If PSU can find a quarterback, this team could have a special year next year, and the biggest reason for that is the 2017 and 2018 classes are living up to their billing.
2017: Almost every man in the class is contributing already, and a third of them are all-B1G caliber or showing all-B1G potential. Could be one of the great classes in PSU history if they stay healthy.
Gross-Matos -- best looking young DL at PSU in a really long time
Castro-Fields -- one of those corners you don't know how good he is because the ball never goes to his man; his tackling is still a weakness but improving.
Mike Miranda -- ready to be a B1G starter.
Hamler...the whole package -- speed, quickness, great ball skills, intelligence and toughness. Deon Butler type player with a higher ceiling.
Brooks -- has learned a lot this year and becoming an instinctive player; some may disagree but I think he's got all-B1G potential if he can get a little bigger and stronger.
Sutherland -- probably a three year starter at safety. Very tough and very intelligent player.
Others -- you could menttion just about everyone in the class, but Donovan Johnson, Holmes and Thorpe, Journey Brown, C S-Brown and Cliff have all looked like B1G players to me.
2018: we know less because most are redshirting, but still:
Friermuth -- I don't recall PSU ever having a true freshmen TE who could do all that Friermuth does at a high level. A real credit to him and to Tyler Bowen. This guy is already a real thorn for B1G defenses -- and contributes as much to the running game as the passing game.
Dotson -- Already, one of the players you would trust to make a game saving catch at the end of a game.
Parsons -- right on track, excellent freshman season, will be all-B1G or better next year -- ceiling is incredible.
Slade -- like Parsons, really good solid freshman season, has made really good progress in adapting to the physical college game. I thought he'd be a scatback but he runs well inside. Got to credit the position coach, Seider. I could see Slade blowing up next year because he'll be quite a bit stronger and hopefully more of a receiving target.
Mustipher, Oweh, Luketa, Tarburton -- had to play early but in limited action proved themselves; Oweh of course is spectacularly athletic. All will be in the rotation next year if they stay healthy.
George -- gotten so much less attention than Dotson and Shorter but he has great size and looks ready to play at a high level next year.
2017: Almost every man in the class is contributing already, and a third of them are all-B1G caliber or showing all-B1G potential. Could be one of the great classes in PSU history if they stay healthy.
Gross-Matos -- best looking young DL at PSU in a really long time
Castro-Fields -- one of those corners you don't know how good he is because the ball never goes to his man; his tackling is still a weakness but improving.
Mike Miranda -- ready to be a B1G starter.
Hamler...the whole package -- speed, quickness, great ball skills, intelligence and toughness. Deon Butler type player with a higher ceiling.
Brooks -- has learned a lot this year and becoming an instinctive player; some may disagree but I think he's got all-B1G potential if he can get a little bigger and stronger.
Sutherland -- probably a three year starter at safety. Very tough and very intelligent player.
Others -- you could menttion just about everyone in the class, but Donovan Johnson, Holmes and Thorpe, Journey Brown, C S-Brown and Cliff have all looked like B1G players to me.
2018: we know less because most are redshirting, but still:
Friermuth -- I don't recall PSU ever having a true freshmen TE who could do all that Friermuth does at a high level. A real credit to him and to Tyler Bowen. This guy is already a real thorn for B1G defenses -- and contributes as much to the running game as the passing game.
Dotson -- Already, one of the players you would trust to make a game saving catch at the end of a game.
Parsons -- right on track, excellent freshman season, will be all-B1G or better next year -- ceiling is incredible.
Slade -- like Parsons, really good solid freshman season, has made really good progress in adapting to the physical college game. I thought he'd be a scatback but he runs well inside. Got to credit the position coach, Seider. I could see Slade blowing up next year because he'll be quite a bit stronger and hopefully more of a receiving target.
Mustipher, Oweh, Luketa, Tarburton -- had to play early but in limited action proved themselves; Oweh of course is spectacularly athletic. All will be in the rotation next year if they stay healthy.
George -- gotten so much less attention than Dotson and Shorter but he has great size and looks ready to play at a high level next year.
