It may be mid-April, but there’s plenty to write about when it comes to Penn State sports.
All eyes are focused on April 25 when the Blue-White Game will be played at Beaver Stadium. In today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we’ll take a closer look at some players to watch during the annual spring scrimmage, have some basketball news, peek ahead to the 2009 NFL Draft and introduce another member of the Class of 2009.
Let’s start with the Blue-White Game.
One of the players to watch at the Blue-White Game is cornerback D’Anton Lynn.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
Spring Game: Players to Watch
As the Nittany Lions prepare to close out spring practice with the annual Blue-White Game, there are always questions about which players will make the most impact.
Last season, for example, everyone wanted to see how running back Stephfon Green would fare. He did not disappoint, rushing 12 times for 87 yards and a touchdown.
This year, there are a plethora of players to watch. Here’s a list of five players to look for when you’re sitting in the sun at Beaver Stadium on April 25.
1. Jack Crawford, DL
The media got a closer look at Crawford at a recent open practice, and his size was impressive, to say the least. The roster handed out at the practice lists Crawford at 6-foot-2, 262 pounds. He certainly looks larger than that. With the departure of Aaron Maybin, Crawford will need to make an immediate impact along the defensive line.
2. Kevin Newsome, QB
When Pat Devlin transferred, the need for a backup quarterback was magnified. Along came Newsome, who committed to the Nittany Lions shortly after Devlin’s departure. Is Newsome ready? Who knows? We will certainly get a better idea during the Blue-White Game as the battle to be Daryll Clark’s backup begins.
3. D’Anton Lynn, CB
We’ve heard a lot about Lynn, but have seen very little. This season, he will be a major player for the Nittany Lions as he steps into the cornerback spot. Lynn will probably start at corner alongside A.J. Wallace. Wallace has plenty of experience in the secondary, so he will have to mentor Lynn.
4. Derek Moye, WR
We saw glimpses of Moye last season, but he will be asked to do more this season with the departures of Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood, more will be put on Moye’s shoulders. He’s capable of making the big play and that will more than likely be on display on April 25.
5. Collin Wagner/Anthony Fera, PK
With Kevin Kelly gone to graduation, Wagner and Fera will compete to be the Nittany Lions’ starting kicker. The early edge probably goes to Wagner just because coach Joe Paterno is more familiar with Wagner. But don’t discount Fera just yet. There’s a reason why Penn State was so high on this kid and we wouldn’t be at all surprised if Fera eventually winds up winning the job.
Basketball Gets Recruit
Apparently, winning the NIT does have some perks.
Only hours after the NIT championship game win, coach Ed DeChellis and his staff were given a verbal commitment by Taran Buie, a consensus Top 50 player from the class of 2010.
After watching Penn State close its season with a win, Buie decided that he’d like to join his half-brother, all-Big Ten point guard Talor Battle, as a Nittany Lion.
A 6-foot-2, 175-pound shooting guard out of Bishop Maginn High School in Albany, N.Y., Buie is considered a four-star prospect by Rivals.com and is considered by many to be one of the program’s biggest recruiting coups.
Buie picked Penn State over his four other finalists, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame and Marquette. He is slated to join the Lions for the 2010-11 season.
NFL Draft: Defense
The first couple of rounds of the 2009 NFL Draft will be held on April 25 in New York City. Here’s a closer look at a trio of Nittany Lions who are hoping to hear their names called when the draft begins.
Aaron Maybin, DE
The skinny: Maybin chose to leave Penn State early, and it’s looking like a good decision. He has bulked up since leaving the Nittany Lions, which has helped increase his draft stock.
Round: First
Best guess: Just about every mock draft has Maybin going somewhere in the top 10, so we’ll go with that trend and project him going at No. 10 overall to the San Francisco 49ers.
Maurice Evans, DE
The skinny: Evans probably made a mistake when he came back for the 2008 season. After getting into trouble, he never truly made it out of Joe Paterno’s doghouse and those character issues continue to haunt him as he readies for the draft. He also had a horrible combine, clocking a 4.99 40-yard dash.
Round: Sixth
Best guess: Make no mistake about it, Evans is certainly a wild card. The Buffalo Bills have been the biggest gamblers in the NFL as of late, so look for Evans to reunite with former teammate Paul Posluszny in Buffalo.
Lydell Sargeant, CB
The skinny: Decent 40-yard time should help Sargeant, who showed glimpses of pro ability during his four seasons with the Nittany Lions. NFL execs probably don’t like the fact that he was arrested for criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and harassment for the 2007 off-campus fight. Charges were later dropped, however.
Round: Seventh
Best guess: Someone will take a chance on Sargeant. Look for him to be reunited with former teammate Justin King in St. Louis.
This week, we highlight another member of the Class of 2009 — Curtis Dukes.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
Class of 2009: Curtis Dukes
The Nittany Lions only needed to recruit one running back in their class of 2009, and Indian River’s Curtis Dukes was the one they wanted all along — and got.
The Rivals.com three-star prospect became the 14th commitment for the Lions’ class of 2009 on July 1 when he called Penn State wide receivers coach Mike McQueary and gave him the news of his decision.
In choosing Penn State, Dukes turned down offers from Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Temple, Buffalo and Villanova.
“I committed to Penn State,” Dukes said after his announcement. “It was just the great combination of academics and the fact that they compete at a high level.”
His senior season, Dukes didn’t need to do much in helping his Indian River team to a 10-1 record, carrying the ball just 87 times.
That said, with more than 1,168 yards gained on the ground, Dukes averaged 13.4 yards a carry and scored 16 touchdowns.
His effort earned him first team all-state recognition in addition to being named all-section and all-conference in New York.
Chris Morelli is the award-winning editor of Blue White Illustrated, a weekly publication devoted to Penn State athletics. He is also a regular on “Sports Central,” which airs on ESPN Radio in Altoona and State College. E-mail him at morellionlion@gmail.com. This column does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of BWI’s writers or publisher.
