Black Shoe Diaries - The Countdown to PSU Football 2013DOMINATE THE STATEhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47529/blackshoediaries_fave.png2013-08-30T05:00:06-04:00http://www.blackshoediaries.com/rss/stream/41099012013-08-30T05:00:06-04:002013-08-30T05:00:06-04:00Only Bill Belton Until Penn State Football
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<figcaption>Matthew Holst</figcaption>
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<p>Tomorrow, tomorrow... you're only a day away.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142581/bill-belton">Bill Belton</a> began the 2012 season as the starting running back, but a season-opening injury and the emergence of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114114/zach-zwinak">Zach Zwinak</a> saw his carries diminish as the season went on. However, he did star in last year's 38-14 dismantling of Iowa as he rushed for three touchdowns in the win.</p>
<p>Reports out of training camp indicate that Belton has had an amazing summer and is ready to produce in 2013. The former high school quarterback is versatile as we've seen him catch the ball and play some Wildcat in addition to lining up behind the quarterback. The junior's talents will hopefully be shown all over the field as he paves his way to a successful campaign.</p>
<p>By decree of myself and the BSD staff, we hereby conclude our "Days Until Penn State Football" series.</p>
<p>Penn State football starts tomorrow.</p>
<h4>More from Black Shoe Diaries:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/30/4672930/penn-state-wrestling-schedule-released?utm_source=blackshoediaries&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Penn State Wrestling Schedule Released</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/29/4666416/the-official-bsd-2013-college-pick-em-pool?utm_source=blackshoediaries&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">The Official BSD 2013 College Pick 'Em Pool</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/30/4674442/syracuse-penn-state-game-predictions?utm_source=blackshoediaries&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">BSD Prediction Roundtable: Syracuse</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/30/4673914/penn-state-depth-chart-and-injury-report-syracuse-edition?utm_source=blackshoediaries&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Penn State Depth Chart and Injury Report, Syracuse Edition</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/29/4672130/bsds-big-ten-challenge-thursday-night-open-thread-week-1?utm_source=blackshoediaries&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">BSD's Big Ten Challenge/Thursday Night Open Thread Week 1</a></li>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/30/4674850/only-bill-belton-until-penn-state-footballDan Vecellio2013-08-28T08:35:31-04:002013-08-28T08:35:31-04:00Only Da'Quan Davis Until Penn State Football
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<figcaption>Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>3 days away. Wait, what? How is that possible?!?!</p> <p>Let me start this by saying that I am a big supporter of Da'Quan Davis. I thought he played very well last year in limited opportunities. He ended the season with 5 tackles and 3 passes defended. This year, he again looks to take on a huge role as depth for the cornerback spot. Reports out of camp, have all been positive for Da'Quan, as he has continually been praised for hitting like there is no tomorrow.</p>
<p>As a Seahawks fan, I can appreciate that. I watch <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9322/richard-sherman" class="sbn-auto-link">Richard Sherman</a> and Brandon Browner eat wide receivers alive on a weekly basis, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/171447/da-quan-davis" class="sbn-auto-link">Da'Quan Davis's</a> physicality reminds me of them in some ways. He's never afraid to get in on a tackle, and he's constantly throwing his body at the ball. His small stature doesn't keep him from leaving it all out on the field.</p>
<p>He also gives a very nice pump up speech...</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kQNxvTujTSY" height="315" width="560"></iframe>a</p>
<p>Shameless plugs for my videos are the best. Even if we lost that game. Look for my pump up video again this week, for the upcoming season. But anyways, Da'Quan Davis. Look for him to be one of the more important rotation pieces on the defense, and don't surprised if you see him leading a pre-game chant, or coming down with a game-changing play.</p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/28/4666770/only-daquan-davis-until-penn-state-footballNick Polak2013-08-26T04:00:07-04:002013-08-26T04:00:07-04:00Only Nyeem Wartman Until Penn State Football
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<figcaption>Mike P</figcaption>
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<p>Last year's linebackers were very good. Anyone who disputes this is a moron. And what does it say when a true freshman, fresh out of high school NePa, cracks the lineup that included <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37469/michael-mauti" class="sbn-auto-link">Michael Mauti</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77419/gerald-hodges" class="sbn-auto-link">Gerald Hodges</a>?</p>
<p>In short, that kid's badass.</p>
<p>Such is the story of Nyeem Wartman. He <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2011/7/10/2268836/penn-state-recruiting-nyeem-wartman-linebacker">committed to Penn State</a> before IT, before his senior season, back in July 2011. As did others after the scandal, he opened up his recruitment again before reaffirming he would be playing football in Happy Valley, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/2/27/2826786/penn-state-recruiting-class-of-2012-meet-nyeem-wartman">arrived as a first-team all-PA player </a>and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/6/18/3095839/photo-gallery-2012-big-33-game-breneman-wartman-schwan-lewis">Big 33 standout</a>. He was part of Bill O'Brien's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/4/13/2942409/penn-state-recruiting-class-2012-defense">first official (though not full) recruiting class</a> for Penn State.</p>
<p>And once he got on campus, he made his mark immediately. Despite enrolling in June, he saw significant time in the 2012 season opener, notching a solo tackle and blocking a punt that led to a Nittany Lion touchdown. He injured his knee in the first play of the next game, at UVA, and was sidelined for the remainder of the season. In one of its few acts of sanity, the NCAA granted Wartman a medical redshirt, and thus he will start the 2013 season a redshirt freshman.</p>
<p>Word out of preseason camp <a target="_blank" href="http://articles.philly.com/2013-08-23/sports/41441108_1_gerald-hodges-michael-mauti-nyeem-wartman">projects Wartman to be a monster </a>this year, a perfect complement to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114116/mike-hull" class="sbn-auto-link">Mike Hull</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114115/glenn-carson" class="sbn-auto-link">Glenn Carson</a> on the outside at linebacker. He's projected to start, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/6/19/4444540/bsd-roundtable-what-under-the-radar-player-will-break-out-in-2013">will likely make his presence felt </a>against opposing running backs--and receivers--all year long.</p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/26/4657468/only-nyeem-wartman-until-penn-state-footballCari Greene2013-08-25T10:15:43-04:002013-08-25T10:15:43-04:00Only Malik Golden Until Penn State Football
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Only six days away, you guys</p> <p>There's not really much I can say about <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159724/malik-golden" class="sbn-auto-link">Malik Golden</a>, mostly because we've never seen him play defensive back.</p>
<p>In 2012, Golden joined the Nittany Lions as a wide receiver. The Connecticut native was the 2nd ranked player in his homestate, and he had over 1,400 all purpose yards and seven interceptions as a senior. He may have only had three stars, but as <a href="#" class="sbn-auto-link">Bill O'Brien</a> likes to say, stars don't matter. The dude is talented.</p>
<p>Of course, he redshirted, and we never saw him take the field. Meh.</p>
<p>Fans expected him to suit up as a wide receiver in 2013 because, well, nobody expects position changes.</p>
<p>However, Bill O'Brien being the evil genius overlord wizard he is decided that he would move Golden and fellow WR Trevor Williams into the secondary. In our one glimpse of Golden, he had four tackles in the Blue-White game, the most among all members of the Nittany Lion secondary.</p>
<p>Guys. This is our last Sunday off until college football season. For the next few weeks, Sunday is recovery day. GO CRAZY.</p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/25/4655206/only-malik-golden-until-penn-state-footballBill DiFilippo2013-08-24T10:30:34-04:002013-08-24T10:30:34-04:00Only Stephen Obeng-Agyapong Until PSU Football
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<figcaption>Jared Slanina</figcaption>
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<p>One sweet, glorious, bound-to-be-dragging-on-forever week. </p> <p>Has there ever been a name more fun to say than <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85922/stephen-obeng-agyapong">Stephen Obeng-Agyapong</a>?</p>
<p>Hailing from The Bronx, SOA is entering his fifth season with the Penn State football program after redshirting his first year on campus. Since that year, he has played in every game in his three years of on-field service including starting every game at safety last year. He has slid down the depth chart this year to backup, but that is only because of Adrian Amos's shift inside. Nevertheless, Obeng-Agyapong is expected to see the field as much as anyone with rumors that he may be taking snaps at linebacker as well as the secondary due to depth issues on the defense.</p>
<p>In the classroom, Stephen graduated with a degree in IST back in May and is working on a second degree in security risk analysis which means he'll probably be <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd4fj9Efl4s">Milton from Office Space</a> after his football career is over, but being able to tackle you if he really wants to and making it hurt. He was an IT intern this summer and is just another player to carry on the great tradition of success on and off the field at Penn State.</p>
<p>One week til Syracuse, you guys!</p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/24/4653958/only-stephen-obeng-agyapong-until-penn-state-footballDan Vecellio2013-08-23T10:39:00-04:002013-08-23T10:39:00-04:00Only Allen Robinson Until Penn State Football
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<figcaption>Jared Slanina</figcaption>
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<p>Eight days.</p> <p>It's weird to think that at one time in the past, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142582/allen-robinson">Allen Robinson</a> was only known as "that wide receiver that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114107/rob-bolden">Rob Bolden</a> played with in high school". Now he's become to be called "A-Rob", "<a href="https://twitter.com/TheeSmoove8" target="_blank">Thee Smoove</a>" or the Big Ten's 2012 Receiver of the Year.</p>
<p>After making only three receptions in 2011, Robinson exploded onto the scene during last year's Navy game when he caught three touchdown passes on only five receptions. He would have another three-touchdown game later in the season and end up breaking numerous Penn State receiving records on his way to a 77 rec.-1,013 yards-11 TD 2012 campaign. His accomplishments earned him the Big Ten Receiver of the Year award as well as being named first-team All-Big Ten and being put on this year's Biletnikoff Award watchlist.</p>
<p>He won't sneak up on anyone in 2013, but as he proved last year, he has the talent to thrive even with the extra attention.</p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/23/4650872/only-allen-robinson-until-penn-state-footballDan Vecellio2013-08-22T04:00:06-04:002013-08-22T04:00:06-04:00Only Jordan Lucas Until Penn State Football
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Single digits. Are you excited?</p> <p><a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/21/4642632/only-trevor-williams-until-penn-state-football" target="_blank">Yesterday</a>, we talked about the apparent starter at one of the cornerback slots for the upcoming season in Trevor Williams. Today, we move onto his presumed partner-in-crime across the field in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159713/jordan-lucas">Jordan Lucas</a>.</p>
<p>Lucas is a true sophomore from New Rochelle, NY who playing in six games last year on special teams and defense. After spring practice, he was named the most improved player on the defensive side of the ball and moved up to the top of the depth chart for the beginning of fall practice. As camp finishes up, he'll look to be wrapping up the spot that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85916/stephon-morris">Stephon Morris</a> left empty after his graduation this past year.</p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/22/4645720/only-jordan-lucas-until-penn-state-footballDan Vecellio2013-08-21T04:00:08-04:002013-08-21T04:00:08-04:00Only Trevor Williams Until Penn State Football
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The last double digit day of waiting!</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159717/trevor-williams">Trevor Williams</a> emerged on the Penn State scene last year as a true freshman wide receiver who seemed to make plays when he number was called in his debut season. In eight games in 2012, Williams caught ten passes for 97 yards and was thought to be one of BOB's main offensive weapons for 2013 last November.</p>
<p>Fast forward to spring practice and Williams made a switch to the defensive side of the ball, being listed as a safety on the official roster but playing a lot of corner during the Blue-White Game and, maybe surprisingly to a some people, he looked really good doing it. In fact, with a few past deflections and not many breakdowns in coverage, one could argue he was the second-best man in the secondary behind <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/141951/adrian-amos">Adrian Amos</a>.</p>
<p>This summer, he was fighting with the freshman Smiths (Jordan and Anthony) to secure to starting CB spot across from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159713/jordan-lucas">Jordan Lucas</a> for the season opener against Syracuse. Hopefully, we'll learn about a finalized depth chart soon and whether Trevor will be the guy in 10 days.</p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/8/21/4642632/only-trevor-williams-until-penn-state-footballDan Vecellio