It’s that time of the year, again. The national champion has been crowned, several players have elected to leave early and football fans are heavily anticipating the NFL’s 50th Super Bowl. For collegiate football programs, it’s the time of the year to start solidifying recruiting classes and making adjustments for missing pieces, both anticipated and not so anticipated. In the case of Penn State, this offseason will be vastly important. The program is losing several key components and leadership to the NFL.
Next Man Up: PSU Football Post Season
Starting with the offense. The TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida was junior quarterback and captain Christian Hackenberg’s last game in a Penn State jersey. Although his last game was cut short due to a hard fall onto his throwing arm, PSU football fans were able to get a glimpse of the leadership at the quarterback position that is to come in Trace McSorley. Judging from McSorley’s performance, they need not worry. McSorley exemplified his tenacity and will to win as he tried to lead the Nittany Lions to a comeback against Georgia but to no avail. This offseason will begin the grooming of a leader at the quarterback position; a position that Hackenberg commanded for three years.
Not only is the offense losing its starting quarterback, but it is also losing a wide receiver in Geno Lewis and a highly talented running back in Akeel Lynch. Lewis has elected to finish his football career, as he has already completed and received his degree from Penn State and will make a graduate transfer to Oklahoma. Lewis’ presence will certainly be missed as he presented an alternative threat to defenses. No news yet on where Lynch has elected to transfer to, but like Lewis, he will receive his degree from Penn State at the end of the current spring semester. Fans can only raise the question of Lynch’s decision possibly being based on the quick rise to stardom that Saquon Barkley has reached.
The defense is where, arguably, the strongest impact will be felt. The defensive line is losing both senior CBS Sports Defensive Player of the Year defensive end Carl Nassib and junior defensive tackle Austin Johnson. Additionally, Anthony Zettel will begin his NFL campaign in the upcoming East-West Shrine game. All three were powerhouse defenders whose dominance was unparalleled throughout the season, and who could forget Johnson’s first career touchdown against San Diego State? Their leadership will be hard to replace immediately, but not impossible. Penn State isn’t known for its tough hard-nosed defense for nothing. It won’t take too long for a new group to step up and lead the defense.
At the end of the day, this particular offseason may be more challenging as well as emotional than most. But when facing challenges, it’s best to approach them one day and step at a time. No dynasty was built over night. Young players must step up and make their presence known. Simply put: next man up.
Main Photo:
