Review of recently updated roster weight changes....

[GregInPitt]

Time for some actual football talk.......

Some interesting weight changes, particularly on the OL and at DT, where the 4 2024 DT's seem to be coming along nicely in the S&C as they will be counted on to some degree in 2025 after the top 4 DT's likely are gone although Izzard has another year of eligibility if he wants to use it.

DT should be a strength as the 2 deep of Ellies, Durant, Izzard and Beamon have all been playing at PSU for 3 years, and the backups have also been at PSU for at least a couple of years, Ford, Artis and potentially Blanding who is a RS Freshman.

Should also be interesting to see what Smith Vilbert does at over 290 lbs, at both DE and DT.

And good to see Martin over 200 lbs as he could be a real difference maker in limited reps and on special teams.

Penn State football roster update highlights newcomers, notable physical changes

Penn State updated its online roster Tuesday. Here's what stood out to us.

247sports.com

 

[EdwardoCarrachio]

Time for some actual football talk.......

Some interesting weight changes, particularly on the OL and at DT, where the 4 2024 DT's seem to be coming along nicely in the S&C as they will be counted on to some degree in 2025. Should also be interesting to see what Smith Vilbert does at over 290 lbs.

And good to see Martin over 200 lbs as he could be a real difference maker in limited reps and on special teams.

Penn State football roster update highlights newcomers, notable physical changes

Penn State updated its online roster Tuesday. Here's what stood out to us.

247sports.com

Seeing some nice weight gains in the TE room. Only Warren has dropped (2 lbs). Reynolds up 13 lbs. Looks like he's a TE all the way.

12 lb gain for Rucci seems to indicate he's seriously competing to start this season. There's some beef in that room led by Vega at 346 lbs.

Can Vilbert Smith stay at DE at 292? The article says he may play inside as well. Some big weight gains for the freshmen DTs, Cunningham up 28 lbs, Cook up 17.

Rojas up 14 lbs to 239. Does he still have that speed and movement quality we saw a glimpse of last year? They say he does. Early enrollee Kari Jackson up 20 lbs to 246 is noteworthy.

 

[GregInPitt]

Seeing some nice weight gains in the TE room. Only Warren has dropped (2 lbs). Reynolds up 13 lbs. Looks like he's a TE all the way.

12 lb gain for Rucci seems to indicate he's seriously competing to start this season. There's some beef in that room led by Vega at 346 lbs.

Can Vilbert Smith stay at DE at 292? The article says he may play inside as well. Some big weight gains for the freshmen DTs, Cunningham up 28 lbs, Cook up 17.

Rojas up 14 lbs to 239. Does he still have that speed and movement quality we saw a glimpse of last year? They say he does. Early enrollee Kari Jackson up 20 lbs to 246 is noteworthy.

If Jackson looks like a near term replacement for King at Mike, Allen may want to move Robinson to Will, or even to DE........

 

[lazydave841]

Saw some talk about the potential Center's (Dawkins, Birch) all dropping under 300 possibly because AK likes mobile Cs.

Andrews down to 260 while listed as a DT sounds like RS and switch to DE based upon the other DT freshman all gaining significant weight.

Ford nearly 320 now. Could our DTs be a real strength this year? A lot of 5th and 6th year guys and probably our best size/returning experience combo under JF.

LB size seems to indicate a lot more 4-2 defense (Allen's calling card).

 

[Ian]

DTs better be a strength with 3 five, six year guys… and a returning AFord. All will be gone as well as Durant if he has a good year. DL will be very green in 2025.

 

[ryoder1]

Martin has put on weight to 202. This is good news as he looked slender in the BW game. Hopefully no quickness lost. Would love to see him get reps as a slot receiver.

I am curious how Alonzo Ford develops since he was hurt all last season. At 319 (up 20 pounds) he can eat up space and is supposedly a run stopper specialist.

I think any glimmer of hope they would give Luke Reynolds a look as a "big" WR is gone. He is up to 241 from 228.

And glad to see we have a punter who is 280!!

 

[voltz99]

Allen up to 229. He was great when he slimmed down. Not as good when he put on weight. He put on more weight. I hope he slims down in camp.

 

[RickinDayton]

Martin has put on weight to 202. This is good news as he looked slender in the BW game. Hopefully no quickness lost. Would love to see him get reps as a slot receiver.

I am curious how Alonzo Ford develops since he was hurt all last season. At 319 (up 20 pounds) he can eat up space and is supposedly a run stopper specialist.

I think any glimmer of hope they would give Luke Reynolds a look as a "big" WR is gone. He is up to 241 from 228.

And glad to see we have a punter who is 280!!

Allen up to 229. He was great when he slimmed down. Not as good when he put on weight. He put on more weight. I hope he slims down in camp.

Also not a fan of him carrying that much weight. Hopefully he drops to 220-222 range.

 

[Obliviax]

Allen up to 229. He was great when he slimmed down. Not as good when he put on weight. He put on more weight. I hope he slims down in camp.

It is a matter of body fat or muscle. it is four pounds as he's up to 229 from 225 per the article. If it is muscle, he may have more drive, explosion, and momentum. I am sure the staff has detailed stats on weight vs performance. Four pounds is nothing. I lose four pounds every morning after my coffee.

 

[voltz99]

It is a matter of body fat or muscle. it is four pounds as he's up to 229 from 225 per the article. If it is muscle, he may have more drive, explosion, and momentum. I am sure the staff has detailed stats on weight vs performance. Four pounds is nothing. I lose four pounds every morning after my coffee.

4 lbs? If you ignore the 24 lbs he gained from freshman year to sophomore year. He lost a step from year one to year two.

I dont buy the weight gain is all muscle.


I love how people spin it that players put on all muscle. Why do OL lose 100 lbs when they retire? Did they lose 100lbs of muscle?

 

[proud2bpsufan]

For some guys, this kind of weight gain over the spring/summer is a trend every year. One sure fire way to get stronger is to add mass to your body while you are working out very hard. Of course, that's done by eating more than usual. However, the closer it gets to the season, guys like Allen will start to drop down to a better playing weight while maintaining a certain % of the strength he gained over the strength/bulking period. I'm guessing he'll play around 220-225. (just like last season).

 

[Obliviax]

4 lbs? If you ignore the 24 lbs he gained from freshman year to sophomore year. He lost a step from year one to year two.

I dont buy the weight gain is all muscle.


I love how people spin it that players put on all muscle. Why do OL lose 100 lbs when they retire? Did they lose 100lbs of muscle?

OL, is of course, a completely different issue. For them, most of their issues are simply the rules of physics and inertia. The staff isn't sitting around hoping kids gain or lose weight. The staff gives players guidance on their optimum body weight which includes all kinds of variables (height, leg length, role, speed, quickness, acceleration, dexterity, flexibility, and more). They know muscle weight versus body mass and fat. This is a fundamental development these days. I trust that the staff knows more than we do. Having said that, did the player simply chow down on a diet of Lucky Charms, Chicken Wings and Teramasu? That isn't under the staff's control and is up to the player's motivation and self-control.

 

[voltz99]

OL, is of course, a completely different issue. For them, most of their issues are simply the rules of physics and inertia. The staff isn't sitting around hoping kids gain or lose weight. The staff gives players guidance on their optimum body weight which includes all kinds of variables (height, leg length, role, speed, quickness, acceleration, dexterity, flexibility, and more). They know muscle weight versus body mass and fat. This is a fundamental development these days. I trust that the staff knows more than we do. Having said that, did the player simply chow down on a diet of Lucky Charms, Chicken Wings and Teramasu? That isn't under the staff's control and is up to the player's motivation and self-control.

The coaches themselves said Allen was faster and quicker when he dropped the weight using THEIR guidance.

 

[Obliviax]

The coaches themselves said Allen was faster and quicker when he dropped the weight using THEIR guidance.

that was a year ago. As people get older, they get stronger. You could very well be correct, but the four pounds doesn't alarm me.

 

[GregInPitt]

For some guys, this kind of weight gain over the spring/summer is a trend every year. One sure fire way to get stronger is to add mass to your body while you are working out very hard. Of course, that's done by eating more than usual. However, the closer it gets to the season, guys like Allen will start to drop down to a better playing weight while maintaining a certain % of the strength he gained over the strength/bulking period. I'm guessing he'll play around 220-225. (just like last season).

My son was a pretty serious body builder a few years back, and the process is referred to as "bulking" and then "cutting". Each cycle aligned with a proper weight training program results in increased actual muscle mass, but the amount of actual muscle gained is not as much as some might expect. It takes many cycles over significant period of time to add the muscle that serious body builders desire and the chemistry is pretty much the same for football players........

 

[lazydave841]

The coaches themselves said Allen was faster and quicker when he dropped the weight using THEIR guidance.

Wasn't that between EE and his freshman year?

Do you think they wanted him to continue to drop weight?

He's gained weight through 2 cycles now.

 

[voltz99]

Wasn't that between EE and his freshman year?

Do you think they wanted him to continue to drop weight?

He's gained weight through 2 cycles now.

And he went from 10 tds to 6td.

Did he look better last year? How about singleton?

 

[Obliviax]

And he went from 10 tds to 6td.

Did he look better last year? How about singleton?

Lots of variables beyond his weight. MY shouldn't have let the RBs gain weight.

Penn State fires offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich​

 

[lazydave841]

And he went from 10 tds to 6td.

Did he look better last year? How about singleton?

How many was he pulled for so Singleton could get his?

How much do we attribute this to going from 6th year Clifford to 2nd year Allar?

What about the losses of PWash, Tinsley, and Strange?

Although Allen might just be better at 210 or 202 or whatever he played at as a freshman.

Singleton definitely regressed. Allen just didn't improve enough amongst the other issues.

 

[EdwardoCarrachio]

It is a matter of body fat or muscle. it is four pounds as he's up to 229 from 225 per the article. If it is muscle, he may have more drive, explosion, and momentum. I am sure the staff has detailed stats on weight vs performance. Four pounds is nothing. I lose four pounds every morning after my coffee.

Agreed with one technical point, momentum does not care if it is muscle mass or fat mass. Momentum is mass (any form of mass) times velocity. Unless the implication is that the muscle mass is allowing greater velocities than fat mass, momentum is not really a factor.

 

[GregInPitt]

Agreed with one technical point, momentum does not care if it is muscle mass or fat mass. Momentum is mass (any form of mass) times velocity. Unless the implication is that the muscle mass is allowing greater velocities than fat mass, momentum is not really a factor.

Additional muscle in a player's body does give him more power and the case of RB's additional ability to break tackles. It would seem to facilitate quicker and stronger cutting ability as well, although a RB's ratio of muscle to weight would seem to impact that as well.

Pure "momentum" was exhibited in that "big" kickoff kicker PSU had a few years ago, where he would get a head of steam and flatten the returners!!

 

[EdwardoCarrachio]

Additional muscle in a player's body does give him more power and the case of RB's additional ability to break tackles. It would seem to facilitate quicker and stronger cutting ability as well, although a RB's ratio of muscle to weight would seem to impact that as well.

Pure "momentum" was exhibited in that "big" kickoff kicker PSU had a few years ago, where he would get a head of steam and flatten the returners!!

I was merely correcting the physical concept of momentum. p = mv

Add vector arrows here above the momentum and velocity terms.

Momentum doesn't care of what the mass is composed. It is a function only of the total mass and the body's velocity.

How one uses the term in a football sense is likely not as precise.

 

[PurposePitch]

Saw some talk about the potential Center's (Dawkins, Birch) all dropping under 300 possibly because AK likes mobile Cs.

Andrews down to 260 while listed as a DT sounds like RS and switch to DE based upon the other DT freshman all gaining significant weight.

Ford nearly 320 now. Could our DTs be a real strength this year? A lot of 5th and 6th year guys and probably our best size/returning experience combo under JF.

LB size seems to indicate a lot more 4-2 defense (Allen's calling card).

Andrews has chicken legs and ripped his pec trying to get swoll. It was/is dumb to try to make him a DT. He should slim down and go DE ... or TE if he has any ball skills.

 

[lazydave841]

Andrews has chicken legs and ripped his pec trying to get swoll. It was/is dumb to try to make him a DT. He should slim down and go DE ... or TE if he has any ball skills.

I think DT was his call as far his recruiting went. Perhaps this is a signal that DE is the future, but it's pure speculation. Still, some speculation is rather easy. Townley (who was pushed around at 250s DE) was never going to see significant time as a 280 DT at this level (and finally portaled out to his proper level).

 

[Obliviax]

Agreed with one technical point, momentum does not care if it is muscle mass or fat mass. Momentum is mass (any form of mass) times velocity. Unless the implication is that the muscle mass is allowing greater velocities than fat mass, momentum is not really a factor.

Agreed. But if it is muscle, and he retains his strength with that muscle, he’ll have great momentum He’ll be better in knocking a defender backward.

 

[NittanyChris]

What’s the talk on Ford recently? REALLY hope he can step up and be a factor, because Beamon shouldn’t be getting significant reps at this point. If Ford can step up to join Ellies, Durant and Izzard then that’s a very good foursome.

 

[EdwardoCarrachio]

What’s the talk on Ford recently? REALLY hope he can step up and be a factor, because Beamon shouldn’t be getting significant reps at this point. If Ford can step up to join Ellies, Durant and Izzard then that’s a very good foursome.

Beamon started 18 of the last 25 games and 12 games last year. I think it's a bit over the top to suggest he shouldn't be getting significant reps. Third year starters on top 10 defenses sometimes are even better than the year prior.

 

[NittanyChris]

Beamon started 18 of the last 25 games and 12 games last year. I think it's a bit over the top to suggest he shouldn't be getting significant reps. Third year starters on top 10 defenses sometimes are even better than the year prior.

That’s exactly my point. We’ve seen more than enough evidence to know that he’s not a big-time DT in the big 10. He’s gotten far more reps then he’s earned and that needs to change.

 

[lazydave841]

What’s the talk on Ford recently?

He's not injured and he's gained weight.

On the one hand, he fits a lot of people's stereotype: 319 lbs DT. Run stuffer at ODU. Sounds great.

On the other hand, he played at ODU around 280. He's gained 40 lbs, is coming off a significant injury, and hasn't played football in over a year and it will be nearly 2 years by the time he takes his first PSU snap.

Would make for a good press conference question for sure. Unless it's premium, that's about all any of us know.

@Richie O
@Dylan Callaghan-Croley

 

[cntblvitsbutter]

Tony Rojas looks poised for a breakout year. I think he came into the program around 200 lbs and now he's at 240.

 

[NittanyChris]

Tony Rojas looks poised for a breakout year. I think he came into the program around 200 lbs and now he's at 240.

Just a guess, but he seems so athletic that he’ll be able to carry that new weight without losing much speed, quickness or agility. Really excited to see Rojas this year!

 

[GregInPitt]

Tony Rojas looks poised for a breakout year. I think he came into the program around 200 lbs and now he's at 240.

That's what they say, although in the pictures I've seen of him this Spring he sure doesn't look like 240 to me.......

Regardless of he weight, he's a playmaker. Reads plays early and quickly sifts his way through blockers to get to the ball. I'm looking forward to seeing him take over LB-U tradition.

Carter may have to give him the sticks at mid-season..........

 

[scrivener]

That’s exactly my point. We’ve seen more than enough evidence to know that he’s not a big-time DT in the big 10. He’s gotten far more reps then he’s earned and that needs to change.

Exactly. He is undersized for DT and doesn't have leverage to win those battles. Beamon is just a guy.

 

[scrivener]

Beamon started 18 of the last 25 games and 12 games last year. I think it's a bit over the top to suggest he shouldn't be getting significant reps. Third year starters on top 10 defenses sometimes are even better than the year prior.

Beamon had 12 tkls last year and 1 sack...and only 1.5 tfls I believe. For all the playing time you alluded to, he just doesn't make a ton of plays. Not saying he shouldn't see reps, because he is a veteran at a position that is annually thin, but Beamon so far aint it.

 

[Obliviax]

Beamon had 12 tkls last year and 1 sack...and only 1.5 tfls I believe. For all the playing time you alluded to, he just doesn't make a ton of plays. Not saying he shouldn't see reps, because he is a veteran at a position that is annually thin, but Beamon so far aint it.

I dint know how we coach the role but lots of teams just teach their DT to stand their ground to stuff the run. OLB is that way defending the run.