We all know the obvious ones, but Chester's post about Neal "Charwan" Wood got me thinking about some guys from the 1990's who I thought were just going to kill it at Penn State, but they just didn't for whatever reason. Here's ten that stand out the most to me, thought there are more:
1. Shamar Finney - Really thought that he would be a star at PSU. When Short and Mo Daniels graduated in 1999, really thought that would clear the way for him to become the next great MLB at PSU. Was a huge signing in 98, I still remember Phil's radio show going bezerk the night he committed. So maddeningly inconsistent as a player.
2. Corey Jones - couldn't have been more heralded as a recruit, and though he wasn't a total bust, just had so much trouble with separation and hanging onto the football.
3. Tictus Pettigrew - many of the same characteristics of Jones, but he couldn't hold onto the football either. Moved to safety and was a little more serviceable there, but never really embraced the position, either.
4. Gerald Smith - Looked the part at corner until he got popped in the 2000 Toledo game, and then was never really the same. Played receiver, though was never a real natural one.
5. Bruce Branch - Honestly think he may have been a little underrated as a punt returner, probably becuase he didn't play on very good teams. Never really got it done at receiver, though. Moved to corner and was ok there.
6. Imani Bell - Really thought he would end up being a space eater on those turn of the century teams but never quite got his stuff together, thus having to start a 245 point Matt Fornadel at DT against Mark Renaud and Sedrick Irvin.
7. Damon Troy - Never got his career even off the ground. Dominant high school player in South Jersey though.
8. Jordan Caruso - Played quite a bit, but it always felt like he was playing a few notches below his ceiling. I really thought he was a guy who could have an NFL career but it never quite happened.
9. Joe Dawkins - Still one of the best athletes I have ever witnessed in person. Blazingly fast and shifty, but never really took hold of the physical aspect of college football. Became embroiled in campus social issues and football kind of became a back-burner thing.
10. Neal 'Charwan' Wood - still remember the flashes he showed in the 2000 Purdue game, thought he could be an heir apparent. Just was never quite fully together. Transferred to IUP and played there, but to be honest wasn't even all that great at the D2 level. Played semi-pro for a while, longer than he probably was expected to.
1. Shamar Finney - Really thought that he would be a star at PSU. When Short and Mo Daniels graduated in 1999, really thought that would clear the way for him to become the next great MLB at PSU. Was a huge signing in 98, I still remember Phil's radio show going bezerk the night he committed. So maddeningly inconsistent as a player.
2. Corey Jones - couldn't have been more heralded as a recruit, and though he wasn't a total bust, just had so much trouble with separation and hanging onto the football.
3. Tictus Pettigrew - many of the same characteristics of Jones, but he couldn't hold onto the football either. Moved to safety and was a little more serviceable there, but never really embraced the position, either.
4. Gerald Smith - Looked the part at corner until he got popped in the 2000 Toledo game, and then was never really the same. Played receiver, though was never a real natural one.
5. Bruce Branch - Honestly think he may have been a little underrated as a punt returner, probably becuase he didn't play on very good teams. Never really got it done at receiver, though. Moved to corner and was ok there.
6. Imani Bell - Really thought he would end up being a space eater on those turn of the century teams but never quite got his stuff together, thus having to start a 245 point Matt Fornadel at DT against Mark Renaud and Sedrick Irvin.
7. Damon Troy - Never got his career even off the ground. Dominant high school player in South Jersey though.
8. Jordan Caruso - Played quite a bit, but it always felt like he was playing a few notches below his ceiling. I really thought he was a guy who could have an NFL career but it never quite happened.
9. Joe Dawkins - Still one of the best athletes I have ever witnessed in person. Blazingly fast and shifty, but never really took hold of the physical aspect of college football. Became embroiled in campus social issues and football kind of became a back-burner thing.
10. Neal 'Charwan' Wood - still remember the flashes he showed in the 2000 Purdue game, thought he could be an heir apparent. Just was never quite fully together. Transferred to IUP and played there, but to be honest wasn't even all that great at the D2 level. Played semi-pro for a while, longer than he probably was expected to.
