After the NCAA handed Penn State Football some of the worst sanctions in college football history (four-year postseason ban and forfeit 40 scholarships over four years) from their role in the Jerry Sandusky scandal numerous media outlets gave the team no chance in terms of recruiting. ESPN Recruiting Nation writer Mitch Sherman stated last summer, "The house is coming down after the worst scandal in the history of
college athletics. Don't expect many recruits to stay around and collect
the rubble."
A year later and Penn State recruiting has not missed a beat, mostly because the Number 1 overall quarterback in ESPN's Class of 2013 recruiting rankings stuck with the Nittany Lions. Christian Hackenberg was recruited by several major programs including South Eastern Conference powers Alabama and Florida. He could of played under Nick Saban and competed for a National Championship for 4 years. Instead he might only see 1 bowl game if he plays his freshman year. Though for Hackenberg there is more to college than a bowl game. He choose Penn State mainly for the great education and Head Coach Bill O'Brien. Hackenberg is a special 18 year old kid. He showed great leadership skills keeping the Class of 2013 together after the sanctions and he says all the right things to the media.
Nittany Nation is beyond excited for Hackenberg's arrival this summer. After witnessing what O'Brien accomplished with last year's former walk on quarterback Matt McGloin, the sky is the limit for Hackenberg. He will be competing for the starting job against junior college transfer Tyler Ferguson. Ferguson has a slight edge going into camp this summer because he has been with the team since January. But if Hackenberg can learn the playbook quickly, we could possibly see him lining up under center at Met Life Stadium on August 31 verse Syracuse.
Interesting post. I guess it speaks to how strong Bill O'Brien's reputation is to most high school quarterbacks (working with Tom Brady will do that for you). If what you write about the young man is true then i'm glad that he chose the school for all the right reasons and not about how he can get to the NFL the quickest.
ReplyDeleteWell written post. It is short and concise but it tells the story well
I like that you got to the point and kept your post short and simple. You did an excellent job providing information and your opinion without blabbering on for long. I personally prefer short, simple posts to long ones. I also really like that your first post is about the Sandusky thing. I know a lot of people think it's talked about too much, but if you want to talk about them, it's important to get it out of the way. I also like that you discuss how not all football players choose a school just for the football program. My one critique is to watch grammar. But you're doing an excellent job! I look forward to reading more!
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