1] I was really impressed with what Coach Franklin had to say about Penn State's starting slot-WR Fr. Parker Washington [5-10, 205], it totally coincided with what I stated about Washington in BWI the Magazine Special Recruiting Issue back in February. Here is what I wrote about Washington in our recruiting issue back in February:
"Watching video from Washington's senior season, I was tremendously impressed with his ability to gain yards after the catch. He essentially becomes a running back, juking away from tacklers in the open field. Washington runs very precise routes, has a great pair of hands and boasts explosive speed. The fact that he was used at quarterback in the wildcat formation illustrates his running instincts. I expect him to play the slot-WR position at Penn State and to potentially to be used as a ball carrier on jet sweeps and reverses in addition to his receiving duties. Washington is also an excellent return specialist. With K.J. Hamler having moved to the NFL, he may vie for playing time returning punts and kickoffs."
Both Washington and Keandre Lambert-Smith [6-1, 185 will have an immediate impact on Penn State's passing game starting with the Saturday's opener against Indiana.
2] What really caught be by surprise was the fact Fr. 3-technique DT Hakeem Beamon [6-3, 292] was listed as the second-team 3-technique DT behind P.J. Mustipher [6-4, 300]. But I guess that was a mistake on my part because I was told by no less than four contacts that Beamon had the best winter workout session of anyone on Penn State's defense and was Penn State's most improved player on defense. From what I'm now hearing about Beamon is that he has definitely secured the No. 2 backup position behind Mustipher, but when Penn State utilizes to a very limited degree its 3-3-5 defensive alignment on third down and long passing situations, Beamon will be positioned at the strongside DE position in that tree-man defensive line setup.
Interesting that Judge Culpepper [6-4, 292] is listed as the third team i-technique DT behind Antonio Shelton [6-2, 327] and Fred Hansard [6-3, 324].
3] Also took notice of the fact that Rs.Fr. Dvon Ellies [6-1, 296] was listed at third-team 3-technique DT with Fr. Coziah Izzard [6-3, 290] right behind Ellies at fourth-team 3-technique DT. Izzard is also one of the freshmen who made a big impression in preseason practice and will get more than a limited amount of reps this fall. I'm hearing Penn State really loves the depth it has at both DT position, particularly at the 3-technique DT position with Mustipher, Beamon, Ellies and Izzard.
4] I also took notice of the fact that Rs.Jr. Desmond Holmes [6-5, 310] was the No. 1 backup at both the RG and LG positions on the offensive line. It definitely appears that the move from tackle to guard is a permanent move for Holmes. I'm hearing that Holmes for the opener against Indiana on Saturday will be the first offensive guard off the bench and that he's expected to get reps at both offensive guard positions in Saturday's game against Indiana
Also, hearing that one of the biggest competitions throughout the entire 2020 season on offense will be between Sr. Will Fries [6-6, 306] and Rs. Fr. Caedan Wallace [6-5, 313] at the RT position on the field. Fries and Wallace will split time at the RT position on the offensive line and at times when Wallace is on the field at RT, Fries will give a blow to to Rasheed Walker [6-6, 313] at LT. I'm told Penn State believes that Walker has All-Big Ten potential.
5] It seems that Fr. Sam OLB Curtis Jacobs [6-1, 226] has made a big impression in preseason practice. He's No. 2 at the Sam OLB position behind So. Brandon Smith [6-3, 244]. But even more impressive in preseason practice has been Rs.Fr. Lance Dixon [6-2, 225]. He is the No. 2 Will OLB behind Jr. Jesse Luketa [6-3, 242]. I'm hearing that Penn State defensive coordinator, Brent Pry, has been thrilled by Dixon's work in preseason practice. Penn State plans to use Dixon in a number of different ways in a number of different formations [4-3-4, 4-2-5 and 3-3-5] as a normal Will/OLB, as a star hybrid/SS in Penn State's 4-2-5 defensive alignment and as even a field safety in a 3-3-5 defensive alignment. They feel Dixon has the athleticism, size and 4.45 40-yard speed to play all three positions in different Penn state defensive schemes.
6] Earlier this week I listed Joey Porter Jr. [6-2, 193] as my No. 1 breakout player for the 2020 season. Not surprised at all he's listed as the starter against Indiana at the field CB position in the secondary. Also, hearing that So. Keaton Ellis [5-11, 186] will be battling with backup boundary CB So. Marquis Wilson [5-11, 181] for the nickelback position in the secondary when Penn State goes to its 4-2-5 defensive setup in the secondary. As I said yesterday here in the Lions Den, Penn State believes Sr. Tariq Castro-Fields [6-0, 191], Porter Jr., Ellis and Wilson all have a legitimate shot when their Penn State careers are over to play in the NFL.
7] Finally, that brings us to the two safety positions in the secondary. Penn State's safety coach, Tim Banks, believes this is the best depth he's had at Penn State and the big surprise has been JUCO transfer Ji'Ayir Brown [5-11, 206] at the field safety position behind Sr. Lamont Wade [5-9, 191]. But it also has to be mentioned that one of the best position moves that took place over the summer was the move of Sr. Jaquan Brisker [6-1, 210] from the field safety position to the boundary safety position in the secondary. I probably should have listed Brisker as having a breakout season this fall.
That's it for today. What I did in this update was highlight some of the players on offense and defense that had outstanding preseason practice sessions. Even with the losses of AA Will OLB Micah Parsons and possibly All-Big Ten RB Journey Brown for the entire 2020 season, I still think Penn State can compete with Ohio State for the Big Ten East Division title.
"Watching video from Washington's senior season, I was tremendously impressed with his ability to gain yards after the catch. He essentially becomes a running back, juking away from tacklers in the open field. Washington runs very precise routes, has a great pair of hands and boasts explosive speed. The fact that he was used at quarterback in the wildcat formation illustrates his running instincts. I expect him to play the slot-WR position at Penn State and to potentially to be used as a ball carrier on jet sweeps and reverses in addition to his receiving duties. Washington is also an excellent return specialist. With K.J. Hamler having moved to the NFL, he may vie for playing time returning punts and kickoffs."
Both Washington and Keandre Lambert-Smith [6-1, 185 will have an immediate impact on Penn State's passing game starting with the Saturday's opener against Indiana.
2] What really caught be by surprise was the fact Fr. 3-technique DT Hakeem Beamon [6-3, 292] was listed as the second-team 3-technique DT behind P.J. Mustipher [6-4, 300]. But I guess that was a mistake on my part because I was told by no less than four contacts that Beamon had the best winter workout session of anyone on Penn State's defense and was Penn State's most improved player on defense. From what I'm now hearing about Beamon is that he has definitely secured the No. 2 backup position behind Mustipher, but when Penn State utilizes to a very limited degree its 3-3-5 defensive alignment on third down and long passing situations, Beamon will be positioned at the strongside DE position in that tree-man defensive line setup.
Interesting that Judge Culpepper [6-4, 292] is listed as the third team i-technique DT behind Antonio Shelton [6-2, 327] and Fred Hansard [6-3, 324].
3] Also took notice of the fact that Rs.Fr. Dvon Ellies [6-1, 296] was listed at third-team 3-technique DT with Fr. Coziah Izzard [6-3, 290] right behind Ellies at fourth-team 3-technique DT. Izzard is also one of the freshmen who made a big impression in preseason practice and will get more than a limited amount of reps this fall. I'm hearing Penn State really loves the depth it has at both DT position, particularly at the 3-technique DT position with Mustipher, Beamon, Ellies and Izzard.
4] I also took notice of the fact that Rs.Jr. Desmond Holmes [6-5, 310] was the No. 1 backup at both the RG and LG positions on the offensive line. It definitely appears that the move from tackle to guard is a permanent move for Holmes. I'm hearing that Holmes for the opener against Indiana on Saturday will be the first offensive guard off the bench and that he's expected to get reps at both offensive guard positions in Saturday's game against Indiana
Also, hearing that one of the biggest competitions throughout the entire 2020 season on offense will be between Sr. Will Fries [6-6, 306] and Rs. Fr. Caedan Wallace [6-5, 313] at the RT position on the field. Fries and Wallace will split time at the RT position on the offensive line and at times when Wallace is on the field at RT, Fries will give a blow to to Rasheed Walker [6-6, 313] at LT. I'm told Penn State believes that Walker has All-Big Ten potential.
5] It seems that Fr. Sam OLB Curtis Jacobs [6-1, 226] has made a big impression in preseason practice. He's No. 2 at the Sam OLB position behind So. Brandon Smith [6-3, 244]. But even more impressive in preseason practice has been Rs.Fr. Lance Dixon [6-2, 225]. He is the No. 2 Will OLB behind Jr. Jesse Luketa [6-3, 242]. I'm hearing that Penn State defensive coordinator, Brent Pry, has been thrilled by Dixon's work in preseason practice. Penn State plans to use Dixon in a number of different ways in a number of different formations [4-3-4, 4-2-5 and 3-3-5] as a normal Will/OLB, as a star hybrid/SS in Penn State's 4-2-5 defensive alignment and as even a field safety in a 3-3-5 defensive alignment. They feel Dixon has the athleticism, size and 4.45 40-yard speed to play all three positions in different Penn state defensive schemes.
6] Earlier this week I listed Joey Porter Jr. [6-2, 193] as my No. 1 breakout player for the 2020 season. Not surprised at all he's listed as the starter against Indiana at the field CB position in the secondary. Also, hearing that So. Keaton Ellis [5-11, 186] will be battling with backup boundary CB So. Marquis Wilson [5-11, 181] for the nickelback position in the secondary when Penn State goes to its 4-2-5 defensive setup in the secondary. As I said yesterday here in the Lions Den, Penn State believes Sr. Tariq Castro-Fields [6-0, 191], Porter Jr., Ellis and Wilson all have a legitimate shot when their Penn State careers are over to play in the NFL.
7] Finally, that brings us to the two safety positions in the secondary. Penn State's safety coach, Tim Banks, believes this is the best depth he's had at Penn State and the big surprise has been JUCO transfer Ji'Ayir Brown [5-11, 206] at the field safety position behind Sr. Lamont Wade [5-9, 191]. But it also has to be mentioned that one of the best position moves that took place over the summer was the move of Sr. Jaquan Brisker [6-1, 210] from the field safety position to the boundary safety position in the secondary. I probably should have listed Brisker as having a breakout season this fall.
That's it for today. What I did in this update was highlight some of the players on offense and defense that had outstanding preseason practice sessions. Even with the losses of AA Will OLB Micah Parsons and possibly All-Big Ten RB Journey Brown for the entire 2020 season, I still think Penn State can compete with Ohio State for the Big Ten East Division title.
