Success with Hyperlinking is Summering at Sebago Lake

Get to Know You likely recognize Tyler Bowen as the large man towering over recruits in photos of the coaches’ home visits. Greg Pickel sat down with him to learn about the coach on the rise who has already done wonders for Penn State’s tight ends unit, as well as blazing a path on the recruiting trail.

Finding a Home Penn State will have the services of C.J. Holmes, a transfer from Notre Dame who saw time at running back as a true freshman for the Irish last season. But where does the talented Holmes fit into the Nittany Lions’ deep backfield? This summer will be spent figuring out the best role for Holmes, whether that be sticking with running back, moving to receiver, or even switching to defense.

Happy Trails! Penn State associate athletic director Jeff Nelson is retiring after more than a quarter-century in the Athletic Department. A quick story about Nelson that I’ll always remember, that he probably forgot about two minutes after it happened- my first event as a credentialed media member was the 2012 Coaches Caravan stop in Cleveland. Shortly after learning my credentials were approved, I received a brief email directly from Nelson stating that he wanted to speak with me at the event. I was certain that I had done something wrong and that he would tell me that I was granted access by mistake, and that would be the first and last event I could cover. So after arriving, I find Nelson and introduce myself, expecting the worst. He simply says, “I just wanted to say hello since we haven’t met before. Let me know if you need anything.” So here’s to Jeff Nelson, who somehow always managed to look like a million bucks in the same suit he had been sprinting around in for the past 16 hours.

California Dreamin’ You’ll never believe this one. A proposed state bill in California would allow college athletes to make money off of their own names, images, and likenesses. Mark Emmert, who makes several million a year, is firmly against its passage.

An Embarrassment of Riches Victory Bell Rings is passing the offseason by ranking Penn State’s top 15 running backs of all-time, which is no small task considering all the legendary names who carried the rock in Happy Valley.

On Schedule No mention of Penn State, but ESPN breaks down some of the quirks of the 2019 college football schedule. One thing to stick out is the fact Notre Dame will be playing seven teams that are fresh off a bye week in 2019. This is certainly bad news for the Irish’s hopes to return to the playoffs. Another oddity- North Carolina, an ACC team, and Wake Forest, also an ACC team, will somehow play a non-conference game this fall.

It’s Complicated Robbie Gould made just under 64 percent of field goal attempts during his time at Penn State, and just 56 percent as an upperclassman. Flash forward 15 years, and Gould is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history and the recipient of the franchise tag for the 49ers. Gould has shown no signs of slowing down and would like to head back to Chicago, where he spent the majority of his NFL career. The Bears are in desperate need of a reliable kicker, but will they be welcoming Gould back to town for 2019? If you watch Gould, or any other former Nittany Lions play on Sundays, prepare for delays and chaos with the NFL’s new pass interference rule.