It is hard for me to believe, but Penn State's 2017 spring practice is just eight days away. It's scheduled to begin Wednesday [March 22] in the afternoon and conclude with the Blue White Game at 3:30 PM on Saturday, April 22.
With that being the case there is a lot to discuss regarding the Penn State football program. One of the biggest questions of spring practice is the makeup of Penn State's starting offensive line. Will Brendan Mahon [6-4, 320] fully participate in spring practice? Next to who is the leading candidate to replace Chris Godwin at wide receiver, Mahon's presence for spring practice just might be the No. 1 focus of Penn State fans. Mahon's presence will go a long way in determining where players like Ryan Bates [6-4, 305], Connor McGovern [6-5, 310] and Steven Gonzalez [6-4, 334] start taking reps along the offensive line at the beginning of spring practice.
Even though Coach Franklin recently said that Penn State will enter spring practice 3-deep on offense at every position, the overall health of Mahon and fellow senior OT Andrew Nelson will go a long way in determining the makeup of the first team offensive line in spring practice. Will redshirt freshman Michal Menet [6-4, 302] get the first shot at winning Brian Gaia's vacated starting center position? With Nelson most likely not participating in spring practice will Chasz Wright [6-7, 342] begin spring practice as the No. 1 RT? How have Rs.Fr. OTs Will Fries [6-6, 295] and Alex Gellerstedt [6-6, 297] progressed? Is this a make or break spring practice session for Sterling Jenkins [6-8, 328]?
On defense are Rs.So. Shareef Miller [6-5, 255] and Ryan Buchholz [6-6, 275] ready to join Torrence Brown [6-3, 257] to give Penn State a solid 3-man rotation at DE following the departure of Garrett Sickles and Evan Schwan? Will Rs.Fr. DE Shane Simmons [6-3, 245] show in spring practice he's ready for prime time contributions this fall at the weakside DE position? Has Cameron Brown [6-5, 215] added the 15 to 20 pounds needed for him to be a leading contender to start and become an every down performer at the Will OLB position? Who will replace Malik Golden at the starting strong safety [SS] spot in the secondary?
These are just a few of the questions Coach Franklin and his staff will be looking for answers in Penn State's spring practice session that begins in eight days [March 22].
Also, recruiting is going great guns. Rivals still has Penn State's class of 2018 ranked No.1 in the country and doesn't seem to be slowing down at all. Never seen Penn State involved with this many blue-chip four-star players at this early date in the recruiting process. I believe Penn State has more than a realistic chance of recruiting one of the top 10 or top five classes in the country for the class of 2018.
So, as you can see there is plenty to talk about surrounding the Penn State football program. Join me here in the Lions Den at 1 PM tomorrow [Wednesday] afternoon and let's talk some Penn State football.
With that being the case there is a lot to discuss regarding the Penn State football program. One of the biggest questions of spring practice is the makeup of Penn State's starting offensive line. Will Brendan Mahon [6-4, 320] fully participate in spring practice? Next to who is the leading candidate to replace Chris Godwin at wide receiver, Mahon's presence for spring practice just might be the No. 1 focus of Penn State fans. Mahon's presence will go a long way in determining where players like Ryan Bates [6-4, 305], Connor McGovern [6-5, 310] and Steven Gonzalez [6-4, 334] start taking reps along the offensive line at the beginning of spring practice.
Even though Coach Franklin recently said that Penn State will enter spring practice 3-deep on offense at every position, the overall health of Mahon and fellow senior OT Andrew Nelson will go a long way in determining the makeup of the first team offensive line in spring practice. Will redshirt freshman Michal Menet [6-4, 302] get the first shot at winning Brian Gaia's vacated starting center position? With Nelson most likely not participating in spring practice will Chasz Wright [6-7, 342] begin spring practice as the No. 1 RT? How have Rs.Fr. OTs Will Fries [6-6, 295] and Alex Gellerstedt [6-6, 297] progressed? Is this a make or break spring practice session for Sterling Jenkins [6-8, 328]?
On defense are Rs.So. Shareef Miller [6-5, 255] and Ryan Buchholz [6-6, 275] ready to join Torrence Brown [6-3, 257] to give Penn State a solid 3-man rotation at DE following the departure of Garrett Sickles and Evan Schwan? Will Rs.Fr. DE Shane Simmons [6-3, 245] show in spring practice he's ready for prime time contributions this fall at the weakside DE position? Has Cameron Brown [6-5, 215] added the 15 to 20 pounds needed for him to be a leading contender to start and become an every down performer at the Will OLB position? Who will replace Malik Golden at the starting strong safety [SS] spot in the secondary?
These are just a few of the questions Coach Franklin and his staff will be looking for answers in Penn State's spring practice session that begins in eight days [March 22].
Also, recruiting is going great guns. Rivals still has Penn State's class of 2018 ranked No.1 in the country and doesn't seem to be slowing down at all. Never seen Penn State involved with this many blue-chip four-star players at this early date in the recruiting process. I believe Penn State has more than a realistic chance of recruiting one of the top 10 or top five classes in the country for the class of 2018.
So, as you can see there is plenty to talk about surrounding the Penn State football program. Join me here in the Lions Den at 1 PM tomorrow [Wednesday] afternoon and let's talk some Penn State football.
