Penn State certainly is getting close to elite talent - they just don't stay long

[blion72]

Olu Fashanu would be an example. By the time this season ends, he may not have played a full season of 13 games in his career. Yet he is projected as first round. we were hoping to see him lined up with Tengwall, but as it turned out Landon was really never healthy himself, so we never saw what should have been an elite left side of the OL.

The list goes on = Micah Parsons (essentially played 2 season about 1.5 as a starter. Brandon Smith, Jason Oweh, etc. This combined with lots of departures, we seem to have high turnover. Maybe that is the same for every other team, and we just notice it as fans.

Bottom line is red shirts are kind of pointless for these elite players. Just play them when they can help as they might not be here. Save the red shirts for years where they are actually injured. The elite programs are playing guys early. The more pedestrian teams seem to keep their players, and in the COVID era have more of the 5 and 6 year players. If you recruit elite, not many are going to play beyond 3 years.

 

[LionInTheSouth]

I think this will soon change with NIL though, not just with Penn state but everywhere.

 

[marshall23]

I think this will soon change with NIL though, not just with Penn state but everywhere.

I agree that NIL may compete with 3rd or 4th round "potential" money. It isn't going to keep first round money in college.

 

[84lion]

To that point it seemed to me that I heard the word "freshman" used liberally during Saturday's game. Granted there were injuries and it was against Maryland but...the idea of players sticking around for four years is passe. I agree, play them immediately and use the portal as required. It's a new world, adapt or be eaten.

 

[Ram20]

OSU and Alabama's rosters get gutted every year. The key is to recruit/develop 3-4 guys that can play as well as Olu. If on occasion you have 1st round talent, you are basically Minnesota or Illinois. If you have a constant stream of it, you are in the playoff discussion every year. Not saying its easy to obtain, but the key is to have plenty of talented players at each position. I think we have improved our O-line depth significantly, other areas like LB, I don't see 1st/2nd round talent besides Carter. Any All-American type war daddy's on the defensive line?

 

[CyphaPSU]

We get some really good classes with elite talent scattered throughout. What we lack is getting elite talent in all position groups every recruiting cycle. That's how OSU, Georgia, and Alabama replenish their attrition each season.

 

[FrontierLion]

Bottom line is red shirts are kind of pointless for these elite players.

Agree. If they're top recruits coming out of HS, play them year one.

Does bring up an interesting discussion though... and I know it contradicts my point above...

If Penn State finishes 11-2, having won a New Year's six bowl, will we all admit it was the right decision to play Clifford over Allar? The vast majority of us (myself included) were complaining when Cliff made the announcement that he was coming back for his 15th season. I was ready to move on with the new 5* QB, no matter the growing pains that might have been involved.

But - assuming we win out - I'll be the first to admit that everything worked out OK. I'm ultimately a Penn State fan first and foremost. Player development, NFL prospects, etc., come secondary.

In my opinion, Drew got a decent amount of reps this season so far, having appeared in the majority of games. I think he got his feet wet enough to take the helm next year and feel pretty confident.