Some interesting discussion in this thread.
I'm in the camp that believes the RB situation may clear up somewhat between now and Spring practice, but will more likely only clear up next season. It will be interesting to see if any of the current RB's hit the portal before Spring practice, as I thought that one might be gone by now. But maybe they just love PSU? Cain was still not the RB this season he was as a freshman, but he obviously wants to be a featured back and will likely continue to work his way back. With Singleton and Allen enrolling and participating in Spring practice the behind the door depth chart at RB coming out of the Spring, pretty much known by the RB's, will likely be what will cause any to go out the door that really have a start or bust mentality. I am just not a big fan of Ford as he does not seem explosive enough to make a big impact given that he does not break a lot of tackles. So I'm hoping that Cain continues to recover to his former self and Lee, who seemed like the best performing RB with the ball in his hands this season, becomes a better blocker, and PSU goes into Fall practice with at least Singleton, Allen, Cain and Lee competing to become the feature back. Oh, and that that feature back gets at least 60% of the carries next season. I see Singleton being that feature back, but he may only share carries coming out of the gate next Fall, just like Barkley did.
I also believe Tarburton will be a starter at DE along with Isaac. And if Franklin and Diaz can get a transfer DE that DE will likely not have the impact that Ebiketie had. Franklin hit the jackpot with AK, but all B10 DE's don't usually grow on trees. Unlike some here, I still am not overly impressed with the play of Vilbert, although you have to give him credit for his 3 sack game and I look forward to his continued development. Vilbert may surprise me and start, but if he doesn't he should be a nice 3rd or 4th DE. With DDS and some young DE's such as Townley and Fisher developing, as well as the possibility that Talley may get some snaps as a pass rusher (if he does not end up at LB) I don't see DE as a dramatic need in the Portal.
As with DE, if Mustipher comes back strong, along with Izzard and Ellis who both got great experience and growth playing in his absence, and the the other returning DT's (Vanover, van den Berg, Mulbah,...), a portal DT will have to be an experienced high level player to push his way into the base rotation. A player like Tangelo or better.
I also agree that Fisher does not seem like the player at DE that he was at LB in high school when he was a pursue and destroy LB. So I'm hoping that Diaz moves him back to MLB this Spring, although I'm not optimistic that that will happen. I look for King to start at Mike in 2022, and I'm hoping that either a transfer or Buddin start at Sam. Elsdon got a good bit of complementary reviews from Franklin, but I have not seen him perform at a high level when he has had opportunities to play. Jacobs moving to Will seems to open up Sam for a transfer to compete with Sutherland and Buddin. The other option would be for a very good transfer LB to come in and start at Will, and allow Jacobs to remain at Sam. Jacobs is a dynamic athlete, and his speed, pursuit, and quick reactions do play well in space which is important at Sam. I have seen enough of Sutherland to believe he just does not read plays as they quickly develop well enough to start at Sam, and he also seems to take poor angles to tackles, so I hope he ends up as a backup Sam LB and just continues to shine on special teams.
After watching Tengwall play OT for 3 quarters earlier this season I was under the impression that he was destined to start at OT in 2022. But with the staff's confidence in Fashanu and Franklin's subsequent comments I'm also looking for Tengwall to start at guard in 2022, with Scruggs at Center. I'm hoping that some how another OT either comes in from the Portal, or someone like Christ develops this Spring, so that Wallace can move inside as the 2nd Guard with Tengwall.
The future at Safety is looking up with the athletes in the 2022 class, and with Brown, Ellis and Reed returning it will take a pretty high level Safety transfer to come in and start next to Brown. Young or the player from NW. Beyond them or another big time Safety becoming available I like the 3 returners manning the position with the true freshmen fighting to get on the field. The other player that could play Safety is Lytton, who reportedly played some Safety before transferring to PSU. Will be interesting to see if he is on the roster this Spring and in the Fall.
So with a very good WR signed, I see the OL and LB as the biggest priorities to improve the team via the Portal.
