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Spring has sprung and practice is in full bloom in State College, Pennsylvania. There’s plenty of highlights and news coming out of University Park this week...
Turn it over. Greg Pickel at PennLive reports that the defense is spending plenty of time on the JUGS machine this spring in an effort to move up in turnover rankings. Last year, Penn State’s defense ranked 68th in turnovers. Grant Haley and Marcus Allen both think their squad missed converting on too many opportunities, and Coach James Franklin has elected to invest in training to bump that number up.
Spring Previews. You’ve got lots of reading to do. Aaron’s got you covered on the Mike Gesicki-led tight ends. Dena previews three positions in one on the offensive line. Tim takes a look at the stacked receiver spot. Eli’s got you on Trace McSorley’s quarterback crew. Cari reviews the special teams brigade. And Jared gets to tell you all about running backs, including the three studs behind Saquon Barkley. Although, to be honest, he writes a lot about the Truth too, because, well, I mean...
Seriously.
Tough sledding. Athlon tells us that Penn State has the 9th most difficult schedule in the country. Oddly, that translates to the 4th hardest trek in the Big Ten. Take that, SEC. Let’s hope that turnover investment comes in handy.
Return of the Mac. The greatest college quarterback ever produced by Pennsylvania is coming back home. Matt McGloin, the walk-on turned legend, has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. There’s no doubt that it’ll be no time before he takes the starting job and is competing for East Coast supremacy with Virginia’s greatest treasure, Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg. At least in the preseason.
Rank ‘Em. Speaking of the pros, PennLive ranks the Nittany Lions’ all-time first round NFL draft picks. It’s a fun and long list.
Meanwhile, in non-football news. Men’s golf hosts its only tournament of the year. Fifth-ranked Penn State women’s lacrosse earns a tough victory against 16th ranked Northwestern.