Question: Who's Next to Wear the Stix?

[Thorndike2021]

The #11 was talked about a LOT during the playoff run. It is possibly the next great PSU/LBU tradition. So, how is it determined who will wear 11?

Does the staff hold that out there to possibly bring in a stud from the portal?

Do you hand that to someone like Rojas and pray he grows into it?

Has the 'process' been explained and I've missed it?

 

[Lionville]

Junior.

 

[MtNittany]

Lavar Jr. was born to wear that number.

 

[BobPSU92]

Knowles is getting rid of it.

 

[OptionBob]

Max Granville

 

[Thorndike2021]

I'm not ready to sew an 'S' on junior's chest yet. I've seen his tape and he's not his father. He's also about 40 lbs too light. As of right now junior isn't ready for BiG play let alone being anointed the next chosen one.

Does Bragalone have any remaining eligibility?

 

[psuro]

Allar

 

[bdgan]

PSU is going to retire #11 in honor of McGloin

 

[LionsAndBears]

Rojas will be our best LB next year. The kid gets way too much crap for missed tackles while playing with 1 arm all year. Once healthy, he's going to be a stud and future NFL LB. Give him the number if he wants it.

 

[psuro]

Rojas will be our best LB next year. The kid gets way too much crap for missed tackles while playing with 1 arm all year. Once healthy, he's going to be a stud and future NFL LB. Give him the number if he wants it.

The BWICAC Subcommittee on Jersey Numbers will take this under advisement.

 

[Achowalogan]

11 does not have to be used every year…if there is a legitimate 11, use the number, if not, let potential candidates work for the honor of wearing 11…

 

[Psumatt85]

The #11 was talked about a LOT during the playoff run. It is possibly the next great PSU/LBU tradition. So, how is it determined who will wear 11?

Does the staff hold that out there to possibly bring in a stud from the portal?

Do you hand that to someone like Rojas and pray he grows into it?

Has the 'process' been explained and I've missed it?

Noah Kahan

 

[LionJim]

11 does not have to be used every year…if there is a legitimate 11, use the number, if not, let potential candidates work for the honor of wearing 11…

Way back in the day, pre B1G, there was this hs basketball player, whose name is lost in the mists of time, being recruited by both American U and PSU. He picked PSU. The AU coach was flabbergasted and approached the player to ask why he picked PSU after having told the coach that AU was a perfect fit. “PSU is letting me wear #23, and AU couldn’t promise me that.” This is the story I remember.

 

[Bison13]

Way back in the day, pre B1G, there was this hs basketball player, whose name is lost in the mists of time, being recruited by both American U and PSU. He picked PSU. The AU coach was flabbergasted and approached the player to ask why he picked PSU after having told the coach that AU was a perfect fit. “PSU is letting me wear #23, and AU couldn’t promise me that.” This is the story I remember.

I don’t think anybody would be surprised to learn that this happens quite a bit these days. Kids absolutely ask on recruiting visits if they are going to be able to wear a specific number.

 

[LionJim]

I don’t think anybody would be surprised to learn that this happens quite a bit these days. Kids absolutely ask on recruiting visits if they are going to be able to wear a specific number.

I guess my larger point is that #11 is a hell of a recruiting carrot.

 

[BobPSU92]

I guess my larger point is that #11 is a hell of a recruiting carrot.

I’m waiting for a five-star player to insist on wearing #22 at PSU. That will put an end to the retired number horse-a$$.

 

[Thorndike2021]

11 does not have to be used every year…if there is a legitimate 11, use the number, if not, let potential candidates work for the honor of wearing 11…

I guess this is the direction that I'm leaning at this point. Maybe you get lucky with some stud ILB from the portal (something we really need!) shows interest this Spring and #11 is the carrot. *shrug*

 

[BobPSU92]

I guess this is the direction that I'm leaning at this point. Maybe you get lucky with some stud ILB from the portal (something we really need!) shows interest this Spring and #11 is the carrot. *shrug*

“And coach, put my name on the back or I’m going to ohio state.”

 

[NittanyBuff]

The #11 was talked about a LOT during the playoff run. It is possibly the next great PSU/LBU tradition. So, how is it determined who will wear 11?

Does the staff hold that out there to possibly bring in a stud from the portal?

Do you hand that to someone like Rojas and pray he grows into it?

Has the 'process' been explained and I've missed it?

Who is wearing 31, just as important, nice to have 2 great numbers over the course of history.

 

[Achowalogan]

“And coach, put my name on the back or I’m going to ohio state.”

Great. Go to Ohio State…if you need your - look at me - name on the back of your jersey…you don’t belong in a Penn State jersey

 

[MacNit]

Rojas will be our best LB next year. The kid gets way too much crap for missed tackles while playing with 1 arm all year. Once healthy, he's going to be a stud and future NFL LB. Give him the number if he wants it.

Injury?

 

[Sunshinedynomite 1]

DDS

 

[LionsAndBears]

Injury?

Yes, he had an undisclosed injury for most of the year which didn't keep him from playing but did limit his ability on the field.

 

[MtNittany]

I've never looked at the roster history, but I'm sure some non-AA's wore 11 between Lavar and Carter. Seems that it was noticed rather recently - say a decade ago - that Bowman was a stud and he and Lavar both wore 11, and grew from there.

But I don't remember ever discussing it in real time or even thinking about it.

 

[OptionBob]

I've never looked at the roster history, but I'm sure some non-AA's wore 11 between Lavar and Carter. Seems that it was noticed rather recently - say a decade ago - that Bowman was a stud and he and Lavar both wore 11, and grew from there.

But I don't remember ever discussing it in real time or even thinking about it.

Agree. I'm guessing that the whole "double sticks" thing is viewed as a recruiting tool, capitalizing on the NFL success of Arrignton and Parsons (and should include Bowman, as you say as well).

I've never really liked the idea of "retiring" numbers for college football, since rosters are so large and the number availability limited. I'm sure almost all Penn State fans admire and love John Cappelletti; however, his #22 should be available to future players, even if limited to only RBs.

I've mentioned before that #31 is certainly as good as or perhaps even historically better than #11 for linebackers. Andre Collins, Shane Conlan, and Paul Posluszny can stand toe to toe with Arrington, Bowman, and Parsons, especially when one considers only their respective careers at Penn State, not in the NFL.

 

[Catch1lion]

In a slight surprise, as a Freshman , from
The get go . ….

 

[BobPSU92]

In a slight surprise …

LaVar Arrington II 11

 

[Midnighter]

In a slight surprise, as a Freshman , from
The get go . ….

 

[Catch1lion]

Coupla (Coal Region speak) cool pics

 

[Thorndike2021]

I guess I'm surprised. Bewildered may be more accurate. That said it's just a number. I hope Jr. can grow into it.

 

[wbcbus]

I don't get the surprise here. The past #11s all got that number from the get-go, I don't understand this belief that they had to do something else on the field first, then they got it. Not the case. LaVar Jr. is our top LB recruit in this class, and it's fitting he gets it.

LaVar II is the #259 player nationally and #29 LB. Abdul Carter was #222 and LB #22, and there was no debate about whether he should be allowed to wear it. Whether LaVar Jr meets the st1x standard or not is irrelevant to whether he deserves to wear it, and he does.

 

[OptionBob]

I don't get the surprise here. The past #11s all got that number from the get-go, I don't understand this belief that they had to do something else on the field first, then they got it. Not the case. LaVar Jr. is our top LB recruit in this class, and it's fitting he gets it.

LaVar II is the #259 player nationally and #29 LB. Abdul Carter was #222 and LB #22, and there was no debate about whether he should be allowed to wear it. Whether LaVar Jr meets the st1x standard or not is irrelevant to whether he deserves to wear it, and he does.

Well, Navarro Bowman began his career with #18.

Brandon Bell began with #26.

Both changed to #11 after success on the field.

 

[wbcbus]

Well, Navarro Bowman began his career with #18.

Brandon Bell began with #26.

Both changed to #11 after success on the field.

I was incorrect to say "all" then. But it has not been an always thing, including the most recent who was similarly rated as Arrington coming out of HS.