Announced they will return:
- CB Tariq Castro-Fields - Big plus for the secondary, should be a nice addition to the young DBs. He matches up against physical receivers well.
- S Jaquan Brisker - Big plus for the secondary
- WR Jahan Dotson - Huge plus for the receivers
- DT Derrick Tangelo (from Duke) - Good run stopper, needed depth
- CB John Dixon (from South Carolina) - Will compete for time, adds depth
- DE Arnold Ebiketie (from Temple) - Big pickup and will start
- RB John Lovett (from Baylor) - Will compete for time, adds depth
- TE Pat Freiermuth (declared for NFL Draft) - Great player, but other TE's seemed to step up and are talented
- DE Jayson Oweh (declared for NFL Draft) - Loads of talent, but didn't seem to materialize on the field for us
- DE Shaka Toney (declared for NFL Draft) - Good player, but like Oweh seemed to only reach the QB on obvious passing downs
- DT Antonio Shelton (to Florida) - This loss probably hurts the most in regards to our needs
- DT Judge Culpepper (destination to be determined) - Loss of depth, but Tangelo seems like an upgrade to Culpepper.
On whole, I think we've done much better with who we have coming back and/or adding to the team than what we are losing. The only thing that worries me in regards to losses is the defensive line. I'm confident in two guys: Ebiketie and Mustipher will be good, but they need two other guys to step at DT and DE.
As for the offense, it's really this simple: Can Yurcich make Clifford into an above average QB, can someone else step up, or do we get someone in the portal?
Honestly I'm ok with someone else getting the opportunity to be the beast that Shocka never materialized in to. I thought he was just going to eat up the backfield and be disruptive as all get up; time to move on. Oweh, well maybe, I hope so, but a big upfront check (for him) and never to be heard from again would not surprise me.
I can appreciate some of these guys wanting to leave but some really need to stay and hone their skills etc.. I don't think the NFL game is, come on in we'll teach you; its more like suit and lets go; a lot easier said than done.
You know, I watched most of the playoff games this past weekend. When it get's right down to it, there is a mile of difference between the guys that played in each of those games vs the college graduating class and those declaring early for the draft this year. Dotson coming back and Castro Fields coming back was very smart on their end. Toney and Oweh both would have benefited from coming back too. In fact, I am not so sure Parsons shouldn't have played another year.
I am sure there are going to be several players do well next year in the Pro's, but unless you are just THAT great, I don't see the sense in leaving early outside of a financial gain which is what I am fairly certain is the driving factor. BUT, how much more could they make by excelling one more year in college?
Is there a list of Rookies and their stats for the year in the Pro's? I will look for it, but I would love to see how many players knocked it out of the park their first and second year.
Regardless, I am with Roam! I think Penn State is in a very good position heading into 2021. I would not write off 2020 as bad season, I think it is was good season in more ways than one. They should have enough experience returning to come out of the gate fast and develop into a solid team by week 3 or 4. Not sure what Whisky has coming back, but it ain't that much better than what Penn State has returning.
GO STATE!!
