Off Season and Spring Practices Articles thread.....

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GregInPitt said:
True freshman DE Jackson Ford looking like he could potentially help solidify some depth at DE for 2026.

nittanysportsnow.com

Penn State True Freshman has ‘Stood out in Every Phase’ | NSN

Jackson Ford already has a legacy at Penn State, and the guy hasn’t even finished his first spring camp.After Penn State fired James Franklin
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Maybe. CMC emphasized that his consistency will determine if he contributes. My thought is he starts out on special teams until the coaching staff approves of his grasp of what they want him to do as a part of the DE rotation.
 
RickinDayton said:
Maybe. CMC emphasized that his consistency will determine if he contributes. My thought is he starts out on special teams until the coaching staff approves of his grasp of what they want him to do as a part of the DE rotation.
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Possibly. But the OOC games seem like the time to give him DE snaps if he continues to progress and earn consideration for a spot in the DE rotation during the remainder of Spring practices, the Summer S&C and Fall camp. OOC games have been where the players competing for the last spots in the depth chart at most positions get to compete for those spots, but at DE it seems that the whole group other than Kemajou and the DE transfer fro ISU are all competing with nothing settled. Should be interesting to see how the depth chart plays out at most positions, but particuarly at DE, LB and WR.

From the Si article:
"Penn State will have a new-look set of edge rushers, one of the team's most fluid positions. That's why Ford could carve himself a role at the position next season.

Granville, who missed last season with an injury, and Kemajou return with expectations and questions. Colorado transfer Alexander McPherson has made a strong spring impression, while Iowa State transfer Ikenna Ezeogu is a 6-5, 275-pound presence."
 
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GregInPitt said:
Possibly. But the OOC games seem like the time to give him DE snaps if he continues to progress and earn consideration for a spot in the DE rotation during the remainder of Spring practices, the Summer S&C and Fall camp. OOC games have been where the players competing for the last spots in the depth chart at most positions get to compete for those spots, but at DE it seems that the whole group other than Kemajou and the DE transfer fro ISU are all competing with nothing settled. Should be interesting to see how the depth chart plays out at most positions, but particuarly at DE, LB and WR.

From the Si article:
"Penn State will have a new-look set of edge rushers, one of the team's most fluid positions. That's why Ford could carve himself a role at the position next season.

Granville, who missed last season with an injury, and Kemajou return with expectations and questions. Colorado transfer Alexander McPherson has made a strong spring impression, while Iowa State transfer Ikenna Ezeogu is a 6-5, 275-pound presence."
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He could definitely see some DE reps during the OOC, yet I still think he will be more special teams centric. Perhaps he shows out during OOC DE reps? That would be great. What is the Intel on McPherson from his CU time, can he be a key contributor? It appears PSU is trying to bulk him up. Really need Granville to be 100% for Fall camp and beyond to team with Kemajou as the starters.
 
RickinDayton said:
He could definitely see some DE reps during the OOC, yet I still think he will be more special teams centric. Perhaps he shows out during OOC DE reps? That would be great. What is the Intel on McPherson from his CU time, can he be a key contributor? It appears PSU is trying to bulk him up. Really need Granville to be 100% for Fall camp and beyond to team with Kemajou as the starters.
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From what I found McPherson played in 10 games and had 16 tackles and half a sack last year as a true freshman. Was a .865 rated 3 star recruit. My opinion is that McPherson will be a reliable DE but likley not a splash play player. He's should be bigger and stronger after time in the PSU S&C program. Ford was a considerably higher rated DE and likely more athletic with a higher upside. But we've seen true freshmen get positive reviews in previous Spring practice feedback and then not play in the Fall that year. So who really knows. As you inferred a lot will depend on if both Kemajou and Granville will be healthy entering the Fall and if they can stay healthy.

The other possibility is that one or two of the other young DE's on the roster that haven't gotten much talk about them could emerge during Fall camp and take spots in the DE rotation making it better for the team in the longer term to redshirt Ford. Robinson, Mayer, Burnett. And how big will Arrington be by the Fall, big enough to take regular reps at DE? Still lots of questions and possibilites.
 
This article seems to present the DE situation as the transfer from ISU Ezeogu along with Kemajou, Granville and McPherson will likely form most of the 2026 DE rotation. That implies that the true freshman Ford will be in a battle with the other DE's such as Robinson, Mayer and Burnett for the 5th spot. But that's not to say that one of those 4 couldn't be too good not to integrate into the nucleus of the rotation and possibly even push one of the now presumed top 4 to the bench or take a spot due to injury. But that kind of implies that Ford even with his performance so far would likely have a hard time burning his redshirt based on playing time unless he just does want to burn it for special teams.....


victorybellrings.com

Matt Campbell gives Iowa State a ringing endorsement at Penn State’s position of need

Penn State has a big question mark at defensive end, and Ikenna Ezeogu might be the answer.
victorybellrings.com victorybellrings.com
 
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The DE room is reviewed by Coach Campbell in response to the first question at yesterday's (4/14/26) post practice PC.

I know press conferences are just words, but Coach Campbell sure talks about molding his players into a team with the focus that's necessary to win the games that PSU hasn't been able to to finish for wins recently. I don't believe we now know if the 2026 team has the talent to do that, but I'm a believer that when the talent is there in the next few years it's going to be an exciting time for PSU football.


 
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One less player to compete at DE. Mason Robinson out for the year. Interesting that the article states that Robinson had worked with the first team Defense at least some as he has incurred a number of injuries and seemed to be mostly MIA since he arrived as a freshman.

nittanysportsnow.com

Penn State Defender Out for Season

Penn State defensive end Mason Robinson has suffered another major setback just as he appeared ready to compete for a larger role.
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What some here had been hoping for may be happening. Martin reportedly taking some reps at WR.

nittanysportsnow.com

Penn State Running Back Seeing Reps at Another Position

It hasn’t been easy for Quinton Martin to play considerable snaps at Penn State. The redshirt sophomore running back from Belle Vernon High School, outside of Pittsburgh, faced a roadblock behind four-year starters Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. Allen and Singleton poised arguably the...
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DE is not an area where we can afford injuries, even depth injuries. I'm hoping that reports of those other players at the position coming along are accurate.

I think Martin getting reps at WR could mean a few things. 1) He's too good to simply split reps with the other 2 projected to share carries AND/OR they are, i.e. He is one of the top playmakers and so are the other RBs. Get your best on the field as much as you can. 2) They are still looking for answers at WR. 3) Some combo of 1 and 2.
 
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