BREAKING DOWN PENN STATE
BARKLEY’S WORLD
Everyone from coaches to teammates to Heisman Trophy prognosticators feel good about Saquon Barkley. His 2,572 rushing yards and 30 TDs over the past two years have usually come via spectacular runs and he could turn similar numbers into the school’s second Heisman win. Running back John Cappelletti won it in 1973. “It’s something that I can truly say, we’re not really thinking about with each play,” offensive tackle Andrew Nelson said. “The thing we do think about is the fact that if we can do our job every play, it’s not if or when he’s going to make a big play, it’s he will make a big play.”
TRACE’S SPACE
Quarterback Trace McSorley quickly emerged as a dangerous player last season, not only for an ability to extend plays or smart decision-making, but for his downfield throwing ability few teams were prepared for. Expect more from McSorley in Year 2 of Joe Moorhead’s no-huddle offense. The usually reserved Moorhead grew offended at suggestions he heard in the offseason that McSorley’s efforts were fluky. In fact, his system is much more nuanced than it might’ve looked when McSorley was picking on safeties over the top. “A kid couldn’t lead the league in multiple passing categories and set school single season records and be on the verge of multiple other school records if he was just throwing the ball
TURNING THE CORNER
The secondary lost its best cover cornerback when John Reid suffered a serious knee injury in the spring. Reid, who played more snaps than any Nittany Lion last season, was expected to lead a secondary that was returning mostly intact. While Franklin hasn’t ruled Reid out for the season, he doesn’t seem close to returning. Reid took an internship for the summer and was still in Oregon fulfilling it when camp began. Defensive coordinator Brent Pry has options, however. Christian Campbell has started when others have been hurt and adds length opposite Grant Haley, one of the team’s most experienced and cerebral players.
LINE GAMES
This team is built to withstand injuries in bunches. It proved it last season when all three starting linebackers were out early and both starting offensive tackles were hurt late. As a result, more offensive linemen like Connor McGovern got playing time and Penn State enters 2017 with a legit two-deep that could potentially be mixed and matched with potential for success. Defensively, the Nittany Lions would benefit from a bonafide pass-rusher to emerge. Torrence Brown and Shareef Miller are the frontrunners, but have had to earn reps behind older players up until this year.