I spent the morning at Lower Dauphin High School in Hummelstown for Big33 practice. I arrived just in time to catch about an hour of 11-on-11 drills, and to see Penn State’s incoming freshmen Kevin Givens, Ryan Buchholz, Shareef Miller and walk-on Jan Johnson in action.
Pads were popping, the energy was high, and the PSU guys said it almost felt like a preseason session of two-a-days, especially since the temperature reached the low 80s. All four were disruptive during practice, but I heard Shareef Miller’s name called out the most by the Pennsylvania coaches. He was really flying around today, chasing plays down from the backside and really putting himself out there, to the point where he even banged himself up a couple times (nothing serious, though, as he came back in a few plays later.)
As the only three defensive ends on the Pennsylvania roster, Givens, Buchholz and Miller had a rotation of every two or three plays. One would go to the sideline for a break, one would slide over to the opposite DE spot and the third one come in at the other DE spot. During the game on Saturday vs. Maryland, they expect to alternate like that again. But they’ll each get a full series, instead of just two or three plays.
Also, Givens and Buchholz got work today at defensive tackle, and they are expected to get more looks at DT on third down and in passing situations during Saturday’s game. As we’ve talked about here before, both have the potential to eventually slide inside later on in their Penn State careers. Both Givens and Buchholz were a little thicker than what I remember when I last saw them this fall. Buchholz, especially, appears to have the build to play in year one. Not saying that’s going to happen, but he at least looks to be physically ready. Miller, too, has gotten bigger, but it’s really his length, speed and athleticism that stands out. He definitely needs to add bulk, as he’d sometimes get lost in the mix of the bigger O-linemen inside the box, but there wasn’t one player there today who could match his first step. When he was in space, too, he showed the ability to chase down some of the running backs.
As far as Johnson, he appeared to be slightly undersized at linebacker, but his athleticism and quickness looked to make it up for it, as he was in on multiple plays throughout the morning. He was also working at long snapper at the end of practice. And for anyone who’s been wondering, I asked Johnson, a two-time state wrestling champion, if he has any plans to continue his wrestling career at Penn State. “As of right now, no,” he replied. “But who knows? Definitely (I will miss it). I’ve been wrestling for 13 years.”
I caught up with each of the four throughout practice, and then again for a few quick quotes once it was done. Those can be read below. I didn’t want to hold them long afterward, because they have another full practice this afternoon and other Big33 events throughout evening that will keep them occupied until at least 9:00 or so.
Here’s what each had to say:
DE Kevin Givens - Altoona - 6-2/240
Biggest takeaway:
“Just being around these guys and seeing how good they are. I’m looking forward to the game Saturday and seeing if we can beat Maryland.”
What you’ve learned:
“I learned you’ve got to go full speed every play. It’s definitely different than in high school – I’ll tell you that.”
On PSU:
“I’m looking forward to just being up there and the experience. And also being part of Penn State and the family.”
DE Ryan Buchholz - Great Valley - 6-6/248 (reported to be closer to 255)
Biggest takeaway:
“This week, I’ve just been getting to know the guys that we’ve been playing with, especially Kevin, Shareef and Jan. We’re all getting close as a whole team. Also, meeting new people, meeting the host families – that’s been great. I expect to have a good game defensively, especially. We’ve been flying around out here, doing well, so I think defensively we’ll hold it down and get a win.”
On playing defensive tackle in certain situations:
"I’m fine with that. I used to play a little bit of defensive tackle during my sophomore or junior year, so I’m OK with that.”
On PSU:
“Just getting in the weight room for the fist couple weeks, and getting into the program and gaining some weight. Hopefully I’ll be around 260 to 265 (by the time the season starts).”
DE Shareef Miller - George Washington - 6-5/230
Takeaway:
“Just getting to know all these guys out here, getting close to my teammates like Ryan and Givens. Just learning from them and seeing what types of things they do and just feed off them.”
What do they bring?
"Kevin is a strong guy, he’s real strong. Ryan is strong, too, and he’s got good technique, handwork and stuff like that."
On his performance:
"I’m just picking up where I left off. I’m still that athletic d-end, just flying around, pursuing to the ball. 110-percent effort, never give up on the play."
On PSU:
"The (Big 33) rules say you have to play with your hand in the dirt. I’m usually standing up, but I can play with my hand in the dirt. (PSU coaches) they want to have me probably standing up and go down. They just want me to be a playmaker, so they’ll put me in the best position so I can be a playmaker.
"I’m just looking forward to getting in the weight room, getting in that good weight program, eating right and just learning from Coach Spencer and the rest of the guys up there."
LB Jan Johnson - Governor Mifflin - 6-3/215 (walk on)
Biggest takeaway from practice:
"So far it’s going good. I think we’re starting to mesh really well. We had a great session, we really picked up the intensity on offense and defense. We were getting at it. The coaches told us that a little bit. They were thinking, this team, can they go harder? We pushed it today and went pretty hard."
About Saturday’s game:
"I’m hoping, No. 1, that we beat Maryland, but then just show everyone that I can play defense and that I’m ready to play."
On PSU:
"I'll probably redshirt right off the bat and then hope to make a coupe special teams there and stuff. And then work for a position at outside (Will) linebacker."
Check out the complete rosters here:
PA Roster - Click Here
MD Roster - Click Here
Pads were popping, the energy was high, and the PSU guys said it almost felt like a preseason session of two-a-days, especially since the temperature reached the low 80s. All four were disruptive during practice, but I heard Shareef Miller’s name called out the most by the Pennsylvania coaches. He was really flying around today, chasing plays down from the backside and really putting himself out there, to the point where he even banged himself up a couple times (nothing serious, though, as he came back in a few plays later.)
As the only three defensive ends on the Pennsylvania roster, Givens, Buchholz and Miller had a rotation of every two or three plays. One would go to the sideline for a break, one would slide over to the opposite DE spot and the third one come in at the other DE spot. During the game on Saturday vs. Maryland, they expect to alternate like that again. But they’ll each get a full series, instead of just two or three plays.
Also, Givens and Buchholz got work today at defensive tackle, and they are expected to get more looks at DT on third down and in passing situations during Saturday’s game. As we’ve talked about here before, both have the potential to eventually slide inside later on in their Penn State careers. Both Givens and Buchholz were a little thicker than what I remember when I last saw them this fall. Buchholz, especially, appears to have the build to play in year one. Not saying that’s going to happen, but he at least looks to be physically ready. Miller, too, has gotten bigger, but it’s really his length, speed and athleticism that stands out. He definitely needs to add bulk, as he’d sometimes get lost in the mix of the bigger O-linemen inside the box, but there wasn’t one player there today who could match his first step. When he was in space, too, he showed the ability to chase down some of the running backs.
As far as Johnson, he appeared to be slightly undersized at linebacker, but his athleticism and quickness looked to make it up for it, as he was in on multiple plays throughout the morning. He was also working at long snapper at the end of practice. And for anyone who’s been wondering, I asked Johnson, a two-time state wrestling champion, if he has any plans to continue his wrestling career at Penn State. “As of right now, no,” he replied. “But who knows? Definitely (I will miss it). I’ve been wrestling for 13 years.”
I caught up with each of the four throughout practice, and then again for a few quick quotes once it was done. Those can be read below. I didn’t want to hold them long afterward, because they have another full practice this afternoon and other Big33 events throughout evening that will keep them occupied until at least 9:00 or so.
Here’s what each had to say:
DE Kevin Givens - Altoona - 6-2/240
Biggest takeaway:
“Just being around these guys and seeing how good they are. I’m looking forward to the game Saturday and seeing if we can beat Maryland.”
What you’ve learned:
“I learned you’ve got to go full speed every play. It’s definitely different than in high school – I’ll tell you that.”
On PSU:
“I’m looking forward to just being up there and the experience. And also being part of Penn State and the family.”
DE Ryan Buchholz - Great Valley - 6-6/248 (reported to be closer to 255)
Biggest takeaway:
“This week, I’ve just been getting to know the guys that we’ve been playing with, especially Kevin, Shareef and Jan. We’re all getting close as a whole team. Also, meeting new people, meeting the host families – that’s been great. I expect to have a good game defensively, especially. We’ve been flying around out here, doing well, so I think defensively we’ll hold it down and get a win.”
On playing defensive tackle in certain situations:
"I’m fine with that. I used to play a little bit of defensive tackle during my sophomore or junior year, so I’m OK with that.”
On PSU:
“Just getting in the weight room for the fist couple weeks, and getting into the program and gaining some weight. Hopefully I’ll be around 260 to 265 (by the time the season starts).”
DE Shareef Miller - George Washington - 6-5/230
Takeaway:
“Just getting to know all these guys out here, getting close to my teammates like Ryan and Givens. Just learning from them and seeing what types of things they do and just feed off them.”
What do they bring?
"Kevin is a strong guy, he’s real strong. Ryan is strong, too, and he’s got good technique, handwork and stuff like that."
On his performance:
"I’m just picking up where I left off. I’m still that athletic d-end, just flying around, pursuing to the ball. 110-percent effort, never give up on the play."
On PSU:
"The (Big 33) rules say you have to play with your hand in the dirt. I’m usually standing up, but I can play with my hand in the dirt. (PSU coaches) they want to have me probably standing up and go down. They just want me to be a playmaker, so they’ll put me in the best position so I can be a playmaker.
"I’m just looking forward to getting in the weight room, getting in that good weight program, eating right and just learning from Coach Spencer and the rest of the guys up there."
LB Jan Johnson - Governor Mifflin - 6-3/215 (walk on)
Biggest takeaway from practice:
"So far it’s going good. I think we’re starting to mesh really well. We had a great session, we really picked up the intensity on offense and defense. We were getting at it. The coaches told us that a little bit. They were thinking, this team, can they go harder? We pushed it today and went pretty hard."
About Saturday’s game:
"I’m hoping, No. 1, that we beat Maryland, but then just show everyone that I can play defense and that I’m ready to play."
On PSU:
"I'll probably redshirt right off the bat and then hope to make a coupe special teams there and stuff. And then work for a position at outside (Will) linebacker."
Check out the complete rosters here:
PA Roster - Click Here
MD Roster - Click Here
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