FOOTBALL

Did Penn State football hint at starting QB, kickoff time for WVU?

Penn State football may have subtly dropped some key information this week.

Published

1 month ago

April 22, 2023

Penn State Football, starting QB, kickoff time for WVU

April 15, 2023. Penn State Football players sign the alma mater following the annual Blue-White Game. Credit: Grace Carella // Basic Blues Nation.

This time of the college football offseason is ripe for speculation. Spring practices are concluding, leaving fans without a taste of on-field action until August. As a result, fanbases run toward every glimpse at the upcoming season they can get. Although fans are still unwrapping the action from the Blue-White Game last Saturday, and the season opener against West Virginia University is still months away, the Nittany Lion faithful got their first morsel of off-season fodder recently. Earlier this week, a post that went viral on social media had many wondering if Penn State football had hinted at both the program’s starting QB and kickoff time for WVU.

Did Penn State football hint at starting QB, kickoff time for WVU?

On Friday, the Penn State football social media pages released several behind-the-scenes images from a recent photo shoot. The post, which shows several Nittany Lions posing in front of the steel gates at Beaver Stadium, indicated that the photo shoot was part of a promotion for NBC Sports. As part of the Big Ten’s new media rights deal, NBC will air Big Ten Saturday Night starting this fall. Called by analysts Noah Eagle and Penn State national championship-winning quarterback Todd Blackledge, the network will feature a Big Ten team in a marquee matchup each week from September 2 through November 25.

B1G things coming soon to a TV near you 👀🔥 @NBCSports pic.twitter.com/PSN13mfyx1

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) April 21, 2023

At first glance, it’s clear that the photo shoot will be used as part of NBC’s promotions for Big Ten Saturday Night. One image even features fans atop Penn State’s entrance to Beaver Stadium holding signs that say “Here Comes Saturday Night.” However, the post added more fire to the speculation that Penn State’s opening game of the 2023 season will be under the lights.

Earlier this week, another picture made the rounds on social media showing a countdown clock inside the Lasch Building set to the Nittany Lions’ opening game. On this clock, the kickoff time for the WVU game was clearly set to 7:30 PM on September 2. There are two Big Ten conference games on the opening Saturday of the college football season — Northwestern vs. Rutgers and Ohio State vs. Indiana. But even with lower expectations for the Mountaineers this season, Penn State’s matchup with WVU would still be the highest-profile game for the Big Ten in week one.

Additional speculation then swirled as to whether or not Penn State had hinted at its next starting QB as well. In the pictures released by the program, Nittany Lions KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Abdul Carter, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, and Drew Allar are clearly featured. While all these players have high name recognition, Allar is the only one who wasn’t a significant contributor to Penn State’s Rose Bowl run last year.

But, expectations for the former five-star prospect are sky-high, and many expect he will replace Sean Clifford as Penn State’s starting QB this season. While this is a reasonable assumption to make, it’s important to note that Allar has yet to be named the starter, and James Franklin contends that the QB competition between him and Beau Pribula is genuine. The entire college football world is enticed by the stars of Penn State’s highly-rated 2022 recruiting class, so it’s also possible that this was the reason behind the selections for the photoshoot.

At any rate, Penn State football is one of the most exciting programs to watch from a national perspective this season. Many believe the Nittany Lions can be a dark horse candidate to win the Big Ten Championship and make the College Football Playoff. So, even if Penn State’s new starting QB doesn’t trot out to take the first snaps of the year under the bright lights of Beaver Stadium on September 2, you can expect the spotlight to be on the Nittany Lions in 2023.

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FOOTBALL

New Penn State football commit says PSU can win national title

The newest Penn State football commit is gunning for a national title.

Published

23 hours ago

June 4, 2023

Chris Mangum

Penn State football, Deryc Plazz, national title, 2024 recruiting class

Jan 2, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin celebrates with the trophy on the podium after the Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Today, Penn State football made an exciting addition to its 2024 recruiting class by securing the commitment of three-star offensive tackle Deryc Plazz from Florida. Shortly after joining the team, Plazz expressed his bold aspirations for Penn State’s future, confidently proclaiming that the program is poised to claim a future national title and more.

A future national title for Penn State football?

Freshly committed to Penn State football, Deryc Plazz wasted no time in immersing himself in the pursuit of the team’s first national championship since 1986. This promising three-star prospect from Florida showcased his ambitious mindset by sharing his optimistic vision for the future of football in Happy Valley.

“The current class is amazing and it’s truly a blessing to be a part of something this special,” Plazz said, according to Steve Wiltfong. “Looking to load this class up and bring a Natty to Happy Valley.”

Deryc Plazz, Penn State gunning to go above and beyond in the years to come

Plazz doesn’t just want to win a national title during his time at Penn State football, he believes that the Nittany Lions are on track to do so in the near future.

“What’s most exciting about the program is that we’re on track to win a National Championship and that’s the purpose of playing,” Plazz continued. “The opportunity to win a National Championship was the biggest thing. Just knowing that we will constantly be competitive in the college football playoff while and with this 24 class loading up I know we will definitely win it.”

A glass ceiling that needs to break

Currently, Penn State football is showing promising signs of being a strong contender for the Big Ten title and a spot in the College Football Playoff this upcoming season. Preseason polls from various outlets consistently rank the Nittany Lions within the range of No. 5-10, which is well-deserved considering their impressive 11-2 record and Rose Bowl victory under the leadership of James Franklin last year.

However, many projections still anticipate Penn State falling short against formidable opponents like Michigan and Ohio State, which would likely result in another New Year’s Six bowl appearance for the team.

While such a season would still be commendable, as being a top 10 program is an achievement in itself, it is encouraging to see the aspirations of Deryc Plazz and the rest of the 2024 recruiting class. Their desire to strive for greater success in the Blue and White during their tenure is a positive indicator of the program’s ambitions and the determination of its players, commits, and the team’s culture in the years to come.

FOOTBALL

Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith joins PA-based sports talent firm

The Penn State WR is the third Nittany Lion to sign with the firm since May.

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2023

Matt Thomas

Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Penn State Football, PA sports talent firm

Jan 2, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (1) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

On Saturday, it was announced that Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith had signed with Inch & Co. Sports, a new PA-based sports talent firm. Lambert-Smith becomes the third Penn State football player to sign with the firm in the last month. The founders of Inch & Co. Sports, John and Jeff Inch, and their larger network of PA-based companies, have become increasingly involved in Penn State’s NIL and athlete representation landscape over the last year.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith signs with PA-based sports talent firm

On Saturday evening, Inch & Co. Sports announced via its social media pages that the organization had signed KeAndre Lambert-Smith. The Penn State WR is coming off a budding end to the 2022 season, where he hauled in 8 catches for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Nittany Lions’ final two games. Reporting out of spring practice indicated that Lambert-Smith had separated himself from the pack of Penn State receivers.

“He’s been really good so far this spring,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said. “We need him to be THE guy, a true number one [receiver], not just at Penn State but really in the [Big Ten] and a guy that people are talking about nationally.”

Welcome @drelambertt ! pic.twitter.com/KzF4jkbo1H

— Inch & Co. Sports (@inchandcosports) June 3, 2023

Inch & Co. Sports establishes itself in the Penn State football NIL landscape

Inch & Co. Sports is a York County, PA-based sports talent firm. The company’s founders, brothers John and Jeff Inch, are credited with starting “one of the fastest growing real estate construction companies in the U.S.” According to the firm’s website, its mission is “Representing our athletes with integrity and originality…Whether it’s giving back to the underprivileged, monetizing their image, or guiding them through a professional decision; building trust through honesty is our goal.”

KeAndre Lambert-Smith is the third Penn State football player to sign with the organization since May. The firm first signed QB Beau Pribula, who was a standout at York Central High School, on May 16. Inch & Co. added CB Johnny Dixon later in the month.

Over the last several months, the Inch & Co. network of companies has been establishing itself in the Penn State NIL landscape. In December, the company made headlines when it provided Teslas via a NIL partnership to four Nittany Lions – QB Drew Allar, LB Abdul Carter, CB Kalen King, and OT Olu Fashanu. Pribula was added to the partnership several weeks later.

Inch&Co supports Penn State football in a Big way,THANK YOU 🤘🏿 pic.twitter.com/UPLX3NaY2b

— Abdul Carter (@1NCRDB1) December 8, 2022

FOOTBALL

New Penn State football quarterback set to enroll early next spring

New Penn State football quarterback commit Ethan Grunkemeyer is set to enroll early next spring.

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2023

Chris Mangum

All Blue and White fans are clamoring about new Penn State football quarterback commit Ethan Grunkemeyer, who committed to the Nittany Lions late last month. Now, new reports are suggesting that Penn State’s new quarterback intends to enroll in the university early next spring and get extra time with the team and coaching staff ahead of the 2024 season.

Ethan Grunkemeyer set to enroll early

Ethan Grunkemeyer has been a heavily discussed topic among Penn State football fans. At first, a number of fans and talking heads jumped to conclusions, all voicing disappointment due to his three-star rating. However, upon closer observation, it becomes clear that this new 2024 QB may turn into something special as time goes on.

Grunkemeyer, like Drew Allar, committed to Penn State as a three-star but is expected to become a four-star or even better when all is said and done. In fact, Grunkemeyer earned a bid in State College last month and will be competing with the nation’s top quarterbacks at the Elite 11 finals.

“I’m just really excited to be surrounded by great people — Coach Franklin, Coach Yurcich, Coach [Danny] O’Brien,” Grunkemeyer told 247 Sports in a recent podcast interview. “I’ve built a really good relationship with all those guys. And I know Drew, and he loves his experience there so far. So I’m really happy where I landed, and I’m really excited to start to work with those guys.”

Penn State football has something special with new 2024 quarterback

According to the most recent composite rankings, Penn State football quarterback commit Ethan Grunkemeyer remains a three-star recruit. He is currently ranked as the No. 751 recruit in the nation, the No. 46 quarterback in the 2024 class, and the No. 24 recruit in the state of Ohio. While he may not be the highest-ranked recruit in Penn State’s class, the Nittany Lions have a special player with a bright future ahead of them.