Which Penn State football newcomer will steal the spring practice show on offense?
Penn State football opens spring practice on Tuesday. The Nittany Lions return numerous familiar faces in key roles for head coach James Franklin’s 10th season on the sidelines in State College. However, they also welcome many new faces to campus. A number of them play offense.
Blue-White Illustrated is prepping for spring practice by looking at numerous key questions facing the Lions. Today’s topic dives into the first-year players mentioned above.
Question: Which offensive newcomer are you most interested to see in action this spring?
Sean Fitz: A freshman lineman will make noise
Freshmen don’t typically come in and hop into the two-deep right away. But, there’s a fourth offensive tackle job up for grabs this spring. Top100 prospect Alex Birchmeier seems like the most ready of the three January enrollees on the offensive line to make a run for the spot. While he was listed as one of the nation’s top interior offensive line prospects by On3 in the Class of 2023, Penn State wants to give him a shot on the outside first to see if that could stick.
Birchmeier has the size, length, and athletic ability to play any of the five spots up front. His wrestling background showed up in winter workouts. The Penn State coaches hope that it can carry over to the practice field. Right now, the Nittany Lions have three tackles returning with starting experience, so Birchmeier will likely clash with veteran Jimmy Christ for the fourth spot.
Greg Pickel: A punter is the pick
Australian native Riley Thompson was a freshman All-America at Florida Atlantic last year. He is not your typical freshman, of course. In fact, he only has one year of eligibility remaining after transferring to Penn State during the offseason. The punter did thrive during his first season in college, however.
Top 10
- 1New
Michigan picks starter
Wolverines choose starting QB vs. Michigan State, per CBS
- 2Trending
Kyle McCord
Historically miserable night ends with self-sack
- 3
Paul Finebaum
Loss will have Bama singing R.E.M. classic
- 4
Isaiah Bond out
Texas WR expected to miss Saturday’s game at No. 25 Vanderbilt
- 5
Brady Cook questionable
Missouri QB status updated ahead of game vs. Alabama
Now, he comes to State College, where he’ll be on scholarship and battle Alex Bacchetta for the right to replace Barney Amor as the team’s starter. Why the Lions felt compelled to use a scholarship on another punter is not entirely clear. But, it adds a strong layer of intrigue to a position battle that will not be talked about as much as the others and yet will have as much of an impact on the 2023 season as any of them. It’s why Thompson is the pick here.
Nate Bauer: Penn State transfer addition is an easy choice
That my colleagues opted for a potential fourth offensive tackle and a punter among the most intriguing newcomers, clearing the runway for me, is so kind of them. Because, if we’re being honest here, not only is Malik McClain the most interesting newcomer to watch on offense, or among the newcomers as a whole, but also, the Florida State transfer receiver could prove to be one of the most interesting players on the team this spring, period.
Surely, the Nittany Lions have a vacancy for him to fill. With KeAndre Lambert-Smith finishing the season strongly, but big shoes to fill in the absences of Parker Washington and Mitch Tinsley, any and all signs of stability will be welcomed this spring. Early reviews in January and February were positive for McClain, both as a unique athlete in the room as well as in his cultural fit in the program. This month, he’s got an opportunity to back it up.
