Your 2019 Starting Lineup

[ClarkstonMark]

When it was Hack they wanted Trace. When it was Trace they wanted Tommy. Now it will be Tommy and they want Clifford. And on and on it goes.

I think if you did a poll that Clifford would be right there with Stevens.
So forget Tommy and wanting Clifford. It will be Clifford and wanting ?

 

[LemonEars]

Plenty of good discussion on this thread. Two things puzzle me: (1) No mention of Luketa. He seemed to be even with Parsons coming out of spring ball. He may emerge as a starter. (2) We have arguably one of the top recruiting classes in Penn State history coming in this fall. There is no mention of any of these guys seeing a lot of playing time. I expect that we will get some surprises. Maybe Ford will start at HB. Maybe Wallace will emerge as a stud lineman. Who knows, but I bet by next fall some of these kids will be seeing a lot of time time on the field.

 

[Texas Lion]

I am Tommy all the way....just so happens I am happy we have Clifford because Tommys style may lend a hand in him getting beat up....

 

[AWS1022]

I am Tommy all the way....just so happens I am happy we have Clifford because Tommys style may lend a hand in him getting beat up....

And he doesn’t seem to be very durable.

 

[Texas Lion]

Plenty of good discussion on this thread. Two things puzzle me: (1) No mention of Luketa. He seemed to be even with Parsons coming out of spring ball. He may emerge as a starter. (2) We have arguably one of the top recruiting classes in Penn State history coming in this fall. There is no mention of any of these guys seeing a lot of playing time. I expect that we will get some surprises. Maybe Ford will start at HB. Maybe Wallace will emerge as a stud lineman. Who knows, but I bet by next fall some of these kids will be seeing a lot of time time on the field.

I think Luketa will be right in the mix and possibly pushes out Jan and it becomes Luketa and Brooks in the middle. I know I list Jan as a starter but Luketa and Brooks may push him to retirement. I believe Jan already graduated right?

I think from here until Franklin leaves that every recruiting season is going to be strong. It is going to take a 5 star, no doubt stud (c'mon down Mr. Flemming) to come in and see the top of the depth chart.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Plenty of good discussion on this thread. Two things puzzle me: (1) No mention of Luketa. He seemed to be even with Parsons coming out of spring ball. He may emerge as a starter. (2) We have arguably one of the top recruiting classes in Penn State history coming in this fall. There is no mention of any of these guys seeing a lot of playing time. I expect that we will get some surprises. Maybe Ford will start at HB. Maybe Wallace will emerge as a stud lineman. Who knows, but I bet by next fall some of these kids will be seeing a lot of time time on the field.

Luketa will be much like Brooks this year. I think we see him sprinkled in quite a bit next year with the second team reps. Wallace is a stud, but even stud OL struggle unless you pull the rare guy who is physically mature enough to play. Wallace as it stands may have to start outside in this class and you have Fries, Walker, Alex G, and Whigan out there. Brisker is the one guy who I think we will see sooner rather than later.

 

[GregInPitt]

Plenty of good discussion on this thread. Two things puzzle me: (1) No mention of Luketa. He seemed to be even with Parsons coming out of spring ball. He may emerge as a starter. (2) We have arguably one of the top recruiting classes in Penn State history coming in this fall. There is no mention of any of these guys seeing a lot of playing time. I expect that we will get some surprises. Maybe Ford will start at HB. Maybe Wallace will emerge as a stud lineman. Who knows, but I bet by next fall some of these kids will be seeing a lot of time time on the field.

Regarding Luketa, I'm hoping he practices this Spring at OLB as well as on the inside. Luketa did not redshirt this year and played lots of special teams, but he is solidly behind Brooks with Brooks having played his best game against UK. So although the staff is high on Luketa I don't believe there is a great chance he can move ahead of Brooks, but we'll see. If Jan Johnson returns for 2019 I see him splitting reps with Brooks next Fall, with Luketa possibly getting some PT at a couple LB spots in addition to special teams work. And then in 2020 he will either split time with Brooks or beat him out to start. I realize Brooks is listed at 230 and Luketa only a few pounds more, but Luketa just seems bigger and looks more physical. But so far Brooks is playing like a MLB thumper so looks like either could be good MLB's.

Regarding the incoming talent, if this class arrived in 2014 there might be 5 starters from it. But with the roster strengthened by the 2017 and 2018 classes there are already plenty of great athletes that have been in the system and S&C program waiting to compete to start. But what you said about the possibiy of a top recruit or two bursting into playing time may just happen. RB is one of the easier positions for a true freshman to make an impact, and I look for one or both of Cain and Ford to play in 2019. Other candidates in MHO are Smith, Ellis, Whigan and Brisker and possibly Dunmore. Or any CB that comes into camp and can lights out cover, the way TCF did as a true freshman.

 

[Judge Smails]

https://www.centredaily.com/sports/college/penn-state-university/psu-football/article223920815.html

Defensive tackle
2018 departure: Kevin Givens

Candidates: Antonio Shelton, PJ Mustipher, Fred Hansard, Damion Barber, CJ Thorpe, Judge Culpepper

2019 projection: PJ Mustipher

The skinny: Shelton is a leader; he’s outspoken, breaks the “Wild Dogs” down in the pregame huddle and knows how to light up a room with his humor. He’s also got a fine motor. But he might be perfect as Sean Spencer’s “third starter” at tackle, one Tyrell Chavis made his own in 2017.

Thorpe plays angry, and while that will be valuable on the defensive side of the ball, he might not be polished enough to start. Hansard started Week 1 when Givens was suspended, but the rising redshirt sophomore suffered a season-ending injury in October, and it’s unknown if he’ll be healthy for winter workouts. (He was seen wearing a walking boot watching Citrus Bowl practices from the sideline.) Barber isn’t ready to take on a starting role, and neither is Culpepper, who didn’t see the field in ‘18.

But Mustipher, after impressing down the stretch, might be able to fill Givens’ absence. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound lane-clogger was the No. 78 overall prospect and No. 5 DT in the 2018 cycle, and he showed that potential in Big Ten play with a pair of late-game tackles in Penn State’s ugly win over Wisconsin.

The situation at DT isn’t ideal with Givens’ surprising decision, but this could turn into a positive if Mustipher develops into what many think he can be. “He just does not look like a freshman,” Spencer said back in August. “He’s a great one to coach.”

 

[PennStateTurf2002]

Thanks. Great summary. I have a friend really close to the team. He said watch out for PJ and Oweh in 2019 from what he has heard.

Another year in the weight room and we will have the kind of depth again that Spencer will love. Shelton seems like a leader. Hansard is gonna be really good, loved what I saw prior to injury. I think CJ heads back to offense. I haven’t heard much about Barber but hear Judge is impressive. This was a bleak position with terrible depth past couple years. We have had some talent arrive and develop. We also have a couple talented kids still looking at PSU in the current recruiting cycle.

https://www.centredaily.com/sports/college/penn-state-university/psu-football/article223920815.html

Defensive tackle
2018 departure: Kevin Givens

Candidates: Antonio Shelton, PJ Mustipher, Fred Hansard, Damion Barber, CJ Thorpe, Judge Culpepper

2019 projection: PJ Mustipher

The skinny: Shelton is a leader; he’s outspoken, breaks the “Wild Dogs” down in the pregame huddle and knows how to light up a room with his humor. He’s also got a fine motor. But he might be perfect as Sean Spencer’s “third starter” at tackle, one Tyrell Chavis made his own in 2017.

Thorpe plays angry, and while that will be valuable on the defensive side of the ball, he might not be polished enough to start. Hansard started Week 1 when Givens was suspended, but the rising redshirt sophomore suffered a season-ending injury in October, and it’s unknown if he’ll be healthy for winter workouts. (He was seen wearing a walking boot watching Citrus Bowl practices from the sideline.) Barber isn’t ready to take on a starting role, and neither is Culpepper, who didn’t see the field in ‘18.

But Mustipher, after impressing down the stretch, might be able to fill Givens’ absence. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound lane-clogger was the No. 78 overall prospect and No. 5 DT in the 2018 cycle, and he showed that potential in Big Ten play with a pair of late-game tackles in Penn State’s ugly win over Wisconsin.

The situation at DT isn’t ideal with Givens’ surprising decision, but this could turn into a positive if Mustipher develops into what many think he can be. “He just does not look like a freshman,” Spencer said back in August. “He’s a great one to coach.”

 

[Option Bob]

In an interview the week he moved Thorpe to DT, James said that the long-term plan for CJ was at OG. I doubt that changes.

I don't know whether Culpepper and Hawkins were injured this season or not, but they are bound to have gotten bigger and stronger in a year with Galt.

That leaves the DT positions (since I don't fully understand the different skills necessary for a 1 or a 3 technique, I based projections on the Dec. 12 depth chart posted on the "gopsu" site) with the following:

DT: Windsor (6-4, 295)... Shelton (6-2,310) ... Culpepper (6-4, 282)
DT: Mustipher (6-4, 300) ... Jordan (6-0, 291) ... Barber (6-3, 283) ... Hawkins (6-2, 285)

 

[Nittany_93]

I think the concept of a "starter" is becoming increasingly obsolete, especially for a coach like CJF. It's more about snap counts, keeping players fresh, and just as important, to develop depth.

With the attrition that comes with players leaving early, rotations and development of depth is even more critical.

Wouldn't surprise me one bit to see Clifford play some and/or occasional 2 QB sets.

 

[Pocono Lion]

I think the concept of a "starter" is becoming increasingly obsolete, especially for a coach like CJF. It's more about snap counts, keeping players fresh, and just as important, to develop depth.

With the attrition that comes with players leaving early, rotations and development of depth is even more critical.

Wouldn't surprise me one bit to see Clifford play some and/or occasional 2 QB sets.

I wouldn’t bank on Clifford seeing much time if TS is the starter. Although I agree with your comments about rotations, the one position that CJF has not done that with is QB. At times this year Trace looked like the guys from the Spirit of 1776 and he wouldn’t rotate anybody else in.

 

[djr4rebs]

I'd really like to see a combination of 4 WR sets on certain plays and then come back with 2 TE sets to mix up some running and PA passes. Friermuth got a really good block in on Allen during the bowl. Just came across behind the line and met him hard. He's only going to get stronger.

 

[djr4rebs]

I wouldn’t bank on Clifford seeing much time if TS is the starter. Although I agree with your comments about rotations, the one position that CJF has not done that with is QB. At times this year Trace looked like the guys from the Spirit of 1776 and he wouldn’t rotate anybody else in.

It was interesting that Clifford got in there for the one series when it wasn't apparent he had an injury. Trace couldn't even jog and it took forever to get him out of the Michigan game.

 

[artsandletters]

I think Miranda ends up owning a spot at OG and they keep Menet at C. I also think Mustipher is starting at DT next year. Hansard, Shelton, and Thorpe will add some beef and depth at DT. Hopefully Jordan fully recovers and is the quick twitch guy on the inside for passing downs alongside TGM when they slide him on 3rd and long.

Aren’t they moving Thorpe back to guard?