Returning at running back is running mates and seniors Zach Zwinak and Bill Benton. Zwinak barely missed out on his second one thousand yard season and will continue his bruising back ways. I think these backs compliment each other perfectly and Benton is a great change of pace back for Zwinak. The left tackle, Franklin has his best lineman and anchor in junior Donovan Smith. Next to him will be Derek Dowrey, who moved over from defense due to injuries. In them middle will be junior Angelo Mangiro, who's best attribute is his versatility. Replacing John Urschel along the line Brian Gaia, who like fellow guard along the line, comes over from defense. At right tackle, Franklin will rely on redshirt freshman Andrew Nelson, who was praised by his former staff for his work ethic and effort. At place kicker, they return to senior and returning starter Sam Ficken.
DEFENSE: The Nittany Lions lose a key part of their line in DaQuan Jones, who's physicality will be missed on the inside. Replacing him in the middle is junior Anthony Zettel and sophomore Austin Johnson, who replaces Jones because of his productivity as a reserve. Zettel moves inside and hopes to prove that was the right decision. Returning at ends are Deion Barnes and C.J. Olaniyan. Olaniyan is a senior and hopes to build off a breakout year in which he led the team in sacks. Barnes had a down season after a great freshman season.
Franklin loses a leader at linebacker in Glenn Carson, and replacing him as the leader of the defense os senior Mike Hull, a tough guy who finally gets his chance in the middle. Next to him will be sophomores Brandon Bell, who gets the starting job after a strong finish last year, and Nyeem Wartman, who made big stops last year. Leading the secondary is junior Jordan Lucas, who was a surprise star last year. Trevor Williams will be the other corner and is a ball hawk very capable of turning the ball over. Returning for his senior season his Adrian Amos who has a lot of experience on this defense and will be a leader. Next to him will be fellow senior Ryan Keiser, who will be in his first full season as the starter. Freshman punter Chris Gulla is the top candidate to start.
RECRUITING: James Franklin is about as good as it gets for rerouting head coaches and he even helped the Nittany Lion's 2014 class with some headlining names including four stars: WR Saeed Blacknall, QB Michael O'Connor, and TE Mike Gesicki. Blacknall was the third best recruit out of New Jersey and a big get for Penn State. O'Connor is a great signal caller and will be the next quality quarterback for Penn State after Hackenberg. Gesicki will have to wait his turn behind two talented tight ends but will have his time to shine for Coach Franklin.
2015 Needs by Steve Wiltfong: As Penn State builds its roster back to 85 after suffering from NCAA sanctions, the Nittany Lions need a little bit of everything, but offensive line will be the main focus with James Franklin and his staff aiming for five. Defensive end and defensive back are two spots at which Penn State is thin.
OVERVIEW: I think that Penn State has the talent in the offense with the quarterbacks and the backs to compete but they will come up short of winning the Big Ten East without a solid defense. They will reach a solid bowl game and James Franklin will keep big time recruits coming to the Happy Valley.
QB Christian Hackenberg
WR Geno Lewis
CB Jordan Lucas
LB Mike Hull
RB Zach Zwinak
No comments:
Post a Comment