BTN.com staff, August 21, 2015
Friday marked the ninth stop on our annual summer football tour across the Big Ten.
[ MORE: 5 things Tom Dienhart learned | Fun notes from PSU practice ]
Stop No. 9 of 14 had us visiting State College, Pennsylvania, on Thursday and Friday to watch James Franklin's second Nittany Lions team.
As expected, the offensive line, which surrendered 44 sacks last season, was the area our analysts monitored the most, evidenced by their practice tweets.
Get BTN analyst Gerry DiNardo, BTN host Dave Revsine and BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart's tweets from the practices below.
BTN Bus Tour #PennState Overall roster much improved - last 2 recruiting classes very good & the 2016 predicts to be even better February 3
— Gerry DiNardo (@gerrydinardo) August 21, 2015
BTN Bus Tour #PennState OL - As they go so goes the season - they are better and deeper - how much better - have to wait for it to play out
— Gerry DiNardo (@gerrydinardo) August 21, 2015
BTN Bus Tour #PennState OL - Have 2 eventually be 1 of the best in the B1G to reach program goals - no way around it in the B1G - February 3
— Gerry DiNardo (@gerrydinardo) August 21, 2015
BTN Bus Tour #PennState OL -Not only deeper and better this year but 2nd year in system, 1st four games (all match up opponents) helps
— Gerry DiNardo (@gerrydinardo) August 21, 2015
BTN Bus Tour #PennState Gr8 practice organization w 2 pt.play,4/2 min off,off players doing tackle drills b/c of special team particiapation
— Gerry DiNardo (@gerrydinardo) August 21, 2015
BTN Bus Tour #PennState Much like all the teams in B1G except 2 big question is where do the explosive plays come from the off need pass pro
— Gerry DiNardo (@gerrydinardo) August 21, 2015
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First stop each of the last two days at PSU has been O-line. Clearly a better group than LY & future is bright-Sterling Jenkins - impressive
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 21, 2015
As of right now - looks like it's Palmer, Mahon, Mangiro, Gaia, Nelson from L to R - but I don't get sense that's etched in stone
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 21, 2015
Saquon Barkley really stood out in practice yesterday - big play waiting to happen. Could be one of the league's impact freshmen
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 21, 2015
Other freshmen who stood out yesterday - CB John Reid and WR's Juwan Johnson and Irvin Charles
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 21, 2015
The thing that always stands out when I watch Christian Hackenberg is how effortlessly he throws the deep ball. Incredible arm strength
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 21, 2015
Looks like Jason Cabinda is fairly firmly established as a starting LB. Depth remains a bit of an issue there
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 21, 2015
I like the big play potential of this PSU team - have some guys who can break them w quick hitters that won't require great protection
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 21, 2015
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All eyes along the @PennStateFball o-line are on JC transfer T Paris Palmer. Can he fill the bill at left tackle? pic.twitter.com/uV8nE5QzOg
— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) August 21, 2015
Mike Gesicki has separated himself from the other @PennStateFball tight ends. Could have a big year. pic.twitter.com/65tMycU8b2
— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) August 21, 2015
Anthony Zettel gets lots of the hype, but DT Austin Johnson is the guy who makes the @PennStateFball D-line go. pic.twitter.com/gsO9OQtyVN
— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) August 21, 2015
