2019 could be "the year" for Penn State. Just looking at the squad, by mid-season we could be improved at every position group. First year IMO we can match Ohio State in terms of talent.
Offense:
QB - If one or more of Stevens, Clifford, Levis, or the 2 freshmen aren't better than 79th best passing efficiency rating in the nation, I'll be shocked. With this offense, Tommy and Cliff should be poised for a breakout year.
RB - Substituting Ford & Cain for Miles the fumbler has to be an upgrade. Plus a year of experience under Slade's belt - he ought to be really good. Not to mention Journey and potentially Holmes. Should be the best RB group in the Big Ten.
WR - Losing Juwan, Thompkins, and Polk should not hurt much. All 3 couldn't get things together in 2018. Projected starters of Hamler, Dotson, and Shorter could be the most talented WR we've ever had. Potentially really quality backups in Hipp, George, and Dunmore. Assuming this class doesn't nosedive like the 3 upperclassmen did in 2018, could be an exciting year passing the ball.
TE - Friermuth improved so much throughout the year. Have to think with a year of weight training he's going to have an amazing year. Really like backups in Kuntz (could be huge threat down the middle of the field) and Bowers (played well late last year when healthy).
OL - Hurts from depth perspective losing McGovern and Bates. Both were quality linemen. Were they stars? Hard for me to say. Except that unit as a whole was clearly disappointing. Hopefully Fries, Menet, and Gonzo will be improved. With the chance of Miranda, and/or Thorpe stepping in after 2 years serving as apprentice, as well as Whigan, I don't think we'll take a huge step back, if any. The news guys could be more physically talented than the outgoing guys. If they can gel as a unit, this group could be a step up from 2018. Injuries would be devastating here given lack of depth.
DT - Givens was a good player. See no reason why some combination of Shelton (whom I love), healthy Hansard, Mustipher, Hawkins, and Judge can't more than replace him. Windsor had a breakout year - should be even better. Hopefully these young guys can provide us the depth to substitute frequently (which we did so effectively vs. OSU in 2016).
DE - YGM will be dominant. Replacing a great player like Shareef will be difficult. But with Simmons (hopefully) healthy, Oweh with a year under Galt, Toney continuing to be an effective 3rd down specialist, and potentially Isaac and/or Tarburton providing depth, I believe the unit could be improved vs. 2018.
LB - Added 2 HUGE studs. Finally lost Koa. This unit should be the strength of the team. Led by an experienced Parsons (All-America candidate), Jan Johnson (does he start?), and Cam Brown (hopefully he learns not to use his helmet as a weapon). Backed up by an improving Brooks & Luketa, as well as the afformentioned Brandon Smith and Lance Dixon. Will be awesome to watch this unit develop.
CB - Reid fully healed (mentally and physically). Lose Amani. Big loss. Not irreplaceable IMO. TCF should emerge as a leader of the defense. Donovan Johnson played well in spots last year. And 5 freshman include Keaton Ellis (who's gotten rave reviews) and Marquis Wilson (think he's going to be a lockdown corner). Gordon also could be good. Depth is an improvement over 2018. We'll see if we can find a replacement for Amani. I think we can.
Safety - Lose Scott. Debatable how impactful this is. I am forever scarred by the single worst safety play I've ever seen, when Nick refused to engage on the long pass across the middle to Victor. That play (along with Miles' fumble) cost us the game. Confident that Taylor can improve his coverage skills, and Brisker or Sutherland can step in for Scott. Depth is obviously a big concern (who knows if we can count on Wade). If we stay healthy, this unit should be better than 2018.
All things considered, I'm sticking with my 11-1 prediction. Beat Michigan at home, OSU and MSU on the road. Drop 1 (maybe at Iowa). Crush Nebraska in the Big Ten championship game. Make the playoff. After that, who knows?
Offense:
QB - If one or more of Stevens, Clifford, Levis, or the 2 freshmen aren't better than 79th best passing efficiency rating in the nation, I'll be shocked. With this offense, Tommy and Cliff should be poised for a breakout year.
RB - Substituting Ford & Cain for Miles the fumbler has to be an upgrade. Plus a year of experience under Slade's belt - he ought to be really good. Not to mention Journey and potentially Holmes. Should be the best RB group in the Big Ten.
WR - Losing Juwan, Thompkins, and Polk should not hurt much. All 3 couldn't get things together in 2018. Projected starters of Hamler, Dotson, and Shorter could be the most talented WR we've ever had. Potentially really quality backups in Hipp, George, and Dunmore. Assuming this class doesn't nosedive like the 3 upperclassmen did in 2018, could be an exciting year passing the ball.
TE - Friermuth improved so much throughout the year. Have to think with a year of weight training he's going to have an amazing year. Really like backups in Kuntz (could be huge threat down the middle of the field) and Bowers (played well late last year when healthy).
OL - Hurts from depth perspective losing McGovern and Bates. Both were quality linemen. Were they stars? Hard for me to say. Except that unit as a whole was clearly disappointing. Hopefully Fries, Menet, and Gonzo will be improved. With the chance of Miranda, and/or Thorpe stepping in after 2 years serving as apprentice, as well as Whigan, I don't think we'll take a huge step back, if any. The news guys could be more physically talented than the outgoing guys. If they can gel as a unit, this group could be a step up from 2018. Injuries would be devastating here given lack of depth.
DT - Givens was a good player. See no reason why some combination of Shelton (whom I love), healthy Hansard, Mustipher, Hawkins, and Judge can't more than replace him. Windsor had a breakout year - should be even better. Hopefully these young guys can provide us the depth to substitute frequently (which we did so effectively vs. OSU in 2016).
DE - YGM will be dominant. Replacing a great player like Shareef will be difficult. But with Simmons (hopefully) healthy, Oweh with a year under Galt, Toney continuing to be an effective 3rd down specialist, and potentially Isaac and/or Tarburton providing depth, I believe the unit could be improved vs. 2018.
LB - Added 2 HUGE studs. Finally lost Koa. This unit should be the strength of the team. Led by an experienced Parsons (All-America candidate), Jan Johnson (does he start?), and Cam Brown (hopefully he learns not to use his helmet as a weapon). Backed up by an improving Brooks & Luketa, as well as the afformentioned Brandon Smith and Lance Dixon. Will be awesome to watch this unit develop.
CB - Reid fully healed (mentally and physically). Lose Amani. Big loss. Not irreplaceable IMO. TCF should emerge as a leader of the defense. Donovan Johnson played well in spots last year. And 5 freshman include Keaton Ellis (who's gotten rave reviews) and Marquis Wilson (think he's going to be a lockdown corner). Gordon also could be good. Depth is an improvement over 2018. We'll see if we can find a replacement for Amani. I think we can.
Safety - Lose Scott. Debatable how impactful this is. I am forever scarred by the single worst safety play I've ever seen, when Nick refused to engage on the long pass across the middle to Victor. That play (along with Miles' fumble) cost us the game. Confident that Taylor can improve his coverage skills, and Brisker or Sutherland can step in for Scott. Depth is obviously a big concern (who knows if we can count on Wade). If we stay healthy, this unit should be better than 2018.
All things considered, I'm sticking with my 11-1 prediction. Beat Michigan at home, OSU and MSU on the road. Drop 1 (maybe at Iowa). Crush Nebraska in the Big Ten championship game. Make the playoff. After that, who knows?
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