https://www.landof10.com/penn-state...g-pieces-together-sustained-offensive-success
So how will the offense fare beyond 2017? Based on roster projections and an influx of highly touted prospects, Penn State can anticipate pieces in place for the deepest depth chart on that side of the ball in a long time.
Remember, Moorhead and his fellow Nittany Lions staff members led the team to school-best production while operating with a roster still feeling the effects of previous scholarship sanctions. Each passing recruiting cycle brings Penn State closer to a full stockpile of top-tier talent, and the 2017 signees should help make a difference.
Incoming QB Sean Clifford was a 2016 Elite 11 finalist. The St. Xavier (Cincinnati) High School product, listed No. 8 among pro-style passers in 247Sports’ 2017 composite rankings, adds to a quarterback room that features 2017 spring game offensive MVP Tommy Stevens.
https://twitter.com/TDsTake
Detroit-area WR K.J. Hamler was practically uncoverable throughout a national camp circuit before his senior season at IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). His short-area quickness and straight-line speed provide Penn State with a dynamic option in the short- and long-distance passing games.
Hamler and redshirt sophomore Juwan Johnson — a 2017 spring camp star — are primed to play big roles as things progress. Instant-impact potential also exists in the trenches, where a group of blockers headlined by early enrollee Michael Miranda and top-100 2017 recruit C.J. Thorpe add options.
RB Journey Brown, a late addition to the 2017 class, brings world-class speed to a Penn State backfield that also features promising sophomore Miles Sanders. Brown rushed for more than 7,000 yards and 100 touchdowns in high school, and he set a Pennsylvania high school record last Saturday by finishing the 100-meter dash in 10.43 seconds at the state track and field championships.
With all due respect to the 2017 signees, Franklin is in the process of putting together a 2018 offensive haul that rivals any in college football. The group includes five top-100 overall prospects in the 247Sports’ composite rankings, led by 5-star QB Justin Fields.
This 6-foot-3, 221-pound playmaker from Harrison (Kennesaw, Ga.) High is considered the No. 6 overall recruit and is charging hard toward Clemson commit Trevor Lawrence for the top spot among quarterbacks. Still pursued by schools such as Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and LSU, Fields committed to Penn State in December.
“Even though he’s a 5-star recruit, I’m still not sure people fully understand what Justin brings to the table,” Nittany Lions linebacker pledge Jesse Luketa told Land of 10. “He’s one of the most athletic individuals I’ve ever seen. The kid is gifted, and when he steps foot on campus, he’s going to impress a lot of people. His film doesn’t lie, and he’s going to dominate.”
Shorter is just one of four blue-chip skill position players who offer potential as Fields’ future supporting cast. The 6-4, 216-pound pass target has dominated showcase camps this spring and now sits at No. 8 among receivers in composite rankings.
“Justin is the type of receiver who can get open no matter what,” Elite 11 finalist Devin Leary said after throwing his way at multiple spring camps. “It seems as if wherever you throw the ball – even if it’s behind him or a little above his head – he’s going to come down with it. As a quarterback, a guy like him makes your job 10 times easier.”
Penn State also holds pledges from top-10 tight end prospects Pat Freiermuth and Zack Kuntz, who earned a Pennsylvania state title in 110-meter hurdles last Saturday.
Kuntz and Shorter received an invitation to The Opening finals, to be held June 28-July 3 in Beaverton, Ore., at Nike’s world headquarters. They will be joined by 5-star RB commit Ricky Slade, who follows a path to Happy Valley like former fellow Virginia rushers Tony Hunt and Evan Royster did.
The No. 1 all-purpose back in composite rankings, Slade is also an asset downfield (25 receptions and 4 touchdown catches last fall, per MaxPreps). He averaged 9.2 yards per carry as a junior, rushing for 1,509 yards and 16 scores in 10 games.
Slade and Fields combine to create 10-star backfield potential, a rarity on the recruiting landscape.
Of course, it’s important to note each of these standouts will have a difficult time finding the end zone without quality protection up front. Penn State picked up three offensive linemen during a two-week span this spring — Nana Asiedu of Virginia, Bryce Effner of Illinois and Antwan Reed of Michigan.
Asiedu, considered the No. 6 offensive tackle in composite rankings, carries the most clout. He leads a trio that will be counted on to help maintain positive momentum among Nittany Lions linemen.
Penn State surrendered 83 total sacks during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The Nittany Lions cut that number to 24 during Moorhead’s first year on campus.
Aside from players who are already on board with the 2018 class, Penn State is in good shape for other possible offensive additions. This list includes 4-star WR Jahan Dotson of New Jersey, 4-star OT Rasheed Walker of Maryland and 6-9, 290-pound junior college OT T.J. Bradley.
If things go according to plan and health remains intact, the Nittany Lions should field one of college football’s most potent offenses this fall. Ultimately, the goal for Franklin & Co. is geared toward long-term contention. Consistent efforts on the recruiting trail should keep Beaver Stadium scoreboard operators busy for years to come.
So how will the offense fare beyond 2017? Based on roster projections and an influx of highly touted prospects, Penn State can anticipate pieces in place for the deepest depth chart on that side of the ball in a long time.
Remember, Moorhead and his fellow Nittany Lions staff members led the team to school-best production while operating with a roster still feeling the effects of previous scholarship sanctions. Each passing recruiting cycle brings Penn State closer to a full stockpile of top-tier talent, and the 2017 signees should help make a difference.
Incoming QB Sean Clifford was a 2016 Elite 11 finalist. The St. Xavier (Cincinnati) High School product, listed No. 8 among pro-style passers in 247Sports’ 2017 composite rankings, adds to a quarterback room that features 2017 spring game offensive MVP Tommy Stevens.
https://twitter.com/TDsTake
Detroit-area WR K.J. Hamler was practically uncoverable throughout a national camp circuit before his senior season at IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). His short-area quickness and straight-line speed provide Penn State with a dynamic option in the short- and long-distance passing games.
Hamler and redshirt sophomore Juwan Johnson — a 2017 spring camp star — are primed to play big roles as things progress. Instant-impact potential also exists in the trenches, where a group of blockers headlined by early enrollee Michael Miranda and top-100 2017 recruit C.J. Thorpe add options.
RB Journey Brown, a late addition to the 2017 class, brings world-class speed to a Penn State backfield that also features promising sophomore Miles Sanders. Brown rushed for more than 7,000 yards and 100 touchdowns in high school, and he set a Pennsylvania high school record last Saturday by finishing the 100-meter dash in 10.43 seconds at the state track and field championships.
With all due respect to the 2017 signees, Franklin is in the process of putting together a 2018 offensive haul that rivals any in college football. The group includes five top-100 overall prospects in the 247Sports’ composite rankings, led by 5-star QB Justin Fields.
This 6-foot-3, 221-pound playmaker from Harrison (Kennesaw, Ga.) High is considered the No. 6 overall recruit and is charging hard toward Clemson commit Trevor Lawrence for the top spot among quarterbacks. Still pursued by schools such as Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and LSU, Fields committed to Penn State in December.
“Even though he’s a 5-star recruit, I’m still not sure people fully understand what Justin brings to the table,” Nittany Lions linebacker pledge Jesse Luketa told Land of 10. “He’s one of the most athletic individuals I’ve ever seen. The kid is gifted, and when he steps foot on campus, he’s going to impress a lot of people. His film doesn’t lie, and he’s going to dominate.”
Shorter is just one of four blue-chip skill position players who offer potential as Fields’ future supporting cast. The 6-4, 216-pound pass target has dominated showcase camps this spring and now sits at No. 8 among receivers in composite rankings.
“Justin is the type of receiver who can get open no matter what,” Elite 11 finalist Devin Leary said after throwing his way at multiple spring camps. “It seems as if wherever you throw the ball – even if it’s behind him or a little above his head – he’s going to come down with it. As a quarterback, a guy like him makes your job 10 times easier.”
Penn State also holds pledges from top-10 tight end prospects Pat Freiermuth and Zack Kuntz, who earned a Pennsylvania state title in 110-meter hurdles last Saturday.
Kuntz and Shorter received an invitation to The Opening finals, to be held June 28-July 3 in Beaverton, Ore., at Nike’s world headquarters. They will be joined by 5-star RB commit Ricky Slade, who follows a path to Happy Valley like former fellow Virginia rushers Tony Hunt and Evan Royster did.
The No. 1 all-purpose back in composite rankings, Slade is also an asset downfield (25 receptions and 4 touchdown catches last fall, per MaxPreps). He averaged 9.2 yards per carry as a junior, rushing for 1,509 yards and 16 scores in 10 games.
Slade and Fields combine to create 10-star backfield potential, a rarity on the recruiting landscape.
Of course, it’s important to note each of these standouts will have a difficult time finding the end zone without quality protection up front. Penn State picked up three offensive linemen during a two-week span this spring — Nana Asiedu of Virginia, Bryce Effner of Illinois and Antwan Reed of Michigan.
Asiedu, considered the No. 6 offensive tackle in composite rankings, carries the most clout. He leads a trio that will be counted on to help maintain positive momentum among Nittany Lions linemen.
Penn State surrendered 83 total sacks during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The Nittany Lions cut that number to 24 during Moorhead’s first year on campus.
Aside from players who are already on board with the 2018 class, Penn State is in good shape for other possible offensive additions. This list includes 4-star WR Jahan Dotson of New Jersey, 4-star OT Rasheed Walker of Maryland and 6-9, 290-pound junior college OT T.J. Bradley.
If things go according to plan and health remains intact, the Nittany Lions should field one of college football’s most potent offenses this fall. Ultimately, the goal for Franklin & Co. is geared toward long-term contention. Consistent efforts on the recruiting trail should keep Beaver Stadium scoreboard operators busy for years to come.
