Penn State 2011 Recruiting - Running Backs
by BSD on Feb 9, 2010 12:00 PM EST
in Penn State Recruiting
23 comments
Previously we looked at what Penn State needs to do in recruiting quarterbacks in the class of 2011. So today we'll move on and look at the running backs. As always, let's start out looking at the 2010 scholarship running back roster.
| Seniors | Juniors | Sophomores | Redshirt Freshmen | True Freshmen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evan Royster | Stephfon Green | Curtis Dukes | Silas Redd | |
| Brent Carter | Brandon Beachum |
As you can see, Penn State should be stacked at the running back position in 2010, but the roster is a bit top heavy with upperclassmen. Royster and Carter will be gone after the 2010 season, and even in 2011 there shouldn't be a huge need for a running back with four scholarship players still on the roster. But in 2012 only Dukes and Redd will be left, so I think it makes sense for Penn State to get a kid this year, let him redshirt in 2011, and then he's ready to hit the field in 2012. I would look for Penn State to take one running back in this class.
It's going to be tough to get a stud with these numbers. Running back is the easiest position to step on campus and play right away, and Penn State realistically can't promise much playing time before 2012. This is good and bad. Bad because it's going to scare off some kids. Good because even if Penn State strikes out this year, next year they can take two kids and they can make immediate impacts on the field.
So in conclusion, I would look for Penn State to take one running back in this class. But if they strike out don't worry about it too much. They will be fine in 2011, and they can sign two running backs in 2012 and it shouldn't have much impact on the depth chart.
| Projected 2011 Scholarship Totals | |
|---|---|
| Quarterbacks | 1 |
| Running Backs | 1 |
| Projected Total | 16-18 |
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That's what I find interesting about recruiting.
You have a kid who’s been told for at least three years that he’s the embodiment of the sun, the moon, and the stars with his talent. You have coaches that will walk right up to him and will tell him he will play four years in college if he comes to Directional U. How does PSU get these running backs to commit when there are no guarantees about playing time or position? Perhaps some of these 17 to 18 year old kids are smarter than I was at their age.
What about Bob???
I meant Zack Z. after watching that kid run in some recruiting films, I’m beginning to think he can be a legitimate power back that can contribute in the ground game. He can be a great change of pace with Redd in my opinion. Is that too far fetch to think that he will JUST be a FB for the lions???? I’d like see him in other positions… H-back… FB… TB…
There is no such thing as JUST a FB at PSU.
Well, ok, maybe there is.
However, when we have good ones, we tend to use them. Suhey has seen a good amount of action, especially in the passing game.
I guess I would rather see him stay at FB, but utilize his talents accordingly. Instead of pushing him over and clogging the RB pipeline even more, just let him play FB and get his touches there. Unlike many schools and NFL teams, we DO use the FB just varying amounts.
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth."
yeah
he’ll be BARELY just fine as a FB.
"They stalk their prey to within two or three great leaps and then launch a lightning-fast charge, striking their prey. Victims are most often killed by suffocation with a prolonged bite..."--Hinterland Who's Who
I think Dukes will be just fine as the power back
and it wouldn’t be Penn State if we didn’t have a dominant FB to contribute
by The JuggerNitt on Feb 9, 2010 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
Savon Huggins is Target Zero.
Jameal Poteat is on the list too, but Huggins would be a huge haul, and he’s teammates with a top notch safety, Sheldon Royster. Getting them both would almost make it all worth it. Almost.
"Have I ever told the story of when I met Miley Cyrus?"
Brandon Beachum
Didnt he have a knee injury? in which case he could redshirt this season
Beachum
He did not redshirt last season. I’m assuming he will play this year.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
by BSD on Feb 9, 2010 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
I might not count on that
I’d sooner expect to see Beachum take a redshirt this year if he’s not 100% healed and done with rehab by August. I don’t know if he took a redshirt his first year, but even if he did, there’s always the option of petitioning the NCAA for an additional year.
"I thought the kid we were using had the potential to be a good quarterback, and I blew that one." - Joseph V. Paterno
Beachum is kind of the man in the middle here.
I don’t see how he gets an opportunity to be a feature back or even get much playing time. Unless he redshirts(if he hasn’t already done so, which I’m not sure of, but I think Green is a RSJR and Beachum is a JR)
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth."
He hasnt redshirted yet
He came in the same class as Mauti, who is going to be a RS SO. I remember the commentators talking about him being a true freshman during the Rose Bowl after Royster and Green got injured.
Thats what I thought. True JR.
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth."
I'm assuming he'll redshirt this year
"We just forgot our pants. Nothing against the team or anything like that." -- take a guess
It might also help if we decide to keep him where we had him in the first place, FB
He started to get some carries this season, and looked like a pretty decent power back before he went down. But if we move him back to FB, it’ll separate them by a year. I was shocked to see Suhey was only a RS soph this season, and he was stellar this year.
Lets just move Kevin Newsome to running back since it is gonna be awful crowded at quarterback and he seems he would be able to make that move. Beachum did not get a red shirt this past year so look for him to red shirt this year and get 100 percent healthy.
Move Newsome to RB
And I promise you he’ll transfer.
Besides, the coaching staff would almost certainly not be taking one of the few QB’s on the squad with game experience and completely switching their role on the team like this.
by smashtheguitar on Feb 10, 2010 12:46 AM EST up reply actions
What do they do with all of those quarterbacks
Only one can be the man and they are all used to being the man in high school. Surely you can not ask one of them to wait three or even four years(if a red shirt happens) to get on the field.It aint gonna happen. One of the three(Newsome, Jones or Bolden ) will be transferring after one year in State College.
So be it
Having so many great quarterbacks will force them to push themselves. Whoever comes out of that competition will be battle tested and ready to go. If the other guy wants to transfer that’s his decision, but at least Penn State will get a few years with a good quarterback.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
Let 'em transfer
Then bring in the next kid. Too much talent is not a bad thing. Sure a kid might transfer, but he should understand full well coming in that he’ll have to compete his ass off for that spot. If he doesn’t accept that, I don’t want him here anyways.
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth."
Get as many blue chips as you can.
Texas took 5* Garrett Gilbert in the 2009 class and then this year signed Colt McCoy’s little brother and a 4* Connor Wood. They’ll probably load up with another 4-5* for 2011! Do you think they care if, when the cream comes to the top, one or two of the others transfer?
The “primo teams” get as much talent as they can at the “skill” positions. A damaged knee (or shoulder) can change the picture quickly.
Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
Vince Lombardi
Agree with the cream to the top thing
But you have to be careful about your last statement. Michigan has recruited the skill positions heavily under RichRod, but they will have ZERO depth at OL next year and ‘11. So while recruiting the skill positions is an art, and I’d rather have our current QB “problem” than the alternative, you cannot overlook the absolute need for great OL/DL recruitment.
"Have I ever told the story of when I met Miley Cyrus?"
Oh,
Believe me, we also need some “skilled” players on the O and D lines.
I just think you recruit as many blue chippers as possible. You do have to keep some balance between O and D and Linemen and the so-called skilled positions.
Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
Vince Lombardi
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