Football Ask The Staff -- Wednesday Edition

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

Thought we start the first Wednesday of the offseason off on the right foot. Feel free to ask any questions for Happy Valley Insider’s staff members post your questions about the team, recruiting, or anything else in this thread below.

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[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

How does PSU decide which players get NIL money/how much they get?

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

How does PSU decide which players get NIL money/how much they get?

I'm not privy to how Penn State does it specifically but for most schools, it comes down to the relative impact they believe that player makes / will make / their role within the team and then a lot of it for bigger schools is based on market value and then all relative too how much NIL you actually have. It's why a lot of schools are hiring "GMs" these days, the amount of NIL you have is essentially your "salary cap" and you have to figure out how to fit everyone you need to under that limit. I imagine its similar for Penn State.

As we've seen Penn State prefers to commit more money to known quantities (player retention) then trying to commit more money to someone in the portal that may be hit or miss.

 

[SR108]

Does the staff have any faith in any of the young receivers on scholarship?

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

Does the staff have any faith in any of the young receivers on scholarship?

Yes, they're very high on the young receivers and I think our staff here is as well. Denmark has a ton of potential, Gonzalez and Brown do as well. Concerning that Gonzalez has had two big injuries now in three years but the upside remains, Brown has a chance to be what Omari Evans wasn't able to develop into as well.

When it comes to the 2025 guys, Outten is a natural playmaker in my opinion. Think he has a Trey Wallace floor, Koby Howard could develop a nice possession receiver role long term and Lyrick Samuel is kind of the wild card. Came from a run heavy offense so rarely got to show off his talent but if he can develop over the next year or so, has a chance to be really good.

That being said, wide receiver is certainly a concern right now. No one will argue that. I like the additions of Kyron Hudson and Devonte Ross a lot, think they bring a considerably strong floor but the depth in the room is non-existent right now, at least based off collegiate experience and production.

 

[RickinDayton]

Yes, they're very high on the young receivers and I think our staff here is as well. Denmark has a ton of potential, Gonzalez and Brown do as well. Concerning that Gonzalez has had two big injuries now in three years but the upside remains, Brown has a chance to be what Omari Evans wasn't able to develop into as well.

When it comes to the 2025 guys, Outten is a natural playmaker in my opinion. Think he has a Trey Wallace floor, Koby Howard could develop a nice possession receiver role long term and Lyrick Samuel is kind of the wild card. Came from a run heavy offense so rarely got to show off his talent but if he can develop over the next year or so, has a chance to be really good.

That being said, wide receiver is certainly a concern right now. No one will argue that. I like the additions of Kyron Hudson and Devonte Ross a lot, think they bring a considerably strong floor but the depth in the room is non-existent right now, at least based off collegiate experience and production.

So if Gonalez has had all these injuries has he been granted additional years of eligibility?

 

[Little J]

With all the departures and finger pointing at the WR group what is really going on? I refuse to believe the WR group was as inept as some want us to believe. Why hasn't anyone in the press gone out to Fleming and asked for an interview? Questions... was the group (QB included) cohesive - did they have confidence in one another? What was different at PSU Vs OSU? Why does he think the WR are not targeted and are leaving?

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

So if Gonalez has had all these injuries has he been granted additional years of eligibility?

Well only the latest one happened at PSU. He tore his knee as a HS junior and then got hurt again this year.

 

[NittanyChris]

I’m excited about all the returning players but saddened at Kobe King’s departure as he was our best run defender off the LOS. Who is most likely to step in for him? Are the coaches prioritizing the Mike position in the portal? Can Anthony Speca jump in and be a factor early? Thanks.

 

[dukecorey]

Are there any plans to address the holes left at WR and LB with these moves the last few days?

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

With all the departures and finger pointing at the WR group what is really going on? I refuse to believe the WR group was as inept as some want us to believe. Why hasn't anyone in the press gone out to Fleming and asked for an interview? Questions... was the group (QB included) cohesive - did they have confidence in one another? What was different at PSU Vs OSU? Why does he think the WR are not targeted and are leaving?

I think part of the answer is, we won’t know for probably another year right? How do these guys perform at their next stop. I will say, the wide receiver room did consistently struggle at gaining separation and their route running. A lot of it was they simply weren’t good enough, now part of that is on misevaluation, part of that is on a struggle to develop, and part of that is players wanting bad enough. Not pointing fingers to any one player just saying. Fleming is an interesting one, he certainly was open at times but Drew rarely looked his way, Julian is a professional guy too so he’s not going to throw anyone under the bus. I think it’s clear Drew didn’t have a ton of confidence the WR room at times, he trusted Trey a lot but that’s about it.

Ultimately, I think the talent at the position overall was just lacking and Julian didn’t have elite wide receivers him that allowed him to carve out a bigger role in the passing attack.

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

I’m excited about all the returning players but saddened at Kobe King’s departure as he was our best run defender off the LOS. Who is most likely to step in for him? Are the coaches prioritizing the Mike position in the portal? Can Anthony Speca jump in and be a factor early? Thanks.

Are there any plans to address the holes left at WR and LB with these moves the last few days?

Answering these together.

LB - Obviously, there’s a lot to be decided with a new DC coming in. I think JF would like to stay in the 4-2-5 defense if possible. I think they role with what they have into the spring and assess the situation then. The Mike right now would be Anthony Speca or Ta’Mere Robinson in my opinion. A lot on their shoulders if they do. But think they’ll want to keep DeLuca, Rojas, and Wylie where they are. Though Wylie could be a candidate to move to MIKE thanks to his size.

WR - At this point, I don’t see anyone else coming in before spring practices. Semester has already begun, not many notable names left out there. They’ll be looking to add there in the next window though for sure.

 

[bdroc]

I'm not privy to how Penn State does it specifically but for most schools, it comes down to the relative impact they believe that player makes / will make / their role within the team and then a lot of it for bigger schools is based on market value and then all relative too how much NIL you actually have. It's why a lot of schools are hiring "GMs" these days, the amount of NIL you have is essentially your "salary cap" and you have to figure out how to fit everyone you need to under that limit. I imagine its similar for Penn State.

As we've seen Penn State prefers to commit more money to known quantities (player retention) then trying to commit more money to someone in the portal that may be hit or miss.

Can you explain further. NIL was initially supposed to be independent of the university so how can the staff (GM) make decisions about who gets what?

Also, do you have an estimate of how much NIL money PSU football and basketball have to work with?

 

[republion]

A friend of mine gets a burning sensation when he urinates. Coincidentally, he spent a week on a guys trip in Bangkok last month. Two part question-
1- what do you think is causing the burning sensation?
2- do you think my his trip to Bangkok and the burning sensation could be related? 🤔

 

[bdroc]

A friend of mine gets a burning sensation when he urinates. Coincidentally, he spent a week on a guys trip in Bangkok last month.
1- what do you think is causing the burning sensation? 🤔

I can help with this question.

 

[Phil's Rug]

A friend of mine gets a burning sensation when he urinates. Coincidentally, he spent a week on a guys trip in Bangkok last month. Two part question-
1- what do you think is causing the burning sensation?
2- do you think my his trip to Bangkok and the burning sensation could be related? 🤔

Was your "friend" riding a tractor in his bathing suit?

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

Can you explain further. NIL was initially supposed to be independent of the university so how can the staff (GM) make decisions about who gets what?

Also, do you have an estimate of how much NIL money PSU football and basketball have to work with?

1) In simple terms, there really are no rules anymore. The NCAA can't enforce anything, they'd get sued and lose all cases easily.

2) I don't have any general dollar amount if that's what you're asking. They're in a better position, better than where they were not too long ago. I would guess Penn State football is probably in the 12-15 range, a lot of those SEC schools have big-time donors, and Michigan and Ohio State do too. Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Texas, Oregon, USC, LSU, Tennessee are all school I think are probably in front of Penn State right now at least in football. Don't take that as gospel, would just be my projection. Penn State basketball is also doing pretty well for themselves, definitely not at the high end of things but are competitive and should remain competitive.

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

A friend of mine gets a burning sensation when he urinates. Coincidentally, he spent a week on a guys trip in Bangkok last month. Two part question-
1- what do you think is causing the burning sensation?
2- do you think my his trip to Bangkok and the burning sensation could be related? 🤔

I would have your friend consult his doctor.

 

[republion]

Was your "friend" riding a tractor in his bathing suit?

THAT’S the tractor story!?!

 

[SR108]

Any position changes on the horizon?

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

Any position changes on the horizon?

In terms of coaching changes or players switching positions?

 

[SR108]

In terms of coaching changes or players switching positions?

Players

 

[LandoComando]

In terms of coaching changes or players switching positions?

Any chance Haggans doesn't return?

 

[ryoder1]

Any chance they would look at Quinton Martin as a receiver or even Luke Reynolds?

What is the status of Wylie and Fisher?

Who will replace the guys we lost in the secondary?

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

Any chance Haggans doesn't return?

Now that we're almost after the Orange Bowl, I think he may be safe for now. But he's absolutely coaching for his job next fall.

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

Any chance they would look at Quinton Martin as a receiver or even Luke Reynolds?

What is the status of Wylie and Fisher?

Who will replace the guys we lost in the secondary?

1) I do not believe so, no.

2) Not sure on their status for the start of spring practice, believe they should both be back or almost back but barring setbacks both will be ready for August 30.

3) Cam Miller's snaps were going down as the season progressed for the most part. They like what they have at CB. Will see a lot of A.J. Harris, Elliot Washington, Zion Tracy, and Audavion Collins. Wouldn't be surprised to see Kenny Woseley and Jon Mitchell carve out bigger roles. At safety, they'll roll with Zakee Wheatley, DeJuan Lane, King Mack, and then Vaboue Toure / Antoine Belgrave-Shorter could both see bigger roles as well. Could also add another safety via the portal.

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

Players

As of now, nothing seems imminent. Perhaps a DB moves from CB to S or vice versa, or a LION type position in the future. But nothing right now.

 

[fastlax16]

Who are we interested in that may either still be playing or coaching?

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

Who are we interested in that may either still be playing or coaching?

As of now, nobody.

 

[PSU4U]

Any chance they would look at Quinton Martin as a receiver or even Luke Reynolds?

What is the status of Wylie and Fisher?

Who will replace the guys we lost in the secondary?

I had suggested that move in the beginning of this past season. Guy has speed and great moves in the open field. But maybe he wants to be a RB.

 

[ryoder1]

Now that we're almost after the Orange Bowl, I think he may be safe for now. But he's absolutely coaching for his job next fall.

That really surprises me. Not sure he could have any worse results. I guess the bright side is you could say that Franklin and AK must really be high on the two portal guys, Denmark, Gonzalez and the rest of the WR room.

Probably also what is coming into play is we used Warren so much that we didn't really feature or target the WRs so that seems like an excuse that could be saving him.

 

[ryoder1]

I had suggested that move in the beginning of this past season. Guy has speed and great moves in the open field. But maybe he wants to be a RB.

I think that is the case and just forcing him into a new position is a bad move.

 

[Lion_Backer]

I think that is the case and just forcing him into a new position is a bad move.

He definitely played some WR in high school at BV. But he was the superior athlete at that level than virtually anyone that he was competing against. No disrespect intended to the teams and players that he competed against.

 

[GregInPitt]

I think that is the case and just forcing him into a new position is a bad move.

Yep, because it likely wouldn't be forcing him into a new position as much as it would be forcing into the transfer portal....