MMQB - Who Will Break Out This Spring?

Spring practice is underway in State College, with winter workout videos popping up here and there, and the Blue-White Game scheduled for mid-April.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll get snippets from practice about a player or two, or perhaps even a position group, that is doing well. We’ll get a lot of coach speak about injured or limited players, talk of whether the offense is ahead of the defense or vice versa.

But without fail, someone will put on their black shoes and basic blues for the spring scrimmage, and proceed to outshine the rest of their teammates.

Last year it was Mac Hippenhammer.

In 2017, both Ayron Monroe and Tommy Stevens had themselves a game.

So who will it be this year? Which young, unproven player will take the spring practice by the horns and show out?

For me, I’m hoping that the spring star comes from one of the offensive line, receiving corps, or defensive line.

From the OL, I’d love for C.J. Thorpe, Mike Miranda, or Rasheed Wallace to really cement themselves on the line.

There will be a bunch of new faces at wide receiver, so someone like Justin Shorter or Jahan Dotson proving themselves alongside KJ Hamler would be nice to see.

And along the DL, I’ve got my eyes on PJ Mustipher and Jayson Oweh.

Now, breaking out during the spring hasn’t always translated to success on the field the following season. In fact, none of the players mentioned above had much of an impact when the fall rolled around 6 months later.

But with some of the roster turnover this off-season, there are a slew of starting spots up for grabs. Let’s hope that someone recognizes that and makes the most of their opportunity.