Penn State Returns a Ridiculous Amount of Talent/Starters Next Year

[NJPSU]

If all the Juniors return, we could be returning essentially 10 starters on offense next year. We only lose Trace and although we lose Thompkins at WR, Johnson, Hamler, Dotson all started multiple games.

On defense Amani and Scott will graduate in the secondary. Castro Fields and Reid both are de facto staters at CB. Sunderland is the favorite to start at safety? We lose Farmer at LB but Parsons has already supplanted him at that spot.

Of course the big story next year will be at QB. I think Tommy gets first shot. We don’t seem to miss a beat when he’s inserted in these blowout games. He hasn’t been asked to throw much but was impressive throwing the ball in 2017 BW game. Clifford has shined in his limited backup opportunities as well.

 

[LurkerLazarus]

If I were Sanders, I’d go.

 

[PennsylvaniaPride]

If I were Sanders, I’d go.

Needs to go a season without fumbling. That’s a huge question mark on him.

 

[sluggo72]

If I were Sanders, I’d go.

Why??

 

[NJPSU]

If I were Sanders, I’d go.

With Slade, 5 Star Ford, Brown, and 4 star transfer from Notre Dame, we will be fine no matter what Miles decides. It will depend on where he projects. If he’s not going in the first 2 rounds he should return.

 

[searay26]

I like Miles, but I don't see him being picked in the first 2 rounds.

 

[Delco Lion]

If I were Sanders, I’d go.

I've read several good articles on this topic. The RB class is not viewed as a strong class and Sanders is projected as a 4th or 5th round pick. If Sanders follows up this season with a strong 2019 and runs a 4.46 40, he should go in the 2nd or 3rd round pick. I'm sure he and JF will discuss.

I guess the big question is whether his carries will go up or down. With Slade, Ford, Brown, and Holmes on the depth chart, that could be an unknown, especially if Slade and Brown are doing well on and off the field.

 

[Osprey Lion]

If all the Juniors return, we could be returning essentially 10 starters on offense next year. We only lose Trace and although we lose Thompkins at WR, Johnson, Hamler, Dotson all started multiple games.

On defense Amani and Scott will graduate in the secondary. Castro Fields and Reid both are de facto staters at CB. Sunderland is the favorite to start at safety? We lose Farmer at LB but Parsons has already supplanted him at that spot.

Of course the big story next year will be at QB. I think Tommy gets first shot. We don’t seem to miss a beat when he’s inserted in these blowout games. He hasn’t been asked to throw much but was impressive throwing the ball in 2017 BW game. Clifford has shined in his limited backup opportunities as well.

Don't forget Brisker at safety.

 

[Osprey Lion]

I've read several good articles on this topic. The RB class is not viewed as a strong class and Sanders is projected as a 4th or 5th round pick. If Sanders follows up this season with a strong 2019 and runs a 4.46 40, he should go in the 2nd or 3rd round pick. I'm sure he and JF will discuss.

I guess the big question is whether his carries will go up or down. With Slade, Ford, Brown, and Holmes on the depth chart, that could be an unknown, especially if Slade and Brown are doing well on and off the field.

I like the way Brown ran in limited action. He really hits the hole and has shown power to
go with his speed.

 

[tboyer]

It makes sense for Sanders to stay. He is still improving and could be an elite running back next year.

Miller is the one I wonder about. He might have second-round potential now. But it would sure be nice to have him back one more year.

 

[bdgan]

If all the Juniors return, we could be returning essentially 10 starters on offense next year. We only lose Trace and although we lose Thompkins at WR, Johnson, Hamler, Dotson all started multiple games.

On defense Amani and Scott will graduate in the secondary. Castro Fields and Reid both are de facto staters at CB. Sunderland is the favorite to start at safety? We lose Farmer at LB but Parsons has already supplanted him at that spot.

Of course the big story next year will be at QB. I think Tommy gets first shot. We don’t seem to miss a beat when he’s inserted in these blowout games. He hasn’t been asked to throw much but was impressive throwing the ball in 2017 BW game. Clifford has shined in his limited backup opportunities as well.

Some juniors could leave early.

The OL could possibly return all 5 starters but what if 1 or 2 go early? The backups are very young and inexperienced.

Hamler has been great but we need bigger targets. That series yesterday when we went to Friermuth and JJ was great. I hope JJ doesn't leave early. I'm also hoping that Shorter comes on strong.

Slade & Brown looked good at RB but they're not as physically mature as Sanders. I hope he returns too.

You're 100% correct that the offense could be very good if everybody returns. We'll see what happens. I wish Stevens would have got more throws this year.

 

[Nitt1300]

geez- sounds like our much maligned (around here that is) coaching staff is really building something

 

[SR108]

If all the Juniors return, we could be returning essentially 10 starters on offense next year. We only lose Trace and although we lose Thompkins at WR, Johnson, Hamler, Dotson all started multiple games.

On defense Amani and Scott will graduate in the secondary. Castro Fields and Reid both are de facto staters at CB. Sunderland is the favorite to start at safety? We lose Farmer at LB but Parsons has already supplanted him at that spot.

Of course the big story next year will be at QB. I think Tommy gets first shot. We don’t seem to miss a beat when he’s inserted in these blowout games. He hasn’t been asked to throw much but was impressive throwing the ball in 2017 BW game. Clifford has shined in his limited backup opportunities as well.

Defense has a chance to be elite next year IMO, especially if Miller returns.

Offense should be good as well depending on QB play. I am still not completely sold on our offensive scheme however.

 

[CDLionFL]

geez- sounds like our much maligned (around here that is) coaching staff is really building something

They’re building it but can they coach it on gameday to a clutch win? That’s the maligning we do around here.

Given all that’s on the depth chart at the skill positions, I wonder how many transfers we might see. If Sanders is back, which of those RBs down the chart might decide they can be the feature back somewhere else?

 

[PSU.:.]

Miles is a good rb but doesn't have that big time explosion most NFL running backs have. Of course some of the greats didn't have elite speed or explosion either so who knows.
You can huge difference in speed between Slade and Sanders. Slade almost looks like he has Barkley type speed.

 

[mn78psu83]

Miles is a good rb but doesn't have that big time explosion most NFL running backs have. Of course some of the greats didn't have elite speed or explosion either so who knows.

See Frank Gore.

 

[Nitt1300]

They’re building it but can they coach it on gameday to a clutch win? That’s the maligning we do around here.

Send Sandy your resume

 

[PSUdraw]

Running Backs is the only position where I will never question them for going a year earlier then they probably should it has one of the shortest career spans in the nfl so if you can get there earlier then go ahead remember 30 is age where running backs are given up on.

 

[LurkerLazarus]

I think Sean Fitz has intimated earlier this season that Miller will go early if everything falls into place for him. He had a strong year, so I would have to think that it's a possibility.

As far as Miles is concerned, I don't disagree that staying another year could help his draft position, but he's got to take into account the possibility of injury. I doubt he ever moves into the first round, or even the high second, no matter what. It's a tough decision for him.

 

[Nit777]

I like the way Brown ran in limited action. He really hits the hole and has shown power to
go with his speed.

I thought the same thing.
He was not tentative and he was in for a few plays before it became a rout.

 

[Alphabets]

See Frank Gore.

One of the most underrated backs in NFL history. And still going. Beast.

 

[PSUdraw]

Bryce Love is example why running backs should leave after junior year he probably would have been one of the top 3 backs taken last year and came back has been dinged up all year this year at Stanford.

 

[bdgan]

They’re building it but can they coach it on gameday to a clutch win? That’s the maligning we do around here.

Given all that’s on the depth chart at the skill positions, I wonder how many transfers we might see. If Sanders is back, which of those RBs down the chart might decide they can be the feature back somewhere else?

Ohio State strruggled to beat PSU, MSU and Maryland but they came up with the big plays in the end to pull those games out. They have amazing talent but I think there's more to it than that. Smart coaching? Kids that don't panic and expect to win? I don't know but it's not just luck. That's where PSU has to get to become elite.

I don't see any RBs transferring just yet. They would still have 2 years even if Sanders returns.

 

[cjrugger]

Needs to go a season without fumbling. That’s a huge question mark on him.

He does? Didn't realize NFL rbs never fumble

 

[mn78psu83]

He does? Didn't realize NFL rbs never fumble

Good luck finding a back that "never' fumbled. Even Saquon fumbled at PSU. He fumbled 4 times in his career - 2 as a freshman (1 lost) and 2 as a soph (both lost). Of course, he did not fumble once his senior year though. He had about 300 touches.

 

[AWS1022]

Good luck finding a back that "never' fumbled. Even Saquon fumbled at PSU. He fumbled 4 times in his career - 2 as a freshman (1 lost) and 2 as a soph (both lost). Of course, he did not fumble once his senior year though. He had about 300 touches.

And he hasn’t fumbled this year for the Giants.

 

[I am Ironman]

Sanders and Miller are the only JRs that I could see getting drafted. Both would be late round choices at this point.

They would both improve their game and draft-stock by returning, but who knows? RB and DE are 2 of our deepest positions.

I do not see any of the O lineman leaving early due to the average play of the line this year.

We should be better at every position next year. The defense will be the best by far since Franklin has been here.

 

[DandyDonII]

Regarding Sanders, if he didn't have the fumbling issues I would think he should definitely declare for draft, not sure how much those issues will affect draft stock...

He has been great in pass protection (he picks up blitzing LBs pretty damn well), has shown some ability to juke and to break tackles. He has also shown good hands when the ball is thrown to him (don't get me started on how rarely we do throw to him though)...With the way RBs are drafted these days, if he is projected to go in rounds 3-5, I would go..Not sure how much one more season will do for him in the end.