4.46 and 4.45 40-yard times.
The fact Porter Jr. checked in at 6-2, 185 caught the coaches attention because everyone knows who listens closely to what Coach Franklin says about CBs and him wanting Penn State's CBs to have length--standing 6-foot or taller--it really caught my attention when Castro-Fields mentioned the fact Porter Jr. had 34-inch arms. You talk about Porter Jr. having impressive length to play the CB position. His 34-inch arms provide Porter Jr. with an extra special length dimension to play the CB position.
Not bragging about my own personal size being 6-3 3/4, but all my life people have commented to me about the long arms I have. My arms are 32-inches long. Unless you've played sports on a regular basis, you might not fully understand how much of an advantage having 34-inch arms can help Porter Jr. Those 34-inch arms are usually reserved for a player that stands 6-foot-5 or taller.
When you hear Coach Pry and Coach Franklin talk about the length Penn State's 2019 defense has, they are talking about much more than a particular player's height. Wingspan and arm length are just as important critical factors in a player's playing length dimension.
