Pretty thorough article on PSU's 2025 oline......
- Thread starter GregInPitt
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I think that article sums it up pretty well. Thanks for posting Greg.
I get the Trib every day and read the article this morning. The first thing I thought about was what Michigan did to us two years ago. 32 straight runs. With Allen, Singleton, the terrific OL and tight ends, we should be able to do what Michigan did to us to most opponents. If we can just get a couple of decent wide receivers, the offense should be legendary - potentially the best in PSU history.
It's amazing how much the OL has improved. They maybe the best 2-deep in the nation next year.
I tell my wife how Barkley never had the best OL at PSU. Of course we were still recovering from Sanctions and it takes years and years to develop an OL unlike other position groups. And now we're finally seeing it all come together. We'll have a proven and Senior laden line next year ready to dominate games. And a ton of young talent ready to take over.
I tell my wife how Barkley never had the best OL at PSU. Of course we were still recovering from Sanctions and it takes years and years to develop an OL unlike other position groups. And now we're finally seeing it all come together. We'll have a proven and Senior laden line next year ready to dominate games. And a ton of young talent ready to take over.
It will be hard to exceed the versatility and dominance of the 94' offense. That would be epic if they could do so. Allar has to show improvement in pressure situations and the WR room has to be much better.
We are an Engram away from 1994. This OL could in fact be at least as good as 1994. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come in the trenches.
1994 had three awesome WRs. Engram, Scott, and Joe J. All- Americans and/or NFL caliber players.
Right now, we do not even have one serviceable WR.
Hopefully that can change.
Lots of weapons on offense but in crunch time many times KColins looked to the TE Brady. Playmakers at every position including fullback.
It seems like the PSU OL situation went into decline after Craig Cirbus left. Perhaps I'm forgetting someone, but the period between Cirbus and Trautwein seemed to be a constant search for a coach to fix the OL. Dick Anderson came back for a time, but that didn't fix the problem, and no matter how good our recruiting looked it never quite translated to having strong OL play. Our current situation at WR reminds of those frustrations in many ways.
Yes, it is quite similar to our receiver situation. IIRC, people were screaming for Trautwein’s head just two years ago. Said he had enough time and didn’t get results.
Now he is the hero. Think same could happen with Hagans?
The 94' defense wasn't anything special. The offense carried the team. We shall see about the 2025 defense after a DC is named, implements his system and see results on the field in conference.
It was better than their numbers. PSU offense was so incredible that their average scoring possession was less than 3 minutes and averaged around 40 points. The D was on the field A LOT without much rest.
It's possible, but I'm not optimistic. The OL required an influx of talent and time for development as individuals and as a cohesive unit. The transition from HS to college in the trenches is not easy and often requires significant physical development. I would think that the opportunities for a shorter turn around at the WR position would be greater. Incoming WRs, even if they have room to improve size and strength, are better positioned to make early contributions than incoming OL with the same problem. Beyond that, it's a matter of numbers. Addition or development of two quality OL is just the beginning while addition or development of two quality receivers can be transformative. I liked the Hagan hire at the time, but I don't see positive signs in any area of our WR room.
Drew, IMO made a big leap from 2023 to 2024. If he improves just a decent amount it could be special.
I really didn't see the big leap. He made some progress especially in pulling it down and running for first downs sometimes. But he threw more interceptions than in 2023 and 2 of them put the nail in the coffin of winnable marque games. Oregon and ND, at the end of the season when he had another 12 games of experience. And I believe both of those poor picks were on 1st down when any QB should know to just throw it away if there's no clear target.
Allar is a big, physically gifted QB that will win some games, and I'm sure happy he's staying at PSU for 2025. But some of the mental part of being a QB is hard for some QB's to learn. The focus of the critical circumstances of plays, especially late in the game. To throw it away on early downs when no one's open to avoid a sack, or to throw it away to stop the clock and avoid throwing into traffic when it's not 4th down and just to live to the next play. And some never really get real good at it. Hope the staff can move him forward in that part of his game. And better WR's will help him gain more confidence as well....
Players of their level don’t want to play at PSU under the current circumstances. Not developing wide receivers. Not putting wide receivers in the NFL.
Who was taken in the 6th round because we didn't develop him more?
Also, why wasn't Parker returning kicks at Penn State?
He also broke his leg in early November 2022, which probably affected his draft status, Regardless, he was drafted in the 2023 Draft.
Let's go with the "regardless"
Do you think prospects care that Parker Washington was drafted in the 6th round and is playing in the NFL as much as they want to know why Parker Washington wasn't drafted until the 6th round?
I don’t know. The past is the past. I want to look forward. This program has recruited many wide receivers in the last decade or slightly longer who either are still playing in the NFL or recently played in the NFL. Obviously, they’re hit a dry patch with that position. However, that could change very fast.
Same reason Hardy didn't return punts until his last season, then returned 2 for TD's in one game. Franklin mainly uses punt returners to just catch the ball. Like Saunders. Some how he doesn't believe that once the punt returner catches it the return turns into an play on offense..... Tracy looked light years better than Saunders. Wonder what Denmark would do, but we won't know unless he's a AA returner and sticks around for his 5th year.....
Yes, punt returning on the 2024 team was pathetic and needs to be greatly improved next season. We’re just throwing away hidden yards on those plays. How many times last season did we even return punts? It couldn’t have been more than 10 times, which is ridiculous.
Fair--but it's important to be able to sell kids based on "what is"--which is why Carter & Warren going in the first is important. It's why it's important for Allar to be a top 5 pick
So, if you're a stud athlete--would you want to come here know that?
If Ross doesn't return kicks...
PSU has a lot of “stud” backs and d-backs, some of whom should be capable of returning punts. Also, you can put a “stud” back there to return punts, but he has to have the courage and savy to return them. My point is that PSU definitely has “stud” athletes to return punts; there’s no issue in getting them. The issue is in execution and desire by the player.
Also, to be fair, this just isn’t a PSU phenomenon. You just don’t see as many punt returns and especially kickoff returns as you used to see.
averaged 47.5/game and had like 15 or more TD drives of less than 1 minute duration. The OL only had 1 senior, C Bucky Greeley.
I don't believe that--the fact Parker Washington wasn't returning kickoffs says all you need to know
Rather scary that 1994 OL had only 1 Senior starter, C Bucky Greeley. Was Collins even sacked that year?
Two awesome receivers. JoeJ wasn’t catching passes in 1994. He was punting.
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