Episode Details

Subscribe to Blue White Illustrated on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KzEcqK

Check out the site too! - https://bit.ly/3u8dilD

The Penn State Nittany Lions are a developmental team that won't solve their problems through the transfer portal. That's what head coach James Franklin said in the lead up to the Peach Bowl. Yes, the team does try to find select players to fill specific needs, but the team still believes in internal development.

So on today's BWI Live Show, we're discussing which players that didn't have big roles last year, need to take that step. We're also breaking down a unique opportunity for the team's defensive players. A certain position hasn't been open for three years, but thanks to graduation, is finally open. We'll discuss how good Curtis Jacobs and Daequan Hardy were in covering the slot for Penn State.

If you haven't yet, subscribe to the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel so you don't miss any of our live and breaking news content. We'll also provide you with coaches interviews and shows featuring wrestling and basketball.

Penn State slot coverage is an opportunity for a new batch of players

For the past three seasons Jacobs and Hardy have split the duties as the primary slot defenders in Penn State's defense. On today's show we're talking about the article featuring these two from last week. Here's an excerpt.

While Jacbos’ contributions as a coverage linebacker in the flat are harder to quantify, Hardy’s contributions are clear. No Big Ten cornerback had more third-down coverage snaps than Hardy over the last three seasons. Despite a rough start to the 2022 season, Hardy allowed a passer rating of just 50.9 into his coverage since 2021. No player with more than ten targets can boast such a low rating allowed, and no player saw more third-down targets than Hardy.

We'll explain how the team can replace these two and how Tom Allen's defense could potentially cause some changes to the type of player filling this role.

Owen Aliciene breakdown

If you haven't you can check out T-Frank's Film Room on new tackle commit Owen Aliciene. The Penn State Class of 2025 prospect joined the Nittany Lions after the team's first junior day of the new year. We'll discuss his talents and where he fits in the recent run of tall tackle prospects for offensive line coach Phil Trautwein.

Which Penn State players need to develop?

The team is deep into the offseason conditioning program, building themselves into the team they will be for 2024. But which players are critical for the team to see grow? There are some clear holes on the roster for a young player to fill in 2024 and some positions need competition to create overall growth for the team. We'll highlight the players that weren't starters in 2023 who need to be contributors next year, such as Tony Rojas, Omari Evans and Zion Tracy.

#PennState #NittanyLions

JOIN Blue White Illustrated: https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/join/?plan=annual

SUBSCRIBE to Blue White Illustrated on YouTube and enable alerts - new highlights and videos uploaded regularly: https://www.youtube.com/c/bluewhiteillustratedvideo?sub_confirmation

Bookmark our homepage: https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/

Subscribe to BWI Magazine and Newsletters: https://bluewhiteonline.com

Download our podcasts: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/LRL3155877513?selected=DSVV2664982394

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BlueWhiteIllustrated/

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/PennStateOn3

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

Which young Penn State players need to develop thi