Penn State man-crushes: BWI Daily

In honor of Valentine’s Day, the BWI Daily Edition lists its sports man-crushes. Today, host Thomas Frank Carr and reporter Nate Bauer will have some fun listing the players and figures in sports they admire the most. Check out the show below for Bauer’s full list, which includes basketball and football, spanning his time covering Penn State athletics. Here’s my list, which focuses on current Penn State players in no particular order.

Penn State football man-crushes

Tyler Warren

When describing a tight end, big, fast, and physical is an excellent place to start. Tyler Warren was a fan favorite in 2021 despite a limited role, thanks to his time as wildcat quarterback. What makes him such a likable character is that he doesn’t need a big spotlight to shine. He’s a dangerous redzone target for Penn State that can out-jump and out-physical players at the catch point for touchdowns outside of his debut role for the team.

However, he took a step back last season for various reasons. However, the biggest reason might be that he needed a true position for the team. Instead, he split time between the traditional tight end role and the H-back position, backing up Theo Johnson and Brenton Strange. While he shares characteristics with both spots, he might be a better H-back. Now that Strange is off to the NFL, he can win the position and prove he’s more than a situational player for the Nittany Lions.

Zakee Wheatley

Usually, a man-crush player has a defining trait that makes you appreciate their game beyond general appreciation. For Penn State safety Zakee Wheatly, fans already know and love his ability to generate turnovers. The former cornerback showed his knack for jumping routes early last season and demonstrated his skills in some of the biggest games in September.

Nate Bauer goes historical with his list on the BWI Daily

Watching him on film is incredibly fun because he’s such an intelligent player, probably too smart. His route recognition is good, but he wants to anticipate plays so much that he gambled more than he should have last season. Still, it’s fun to watch a player break rules intentionally instead of from a lack of awareness.

His patience as a man coverage defender is fun to watch as well. He never panics and waits for the receiver to declare his route before making a break. Wheatley has unique skills and, with his 6-2 frame, has the chance to develop into one of Penn State’s best boundary safeties down the road.

Jordan van den Berg

Jordan van den Berg fits the bill as a classic man-crush player because he’s the lone underdog on this list. The former South African native is still young in terms of football experience but plays the way you hope every player does. van den Berg is borderline reckless with his physicality and has a motor to match his quickness and strength. It’s fun to watch him fly around the field trying to make plays that defensive tackles usually don’t.

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If the former JUCO defensive end can play with more anticipation and technique, he could become a crucial cog up front for Penn State. While his reach is less desirable, he’s strong and stout at the point of attack. In addition, there’s a possibility he could serve as a rotational run-stuffer who wins through quickness and power rather than holding double teams. Either way, he can play either defensive tackle position and should be a part of the puzzle for next season.

Curtis Jacobs

Respect is a huge part of the equation, and I have a healthy dose of respect for Curtis Jacobs. The senior linebacker is a starter and central part of Penn State’s success last season. While he didn’t have the year he probably expected from an impact standpoint, he was still a good player.

The part that I find most impressive is his selflessness. While we don’t know the internal conversations leading up to him moving back to the Sam linebacker, he eventually did move back. By doing that, he opened up the opportunity for freshman Abdul Carter to play more at the Will spot. Like the boundary safety position, Will is the final destination for Penn State linebackers that aren’t Mike linebackers. Giving up snaps at that spot for the good of the team in a year when he was trying to make a name for himself in the NFL draft shows a maturity beyond his years.

It’s easy to be positive about the future

Dakaari Nelson

Man crushes also go great with a healthy side of the unknown. So for our last entry, we’ll look at a freshman player who is a blast to watch. Truthfully this spot could have gone to Elliot Washington or King Mack, but we’ll go with Penn State freshman safety Dakaari Nelson.

The 6-3 safety played corner in high school and looked good. Nelson had the hips and technique to stay with most receivers he covered his junior year. While he was supposed to play more safety during his senior season, the team used him as its eraser to help the defense eliminate offensive weapons.

At 195 pounds with an unconfirmed 4.47 40-yard dash in his back pocket, the sky’s the limit for Nelson at Penn State. Of course, he needs to improve his overall football understanding, but he’s coachable, bright, and insanely gifted. If he can fulfill his do-it-all potential, he could be one of the most fun players in a few years.