Some Interesting Penn State Notes.
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The Ancient Enemy
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Some Interesting Penn State Notes.
Copied and pasted notes from BWI:
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Zordich, who played on both offense (fullback) and defense (inside linebacker) in spring practice, was redshirted this fall. It is expected that he'll be in the 2009 spring practice session at Dan Lawlor's fullback position in the Nittany Lions' offense.
Beachum and Mauti have played on the punt and kickoff cover teams and have been listed on the depth chart at running back and linebacker, respectively, since the season opened against Coastal Carolina on Aug. 31.
Along with redshirt freshman Nate Stupar, Beachum and Mauti have become two of Penn State's most feared competitors on the Nittany Lions' kickoff coverage unit.
All seven of Beachum's seven credited tackles have come on the kickoff coverage unit. Beachum is also the Nittany Lions' sixth-leading rusher, totaling 107 yards on 25 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per carry.
Mauti, just like Stupar, is a true headhunter on Penn State's kickoff coverage unit. Going into this past Saturday's game with Michigan State, Mauti had been credited with 21 total tackles, one sack, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble.
Mauti's aggressive 'no-holds-barred' approach to the game was put on display in the second quarter of the game against Michigan back on Oct. 18.
Mauti was inserted into the lineup for senior Tyrell Sales at outside linebacker after the Wolverines had gashed the Nittany Lions' defense for 141 rushing yards and 17 points in their first three possessions.
Once Mauti and Gbadyu were inserted into the lineup for Sales and Hull, Michigan had eight consecutive series without a first down and 38 total yards of offense.
"Michael (Mauti) gives 110 percent on every play whether its on special teams or at linebacker," defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said after the Michigan game. "He's aggressive and he loves to hit. He just gave us a different tempo at linebacker along with Bani when we needed it."
The three other members of Penn State's freshman class of 2008 that have played this fall and presently reside on the Nittany Lions' official depth chart are: Defensive end Jack Crawford, left cornerback Lynn and left offensive tackle Pannell.
The fact that Crawford and Pannell were not redshirted from the first day they stepped on campus back in late June has to be the biggest surprise related to Penn State's freshman class of 2008.
Crawford is presently listed as the third-team left defensive end behind Aaron Maybin and Maurice Evans.
Crawford has played in all 12 games this season. He first stepped onto the field against Coastal Carolina in Penn State's 2008 season opener at the left defensive end, but quickly was moved to defensive tackle for the next game, against Oregon State, when Evans and Abe Koroma ended up being suspended for three games.
"He (Crawford) probably has as much upside potential as any member of our freshman class," Bradley said. "It's kind of amazing how far he has progressed."
When Crawford arrived on Penn State's campus in June from St. Augustine High School in Richland, N.J., Crawford had only played two years of organized football.
Crawford arrived at St. Augustine before his junior year in high school from London, England. He had come to the United States to refine his basketball prowess, and Crawford was a member of England's Junior National Team.
Since his arrival on campus, Crawford has added 16 pounds to his frame and now tips the scales at 266 pounds.
Against Indiana last week, when Josh Gaines discovered he couldn't go against the Hoosiers because of a high ankle sprain, Crawford saw more minutes.
Going into the Michigan State game, Crawford was credited with just four total tackles and two broken up passes, but next to January enrollees, Beachum and Mauti, Crawford has been the most productive freshman on the field this fall.
Maybe next to Crawford, Pannell has to be the biggest overachiever from Penn State's freshman class of 2008.
Pannell entered the Nittany Lions' game with Michigan State this past Saturday listed as the No. 2 left offensive tackle on the depth chart behind Gerald Cadogan.
As surprising as Crawford has been at strongside defensive end his freshman year this fall, the same exact thing can be said of Pannell.
At 6-foot-5, 295 pounds and having an 83-inch wingspan, Pannell possesses the perfect physical dimensions to play the left offensive tackle position and protect the quarterback's blind side.
Off the record, the praise for Pannell has been off the charts. One BWI contact told me in late October he felt Pannell was better than former Nittany Lion All-American Levi Brown with a number of aspects in his game.
I've been told Pannell right now has the inside track to take over Cadogan's starting left tackle spot on the offensive line next season.
In fact, I've been told it would probably be a big upset if Pannell didn't become a three-year starter, beginning next fall.
Finally, the last member of Penn State's freshman class of 2008 to see playing time this fall and find a place on the Nittany Lions' official depth chart is Lynn.
Lynn entered the Nittany Lions' game against Michigan State last Saturday ranked as No. 2 at the left cornerback spot and returned one punt for 10 yards against Temple back on Sept. 20.
Despite the limited amount of time Lynn has seen at the left cornerback spot this fall, he is considered to be the definite frontrunner to take over Davis' starting left cornerback position next fall.
Also, the fact Crawford and Pannell have progressed beyond everyone's expectations just might show Penn State's assistant coaches really do know how to evaluate talent.
What follows is a complete list of Penn State's 14 members of its class of 2008 with a brief sketch regarding their progress this fall.
Penn State's Class of 2008
Brandon Beachum (6-0, 221/RB) — Listed as the third-team running back behind Royster and Green. Has played in all 12 games on special teams.
Jack Crawford (6-5, 266/DE) — Listed as the third-team left defensive end behind Maybin and Evans. Has played in all 12 games this season. Class of 2008's biggest surprise on defense.
Mike Farrell (6-6, 285/OL) — Has practiced at the left offensive tackle position on the foreign team.
D'Anton Lynn (6-1, 190/CB) — Is one of five freshman to see action this fall. Is listed second on the depth chart behind Davis at left cornerback position in the secondary.
Pete Massaro (6-4, 265/DL) — Has practiced on the foreign team at both the three-technique defensive tackle position and the strongside defensive end position on the foreign team.
Michael Mauti (6-2, 228/LB) — Is the most visible freshman in the class. Is a special teams terror and listed as the third-team Sam outside linebacker behind Bowman and Gbadyu.
DeOn'Tae Pannell (6-5, 295/OT) — Biggest surprise on offense among the freshmen. Is listed second team behind Cadogan at left tackle. Projected to play at 6-5, 310 in 2009.
A.J. Price (6-4, 178/WR) — Didn't arrive on campus until Aug. 1 because of NCAA clearinghouse problem. Has added eight pounds this fall. Explosive sub-4.5 40-yard speed.
Matt Stankiewitch (6-4, 300/OL) — Has practiced at both offensive guard and center position on the offensive line on the scout team. Next to Pannell, the most advanced offensive line prospect among the freshmen.
James Terry (6-3, 331/OL and DL) — Weight has held Terry back some this fall. Has practiced at defensive tackle and offensive guard on the foreign team.
Brandon Ware (6-3, 345/OL) — Could be the biggest surprise among freshmen at 2009 spring practice session. Joe Paterno wants Ware at 330 pounds. Reported to be unblockable at times at nose tackle position on the scout team.
Mark Wedderburn (6-6, 242/TE) — Has all the physical tools but needs to develop consistency. Frame to carry 260 pounds. Practiced at tight end position on foreign team.
Mike Yancich (6-2, 228/LB) — Elbow injury this summer forced him to be redshirted. Practiced at Sam and Fritz outside linebacker positions on the foreign team. Rated equal to Zordich and Mauti.
Michael Zordich Jr. (6-1, 256/RB and LB) — Practiced at fullback position on offense and inside linebacker position on defense in spring practice and foreign team this fall. Was redshirted this fall.
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Zordich, who played on both offense (fullback) and defense (inside linebacker) in spring practice, was redshirted this fall. It is expected that he'll be in the 2009 spring practice session at Dan Lawlor's fullback position in the Nittany Lions' offense.
Beachum and Mauti have played on the punt and kickoff cover teams and have been listed on the depth chart at running back and linebacker, respectively, since the season opened against Coastal Carolina on Aug. 31.
Along with redshirt freshman Nate Stupar, Beachum and Mauti have become two of Penn State's most feared competitors on the Nittany Lions' kickoff coverage unit.
All seven of Beachum's seven credited tackles have come on the kickoff coverage unit. Beachum is also the Nittany Lions' sixth-leading rusher, totaling 107 yards on 25 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per carry.
Mauti, just like Stupar, is a true headhunter on Penn State's kickoff coverage unit. Going into this past Saturday's game with Michigan State, Mauti had been credited with 21 total tackles, one sack, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble.
Mauti's aggressive 'no-holds-barred' approach to the game was put on display in the second quarter of the game against Michigan back on Oct. 18.
Mauti was inserted into the lineup for senior Tyrell Sales at outside linebacker after the Wolverines had gashed the Nittany Lions' defense for 141 rushing yards and 17 points in their first three possessions.
Once Mauti and Gbadyu were inserted into the lineup for Sales and Hull, Michigan had eight consecutive series without a first down and 38 total yards of offense.
"Michael (Mauti) gives 110 percent on every play whether its on special teams or at linebacker," defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said after the Michigan game. "He's aggressive and he loves to hit. He just gave us a different tempo at linebacker along with Bani when we needed it."
The three other members of Penn State's freshman class of 2008 that have played this fall and presently reside on the Nittany Lions' official depth chart are: Defensive end Jack Crawford, left cornerback Lynn and left offensive tackle Pannell.
The fact that Crawford and Pannell were not redshirted from the first day they stepped on campus back in late June has to be the biggest surprise related to Penn State's freshman class of 2008.
Crawford is presently listed as the third-team left defensive end behind Aaron Maybin and Maurice Evans.
Crawford has played in all 12 games this season. He first stepped onto the field against Coastal Carolina in Penn State's 2008 season opener at the left defensive end, but quickly was moved to defensive tackle for the next game, against Oregon State, when Evans and Abe Koroma ended up being suspended for three games.
"He (Crawford) probably has as much upside potential as any member of our freshman class," Bradley said. "It's kind of amazing how far he has progressed."
When Crawford arrived on Penn State's campus in June from St. Augustine High School in Richland, N.J., Crawford had only played two years of organized football.
Crawford arrived at St. Augustine before his junior year in high school from London, England. He had come to the United States to refine his basketball prowess, and Crawford was a member of England's Junior National Team.
Since his arrival on campus, Crawford has added 16 pounds to his frame and now tips the scales at 266 pounds.
Against Indiana last week, when Josh Gaines discovered he couldn't go against the Hoosiers because of a high ankle sprain, Crawford saw more minutes.
Going into the Michigan State game, Crawford was credited with just four total tackles and two broken up passes, but next to January enrollees, Beachum and Mauti, Crawford has been the most productive freshman on the field this fall.
Maybe next to Crawford, Pannell has to be the biggest overachiever from Penn State's freshman class of 2008.
Pannell entered the Nittany Lions' game with Michigan State this past Saturday listed as the No. 2 left offensive tackle on the depth chart behind Gerald Cadogan.
As surprising as Crawford has been at strongside defensive end his freshman year this fall, the same exact thing can be said of Pannell.
At 6-foot-5, 295 pounds and having an 83-inch wingspan, Pannell possesses the perfect physical dimensions to play the left offensive tackle position and protect the quarterback's blind side.
Off the record, the praise for Pannell has been off the charts. One BWI contact told me in late October he felt Pannell was better than former Nittany Lion All-American Levi Brown with a number of aspects in his game.
I've been told Pannell right now has the inside track to take over Cadogan's starting left tackle spot on the offensive line next season.
In fact, I've been told it would probably be a big upset if Pannell didn't become a three-year starter, beginning next fall.
Finally, the last member of Penn State's freshman class of 2008 to see playing time this fall and find a place on the Nittany Lions' official depth chart is Lynn.
Lynn entered the Nittany Lions' game against Michigan State last Saturday ranked as No. 2 at the left cornerback spot and returned one punt for 10 yards against Temple back on Sept. 20.
Despite the limited amount of time Lynn has seen at the left cornerback spot this fall, he is considered to be the definite frontrunner to take over Davis' starting left cornerback position next fall.
Also, the fact Crawford and Pannell have progressed beyond everyone's expectations just might show Penn State's assistant coaches really do know how to evaluate talent.
What follows is a complete list of Penn State's 14 members of its class of 2008 with a brief sketch regarding their progress this fall.
Penn State's Class of 2008
Brandon Beachum (6-0, 221/RB) — Listed as the third-team running back behind Royster and Green. Has played in all 12 games on special teams.
Jack Crawford (6-5, 266/DE) — Listed as the third-team left defensive end behind Maybin and Evans. Has played in all 12 games this season. Class of 2008's biggest surprise on defense.
Mike Farrell (6-6, 285/OL) — Has practiced at the left offensive tackle position on the foreign team.
D'Anton Lynn (6-1, 190/CB) — Is one of five freshman to see action this fall. Is listed second on the depth chart behind Davis at left cornerback position in the secondary.
Pete Massaro (6-4, 265/DL) — Has practiced on the foreign team at both the three-technique defensive tackle position and the strongside defensive end position on the foreign team.
Michael Mauti (6-2, 228/LB) — Is the most visible freshman in the class. Is a special teams terror and listed as the third-team Sam outside linebacker behind Bowman and Gbadyu.
DeOn'Tae Pannell (6-5, 295/OT) — Biggest surprise on offense among the freshmen. Is listed second team behind Cadogan at left tackle. Projected to play at 6-5, 310 in 2009.
A.J. Price (6-4, 178/WR) — Didn't arrive on campus until Aug. 1 because of NCAA clearinghouse problem. Has added eight pounds this fall. Explosive sub-4.5 40-yard speed.
Matt Stankiewitch (6-4, 300/OL) — Has practiced at both offensive guard and center position on the offensive line on the scout team. Next to Pannell, the most advanced offensive line prospect among the freshmen.
James Terry (6-3, 331/OL and DL) — Weight has held Terry back some this fall. Has practiced at defensive tackle and offensive guard on the foreign team.
Brandon Ware (6-3, 345/OL) — Could be the biggest surprise among freshmen at 2009 spring practice session. Joe Paterno wants Ware at 330 pounds. Reported to be unblockable at times at nose tackle position on the scout team.
Mark Wedderburn (6-6, 242/TE) — Has all the physical tools but needs to develop consistency. Frame to carry 260 pounds. Practiced at tight end position on foreign team.
Mike Yancich (6-2, 228/LB) — Elbow injury this summer forced him to be redshirted. Practiced at Sam and Fritz outside linebacker positions on the foreign team. Rated equal to Zordich and Mauti.
Michael Zordich Jr. (6-1, 256/RB and LB) — Practiced at fullback position on offense and inside linebacker position on defense in spring practice and foreign team this fall. Was redshirted this fall.
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