A True Titan In an extremely classy move, the Tennessee Titans have signed former Penn State star Tim Shaw to a lifetime contract. the former Titans captain has been battling ALS since 2014 and has been working to create awareness and help raise funds to combat the disease. Shaw always had a reputation for being a stand-up guy, and the reaction of his teammates as he walks through the door just goes to show how much he is loved and respected by those close to him.
Full-Nelson Andrew Nelson, the presumptive starter to protect Trace McSorley’s blindside, has been moved to right tackle ahead of fall camp. The standout of the offensive line, Nelson has gained experience at both tackle spots during his first two years of eligibility. This suggest that players like Paris Palmer, Noah Beh and Chance Sorrell have significantly improved to be trusted at the left tackle spot.
Are You Ready for Some Football?? Former BSDer Ben Jones offers five storylines heading into fall camp....he also sat down with likely starting quarterback Trace McSorley to learn that he REALLY loves contact, which will come in handy should the offensive line struggle again...Onward State thinks that players like running back Mark Allen and defensive tackle Kevin Givens are poised for breakout seasons.
Coach’s Corner A widely held recruiting belief is that for a coach to win over a player, he must first find a way to get in his mother’s good graces. Well, Nick Saban was on the wrong end of things when he blocked a transfer of a player and got called out by his mom. Blocking a transfer of a college kid is never a good look for a coach, but in Saban’s defense, the player was attempting to jump from the Tide to the rival Georgia Bulldogs....Mark Dantonio is many things- a program-builder, tremendous football coach, excellent developer of talent- but no one will ever describe him as warm and fuzzy. A certain radio host learned that Dantonio doesn’t have time to waste answering stupid questions (and they were truly stupid) after being hung up on in the middle of an interview...apparently Lane Kiffin doesn’t know his age.
#butt Perhaps the biggest gift to immature college football fans like myself is that Michigan tight end Jake Butt is returning for his senior season. With the Wolverines breaking in a new starting quarterback, it will be a huge asset to have one of the Big Ten’s best tight ends- it’s safe to say Butt will be targeted all season in Ann Arbor (I’ll see myself out). As part of the series, Josh Moyer also spotlighted a certain Nittany Lions running back who is generating plenty of buzz from near and far.
Get Out the Vote The first preseason rankings have arrived in the form of the Coaches’ Poll. From the Big Ten, Ohio State (5), Michigan (8), Michigan State (11) and Iowa (15) find themselves ranked, while Wisconsin (27th overall) just missed out. Penn State didn’t didn’t receive a single vote, while Indiana, Appalachian State, Marshall, South Florida and Northern Illinois found their way into the “Others Receiving Votes” category.