Hey everyone,
Since Nate is away for the weekend, Tim and I were up at practice this morning. We were able to watch roughly the last 30 minutes of practice. During that time, we got to see the first team offense against the first team defense, then the same for both second teams.
Below are some notes I was able to take...
Players Not Dressed
There were three notable players not dressed today. As is always the case, PSU doesn't release any injury details, so it's something we'll look into, but it'll be tough to learn specifics.
LB Nyeem Wartman has been held out for a few practices now. That was again the case today. WR Chris Godwin was also not in pads today. He's been having a great spring, running with the first team throughout the majority of practices. This was the first time that I've noticed him not practicing this spring. Also, TE Brent Wilkerson was not dressed today. He's had back issues for over a year now. I don't know if that's specifically why he's not dressed today, but I figured it's worth noting. He was in pads these past few weeks, so that's something to potentially monitor.
A few other players that weren't dressed...
WR Jake Kiley
WR DeAndre Thompkins
RB Brandon Johnson
OL Adam De Boef
___________________________________________________________________________________
First Team Offense vs. First Team Defense
For the most part, the first team defense got the best of QB Christian Hackenberg and the offense today. Towards the end of practice, Penn State simulated late game scenarios that they faced against both Maryland and Boston College last season. They put the exact amount of time on the clock, used timeouts, etc. They also had referees there.
Tim may be able to provide more specific details when it comes to play-to-play, but during the two series we watched, the defense won both. During the first session, which was replicating the scenario they faced against Maryland last November, the defense held the offense to a four and out after they gained one first down. Then, on the second series, which was replicating the scenario against Boston College in the bowl game, Christian Hackenberg was stripped in the backfield three plays into the session. Garret Sickels recovered the fumble for a touchdown and that was basically it for the first team.
The First Team Offense looked like this...
LT - #73 - Paris Palmer
LG - #70 - Brendan Mahon or #53 Derek Dowrey
[/B]C - #66 - Angelo Mangiro
RG - #72 - Brian Gaia
RT - #59 - Andrew Nelson
WR - #13 - Saeed Blacknall
WR - #5 - DaeSean Hamilton
WR - #7 - Eugene Lewis
TE - #87 - Kyle Carter
TE - #88 - Mike Gesicki
RB - #22 - Akeel Lynch
RB - #8 - Mark Allen
QB - #14 Christian Hackenberg
- A couple things to note...
TE Adam Breneman was dressed today, but he didn't participate during the live session. Franklin has admitted that Breneman's been limited this spring, which isn't a surprise after his knee surgery last year. I doubt he plays in the spring game, but he should be fine this fall.
RB Akeel Lynch ran with the first team during the first session. RB Mark Allen ran with the first team during the second session. Allen is one of the best things to have come out of this year's spring practice. From what we've gathered, he's arguably the best pass blocker Penn State has at running back at the moment, despite his size.
The First Team Defense looked like this...
DE - #95 - Carl Nassib
DT - #99 - Austin Johnson
DT - #41 - Parker Cothren
DE - #90 - Garrett Sickels
LB - #40 - Jason Cabinda
LB - #8 - Gary Wooten
LB - #25 - Von Walker
CB - # 10 - Trevor Williams
Saf. - #9 - Jordan Lucas
Saf. - #2 - Marcus Allen
CB - #15 - Grant Haley
- A couple things to note...
You'll notice that LB Brandon Bell isn't listed. He was dressed today, but like Breneman, Bell didn't participate during the two live sessions we watched. I don't believe there's anything to worry about, but I will ask around.
Bob Shoop switched to a nickel defense at times. When he did that, Saf. Malik Golden came on for LB Von Walker. Saf. Jordan Lucas then bumped down to nickel back.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Second Team Offense vs. Second Team Defense[/B]
QB Trace McSorely and the second team offense were able to have a bit more success against the second team defense.
During the first session, which again, was simulating the late-game scenario against Maryland last year, the defense got the best of the offense. McSorely basically had a few incomplete passes and that was pretty much it. They may have gotten one first down - I apologize, it's a lot to remember when I'm also trying to spot recruits - but I know the second team defense eventually held the offense to a four and out.
However, during the second session, which was replicating the late-game scenario against Boston College, McSorely was able to lead the offense down the field. After one incomplete pass, McSorely got outside of the pocket on second down and scrambled for a first down.
Two plays later, he hit WR Gregg Garrity on a flat route. I believe he was just short of a first down. However, on the next play, McSorely threw the nicest pass we saw all day, which was a seam route to TE Kyle Carter down the middle of the field. Carter would be tackled close to the goal-line, but McSorely then hit TE Tom Pancoast for a short TD pass a play or two later.
The Second Team Offense looked like this...
LT - #58 - Chance Sorrell
LG - #70 - Brendan Mahon or #77 Chasz Wright
C - #55 - Wendy Laurent
RG - #71 - Albert Hall or #77 Chasz Wright
RT - #60 - Noah Beh
WR - #89 - Gordon Bentley
WR - #86 - Luke Vadas
WR - #19 - Gregg Garrity
TE - #87 - Kyle Carter
TE - #89 - Tom Pancoast
RB - #24 - Nick Scott
QB - #9 - Trace McSorley
- A couple things to note...
You'll notice that OL Albert Hall is now getting reps at guard. Nate hit on this earlier in the week in his notes. Penn State wants to get OL Paris Palmer and OL Chance Sorrell as many reps as possible at left tackle.
TE Kyle Carter ran with both the first and second team. Again, Breneman didn't take any reps during the live session, while Brent Wilkerson wasn't dressed. TE Tom Pancoast also received a couple reps.
The Second Team Defense looked like this...
DE - #19 - Torrence Brown
DT - #93 - Antoine White
DT - #92 - Joe Holmes
DE - #52 - Curtis Cothran
LB - #20 - Jordan Dudas
LB - #47 - Brandon Smith
CB - #15 - Grant Haley or
CB - #37 - Kyle Alston
Saf. - #21 - Amani Oruwariye
Saf. - #28 - Troy Apke
CB - #38 - Desi Davis
- A couple things to note...
As you can see, the second team defense was primarily running a nickel defense
DE Torrence Brown was productive during both sessions. While he didn't record a sack, he was the one providing pressure on nearly every pass.
___________________________________________________________________________________
I will be reaching out to a few other colleagues that were also in attendance today. If they remind me of anything I missed, I'll make a note in this thread. Tim should also have a few more notes for you guys.
I'll also post a list of confirmed recruiting visitors. As I posted yesterday, 2016 OL Will Fries was the only prospect in attendance that currently holds an offer, but 2017 RB Dewayne Murray was also there. He has a good chance to get an offer at some point down the road.
This post was edited on 4/11 1:42 PM by RyanSnyder
Since Nate is away for the weekend, Tim and I were up at practice this morning. We were able to watch roughly the last 30 minutes of practice. During that time, we got to see the first team offense against the first team defense, then the same for both second teams.
Below are some notes I was able to take...
Players Not Dressed
There were three notable players not dressed today. As is always the case, PSU doesn't release any injury details, so it's something we'll look into, but it'll be tough to learn specifics.
LB Nyeem Wartman has been held out for a few practices now. That was again the case today. WR Chris Godwin was also not in pads today. He's been having a great spring, running with the first team throughout the majority of practices. This was the first time that I've noticed him not practicing this spring. Also, TE Brent Wilkerson was not dressed today. He's had back issues for over a year now. I don't know if that's specifically why he's not dressed today, but I figured it's worth noting. He was in pads these past few weeks, so that's something to potentially monitor.
A few other players that weren't dressed...
WR Jake Kiley
WR DeAndre Thompkins
RB Brandon Johnson
OL Adam De Boef
___________________________________________________________________________________
First Team Offense vs. First Team Defense
For the most part, the first team defense got the best of QB Christian Hackenberg and the offense today. Towards the end of practice, Penn State simulated late game scenarios that they faced against both Maryland and Boston College last season. They put the exact amount of time on the clock, used timeouts, etc. They also had referees there.
Tim may be able to provide more specific details when it comes to play-to-play, but during the two series we watched, the defense won both. During the first session, which was replicating the scenario they faced against Maryland last November, the defense held the offense to a four and out after they gained one first down. Then, on the second series, which was replicating the scenario against Boston College in the bowl game, Christian Hackenberg was stripped in the backfield three plays into the session. Garret Sickels recovered the fumble for a touchdown and that was basically it for the first team.
The First Team Offense looked like this...
LT - #73 - Paris Palmer
LG - #70 - Brendan Mahon or #53 Derek Dowrey
[/B]C - #66 - Angelo Mangiro
RG - #72 - Brian Gaia
RT - #59 - Andrew Nelson
WR - #13 - Saeed Blacknall
WR - #5 - DaeSean Hamilton
WR - #7 - Eugene Lewis
TE - #87 - Kyle Carter
TE - #88 - Mike Gesicki
RB - #22 - Akeel Lynch
RB - #8 - Mark Allen
QB - #14 Christian Hackenberg
- A couple things to note...
TE Adam Breneman was dressed today, but he didn't participate during the live session. Franklin has admitted that Breneman's been limited this spring, which isn't a surprise after his knee surgery last year. I doubt he plays in the spring game, but he should be fine this fall.
RB Akeel Lynch ran with the first team during the first session. RB Mark Allen ran with the first team during the second session. Allen is one of the best things to have come out of this year's spring practice. From what we've gathered, he's arguably the best pass blocker Penn State has at running back at the moment, despite his size.
The First Team Defense looked like this...
DE - #95 - Carl Nassib
DT - #99 - Austin Johnson
DT - #41 - Parker Cothren
DE - #90 - Garrett Sickels
LB - #40 - Jason Cabinda
LB - #8 - Gary Wooten
LB - #25 - Von Walker
CB - # 10 - Trevor Williams
Saf. - #9 - Jordan Lucas
Saf. - #2 - Marcus Allen
CB - #15 - Grant Haley
- A couple things to note...
You'll notice that LB Brandon Bell isn't listed. He was dressed today, but like Breneman, Bell didn't participate during the two live sessions we watched. I don't believe there's anything to worry about, but I will ask around.
Bob Shoop switched to a nickel defense at times. When he did that, Saf. Malik Golden came on for LB Von Walker. Saf. Jordan Lucas then bumped down to nickel back.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Second Team Offense vs. Second Team Defense[/B]
QB Trace McSorely and the second team offense were able to have a bit more success against the second team defense.
During the first session, which again, was simulating the late-game scenario against Maryland last year, the defense got the best of the offense. McSorely basically had a few incomplete passes and that was pretty much it. They may have gotten one first down - I apologize, it's a lot to remember when I'm also trying to spot recruits - but I know the second team defense eventually held the offense to a four and out.
However, during the second session, which was replicating the late-game scenario against Boston College, McSorely was able to lead the offense down the field. After one incomplete pass, McSorely got outside of the pocket on second down and scrambled for a first down.
Two plays later, he hit WR Gregg Garrity on a flat route. I believe he was just short of a first down. However, on the next play, McSorely threw the nicest pass we saw all day, which was a seam route to TE Kyle Carter down the middle of the field. Carter would be tackled close to the goal-line, but McSorely then hit TE Tom Pancoast for a short TD pass a play or two later.
The Second Team Offense looked like this...
LT - #58 - Chance Sorrell
LG - #70 - Brendan Mahon or #77 Chasz Wright
C - #55 - Wendy Laurent
RG - #71 - Albert Hall or #77 Chasz Wright
RT - #60 - Noah Beh
WR - #89 - Gordon Bentley
WR - #86 - Luke Vadas
WR - #19 - Gregg Garrity
TE - #87 - Kyle Carter
TE - #89 - Tom Pancoast
RB - #24 - Nick Scott
QB - #9 - Trace McSorley
- A couple things to note...
You'll notice that OL Albert Hall is now getting reps at guard. Nate hit on this earlier in the week in his notes. Penn State wants to get OL Paris Palmer and OL Chance Sorrell as many reps as possible at left tackle.
TE Kyle Carter ran with both the first and second team. Again, Breneman didn't take any reps during the live session, while Brent Wilkerson wasn't dressed. TE Tom Pancoast also received a couple reps.
The Second Team Defense looked like this...
DE - #19 - Torrence Brown
DT - #93 - Antoine White
DT - #92 - Joe Holmes
DE - #52 - Curtis Cothran
LB - #20 - Jordan Dudas
LB - #47 - Brandon Smith
CB - #15 - Grant Haley or
CB - #37 - Kyle Alston
Saf. - #21 - Amani Oruwariye
Saf. - #28 - Troy Apke
CB - #38 - Desi Davis
- A couple things to note...
As you can see, the second team defense was primarily running a nickel defense
DE Torrence Brown was productive during both sessions. While he didn't record a sack, he was the one providing pressure on nearly every pass.
___________________________________________________________________________________
I will be reaching out to a few other colleagues that were also in attendance today. If they remind me of anything I missed, I'll make a note in this thread. Tim should also have a few more notes for you guys.
I'll also post a list of confirmed recruiting visitors. As I posted yesterday, 2016 OL Will Fries was the only prospect in attendance that currently holds an offer, but 2017 RB Dewayne Murray was also there. He has a good chance to get an offer at some point down the road.
This post was edited on 4/11 1:42 PM by RyanSnyder
