ICYMI: Former Penn State quarterback cut by NFL team

Quarterback is a buzzworthy position around the Penn State football program currently. While this is true for most college football programs this time of year, it’s especially so in Happy Valley. The competition for the starter’s role encompassing the 2023 offseason appears to be reaching its end. But in the pro ranks, one former Penn State quarterback will not be coming out on top in his position room, as recently Trace McSorley was cut by the New England Patriots.

Penn State quarterbacks have been in the headlines as of late

When you mention Penn State football, quarterback is what comes to everybody’s mind. Ahead of Penn State’s season opener at home against West Virginia, James Franklin has been reluctant to name a starting quarterback. Quarterbacks Drew Allar and Beau Pribula have been battling all camp long to see who will win the starting quarterback position. Both early enrollees of the 2022 class, the duo is in their second year under Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich’s system, which should help their development. With the growth the two have shown, I suspect they will both see playing time this season. 

In addition, James Franklin and Mike Yurcich have praised the development of true freshman Jaxon Smolik. The 6-foot-1-inch quarterback from Iowa has grown immensely from just spring to fall. James Franklin said ahead of WVU that the team has “three quarterbacks that we could all win with.” 

Outside of current Nittany Lion QBs, there has been news professionally. Rookie fifth-round pick Sean Clifford just won the backup role in Green Bay. Clifford’s completion percentage so far in the preseason jumps off the page – 71.9%. 

Additionally, former second-round pick Christian Hackenberg has started dipping his toes into the world of NIL. Hackenberg is now a part of State Media, a Penn State-based NIL media company that will interview players. 

But Penn State’s most famous quarterback received some bad news.

Former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley cut by New England Patriots

An argument could be made about who Penn State’s best quarterback ever is. The argument typically comes down to two – Kerry Collins and Trace McSorley. In his first season in starting for Penn State in 2016, McSorley led the Nittany Lions to their first Big Ten Championship since 2008. McSorley led the Nittany Lions to a Fiesta Bowl win in 2017. 

McSorley was drafted in the sixth round by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent most of his time as a backup to Lamar Jackson but saw select game action for the black and purple. In 2021, the Arizona Cardinals signed McSorley off the Ravens practice squad. McSorley only started one game for the Cardinals. After Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy suffered injuries, McSorley started 2022 week 16 against the Buccaneers. He went 24/45 for 217 yards and an interception. 

After the 2022 season, McSorley signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots, joining former Penn State teammate Mike Gesicki. McSorley only threw four passes in the preseason, completing only one. The Patriots have quarterbacks Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, and Malik Cunningham on the roster. The Patriots must have thought McSorley was not good enough to beat out the other three, as they cut him after the preseason ended. 

Time will tell where McSorley ends up next. Hopefully, this is not the end of McSorley’s playing career. 

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