http://www.scout.com/college/penn-state/story/1771731-mcgovern-psu-o-line-ready-to-lead-way
But in the eyes of new starting center Connor McGovern — all 6-foot-5, 313 pounds of him — the men up front have staked their collective claim as the leaders of the unit.
“We want to bring that physical aspect back,” the sophomore said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday. “We want to be the leading group. We don’t want Trace or Saquon or anyone else to have to lead the offense. We want to lead the offense first from up front.”
It took until last season for the unit to begin to make headway, as talented young linemen like McGovern (then a true freshman), and redshirt freshmen Ryan Bates and Steven Gonzalez worked their way into the starting lineup. This fall, the Lions will return six linemen with significantly starting experience.
“I think we’re gonna be one of the strong points this year on the team,” McGovern said. “We’re gonna be a lot more physical this year — bring that back.”
“We were physical at some points last year,” he said. “But definitely this year, we want to finish blocks, get guys on the ground, make the holes bigger — give Trace and Saquon bigger holes and easier reads. Just blowing guys off the ball.”
McGovern was an early enrollee at Penn State in 2016. He arrived on campus at 310 pounds but with nearly 25 percent body fat. Everything about his body and his game has transformed since then.
“It’s all coming along very well,” McGovern said.
That goes for his body, too, thanks to Penn State’s strength and nutrition programs. He now carries 313 pounds but has reduced his body fat percentage into the teens.
“I’ve put on a lot more muscle and lost a lot of fat,” he said.
But in the eyes of new starting center Connor McGovern — all 6-foot-5, 313 pounds of him — the men up front have staked their collective claim as the leaders of the unit.
“We want to bring that physical aspect back,” the sophomore said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday. “We want to be the leading group. We don’t want Trace or Saquon or anyone else to have to lead the offense. We want to lead the offense first from up front.”
It took until last season for the unit to begin to make headway, as talented young linemen like McGovern (then a true freshman), and redshirt freshmen Ryan Bates and Steven Gonzalez worked their way into the starting lineup. This fall, the Lions will return six linemen with significantly starting experience.
“I think we’re gonna be one of the strong points this year on the team,” McGovern said. “We’re gonna be a lot more physical this year — bring that back.”
“We were physical at some points last year,” he said. “But definitely this year, we want to finish blocks, get guys on the ground, make the holes bigger — give Trace and Saquon bigger holes and easier reads. Just blowing guys off the ball.”
McGovern was an early enrollee at Penn State in 2016. He arrived on campus at 310 pounds but with nearly 25 percent body fat. Everything about his body and his game has transformed since then.
“It’s all coming along very well,” McGovern said.
That goes for his body, too, thanks to Penn State’s strength and nutrition programs. He now carries 313 pounds but has reduced his body fat percentage into the teens.
“I’ve put on a lot more muscle and lost a lot of fat,” he said.