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Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher on his journey back to football: BWI Daily

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•08/24/22•

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MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 04: PJ Mustipher #97 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts to a defensive stop during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 04, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher injured his knee on Oct. 9 of last season. However, he was back and ready to participate in training camp in just around nine months. So, how did that process go, and how was training camp for the senior defensive tackle? That’s what the BWI Daily Edition discusses today after Mustipher spoke with the media on Tuesday night. Host Thomas Frank Carr breaks down what happened, how impressive Mustipher’s return to play timeline is and shows you what Mustipher had to say about his readiness to face Purdue on Sept. 1.

Mustipher’s journey back is impressive considering timeline

T-Frank starts the show by reviewing where Mustipher was at the start of camp and what milestones he had passed on his way back from injury. But now that he’s had a month of football, where is he physically? Finally, we hear from Mustipher about how the camp went and how he thought he performed.

Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher updates progress with camp over, Purdue on the horizon

Next, T-Frank explains why that’s such an impressive feat. He also explains why he’s confident Mustipher tore his ACL against Iowa last October and how hard it is to be ready in nine months for a player like Mustipher. What went into that? Mustipher explains what he learned about himself and adversity.

Finally, the Penn State team leader gives an update on what he can and can’t do against Purdue. He also hints at how the Penn State defensive line will rotate players this season.

Former Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki is a fish out of water with the Dolphins

Former Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki made a name for himself in Happy Valley for his acrobatic catches and field-stretching vertical speed. The 6-6, 250-pound athlete is a unique blend of size and skills, with an impressive vertical leap and 35-plus inch arms. In his first four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Gesicki caught 199 passes for 2,255 yards and 13 touchdowns.

But one thing he’s never been known for is his blocking.

That’s a significant issue now for Gesicki, with new head coach Mike McDaniel bringing Kyle Shanahan’s outside zone blocking scheme to the Dolphins. McDaniel’s scheme asks tight ends and fullbacks to do dirty work in the trenches and block defensive ends. It’s something Gesicki hasn’t done well at any point in his career and hasn’t done much in the last two seasons.

“It’s definitely a whole different offense, a whole different scheme. I’m learning a new position, honestly,” Gesicki told the Miami Herald after the game. So what does he mean by playing a different position?

Former Penn State star broke out with Dolphins in a new role

In the last two seasons, 1,203 of his offensive snaps have come from the slot or out wide. However, he’s only lined up as an inline tight end 221 times, according to PFF. So when he says he played a different position, he’s not overstating his role.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

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