Which defenders could be 'X-factors' in Penn State-Ohio State?: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for Oct. 20 include more previews ahead of the Lions’ meeting with Ohio State plus much more.
It’s time to dive into Thursday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
The Internet is awash with local and national previews of Saturday’s biggest game in college football between Penn State and Ohio State. One of them, from ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, featured a pair of “X-Factor picks.”
“First, Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter, a player who had a lot of attention entering the season and has been relatively quiet with 15 tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and an interception,” Rittenberg writes. “Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz told me Carter’s understanding of where he fits in the system has improved. “Some weeks, that’s going to show up in the stat line and some weeks, it’s not. He’s also been able to branch out. He’s now able to play the [weakside] position for us and the [middle linebacker] position, in addition to his role that he plays for us on third down. The more ways he can help and be versatile like that, the more ways he can help us.”
Another player who could be poised to break out is Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr., who will be facing a solid PSU offensive front. “He’s got a lot of power,” a Big Ten offensive coordinator told me. “Those low center of bodies, short guys, are sometimes the hardest guys to block because they can control their bodies a little bit better because they’re lower. It’s like a running back.”
Top 10
- 1
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 2Trending
Dan Lanning
Oregon coach getting NFL buzz
- 3
Bryce Underwood
Michigan prepared to offer No. 1 recruit $10.5M over 4 years
- 4Hot
5-star flip
Ole Miss flips Alabama WR commit Caleb Cunningham
- 5
Second CFP Top 25
Newest CFP rankings are out
In other news, Lions quarterback Drew Allar has been named to the Maxwell Award watch list. It goes to the best player in college football.
Headlines of the day
Caleb Williams and Olu Fashanu could make NFL draft history: Dinich, ESPN
Penn State vs. Ohio State Predictions: What should fans expect against the Buckeyes?: Snyder, BWI
Inside the Senior Bowl Week 7 scouting notebook: Eight 2024 NFL draft prospects generating buzz: Zenitz, On3
Scouting Director Charles Power breaks down three 2025 Pennsylvania prospects who joined On300 this week: Snyder, On3
NFL Draft Watch: Who are the top prospects in Saturday’s Penn State-Ohio State showdown?: Brugler, The Athletic
Penn State safeties coach Anthony Poindexter talks King Mack, Ohio State offense, and more: Pickel, BWI
James Franklin considers explosive runs to be 12 yards or more … so how is Penn State doing?: Flounders, PennLive
Quote of the day
“We’ve been on the record saying Johnson was the Senior Bowl’s top-graded returning tight end this year based off his 2022 tape. He’s been somewhat quiet statistically this year (12 catches for 101 yards before last week) but had a breakout game last Saturday with four receptions for 66 yards and two TDs. Aside from one bad focus drop, Johnson caught the ball well on a sloppy wet day in Beaver Stadium. Big, fluid athlete that can get down the seam. Expected to test very well at the Combine.
“Not an exact player-for-player comp, but the high-end tools and frame remind me of 2023 Senior Bowler and Green Bay Packers second-rounder Luke Musgrave. Johnson is another player that could be a riser once we get to the spring.”
–Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy on Lions tight end Theo Johnson.
