1) Under good pro style instruction(aka O'Brien) Hackenberg thrived.
2) Despite playing in tricky field and weather conditions(first five games this year had rain or wet fields) Hackenberg had a awesome TD to interception ratio.
3) Despite 10 sacks, numerous hurries and violent hits on his body in the first game the young man persevered and had a decent, although not spectacular year. He did not go into a tank; physically, emotionally, or mentally. Something huge to be said for his character.
4) Many of his pointed out deficiencies(questionable footwork, errant short yard passes, etc) are fixable flaws with the right coaching.
5) He still has his health. His body, especially his arm is still very functional. The fear of being blindsided and sustaining a career ending injury has to come into play in his decision making processes.
6) Playing in good field conditions, Hackenberg's stats were superb. Playing in a dome(aka Houston) it's easy to see how Hackenberg could see himself succeeding in a big way.
7) The same motivating factor(a brilliant offensive minded coach) that encouraged him to come to Penn State under extremely dire circumstances could very well be present right now. I'm not suggesting O'Brien is encouraging Hackenberg to turn pro, but on the other hand If Hackenberg has honestly asked O'Brien if he(O'Brien) thought Hack had the talent to play in the NFL, and O'Brien honestly answered him "yes", that could be a huge motivating factor. The questionable draft position that Hackenberg's 2015 performance has landed him makes it much more likely that he'll be available when it come to Houston's turn to draft him. There's an enormous trust that has been established between Hackenberg and O'Brien.
Let me be honest here. I would like very much for Hackenberg to return for his senior year. I think he would thrive under Moorhead's guidance. I think Penn State would have a superb chance to be a top 10 team with a record breaking offense. I think Hackenberg would end up being a top 5 pick in next year's draft. That would obviously be reasons for him to stay. But who will you be drafted by in the first 5 rounds?...a bunch of 3-13 and 4-12 teams. In addition, the above reason #5 and, to a lesser extent, reason #4 could be tilting the playing field. Ask yourself, is a top 5 pick with it's higher first three year salary that much better than a late 1st round or high 2nd round pick this year a better option? Is being drafted by a good, winning record team with a solid O-line and high quality receiving corps a better way to go? The really big bucks made in the NFL go to veterans who've proven themselves over the course of several years. The skill level and success that develops in those first 3 or 4 years is in direct proportion to the coaching provided. If I'm Hackenberg, that's what I'm looking at.
2) Despite playing in tricky field and weather conditions(first five games this year had rain or wet fields) Hackenberg had a awesome TD to interception ratio.
3) Despite 10 sacks, numerous hurries and violent hits on his body in the first game the young man persevered and had a decent, although not spectacular year. He did not go into a tank; physically, emotionally, or mentally. Something huge to be said for his character.
4) Many of his pointed out deficiencies(questionable footwork, errant short yard passes, etc) are fixable flaws with the right coaching.
5) He still has his health. His body, especially his arm is still very functional. The fear of being blindsided and sustaining a career ending injury has to come into play in his decision making processes.
6) Playing in good field conditions, Hackenberg's stats were superb. Playing in a dome(aka Houston) it's easy to see how Hackenberg could see himself succeeding in a big way.
7) The same motivating factor(a brilliant offensive minded coach) that encouraged him to come to Penn State under extremely dire circumstances could very well be present right now. I'm not suggesting O'Brien is encouraging Hackenberg to turn pro, but on the other hand If Hackenberg has honestly asked O'Brien if he(O'Brien) thought Hack had the talent to play in the NFL, and O'Brien honestly answered him "yes", that could be a huge motivating factor. The questionable draft position that Hackenberg's 2015 performance has landed him makes it much more likely that he'll be available when it come to Houston's turn to draft him. There's an enormous trust that has been established between Hackenberg and O'Brien.
Let me be honest here. I would like very much for Hackenberg to return for his senior year. I think he would thrive under Moorhead's guidance. I think Penn State would have a superb chance to be a top 10 team with a record breaking offense. I think Hackenberg would end up being a top 5 pick in next year's draft. That would obviously be reasons for him to stay. But who will you be drafted by in the first 5 rounds?...a bunch of 3-13 and 4-12 teams. In addition, the above reason #5 and, to a lesser extent, reason #4 could be tilting the playing field. Ask yourself, is a top 5 pick with it's higher first three year salary that much better than a late 1st round or high 2nd round pick this year a better option? Is being drafted by a good, winning record team with a solid O-line and high quality receiving corps a better way to go? The really big bucks made in the NFL go to veterans who've proven themselves over the course of several years. The skill level and success that develops in those first 3 or 4 years is in direct proportion to the coaching provided. If I'm Hackenberg, that's what I'm looking at.
