Which freshmen will burn the shirt? Who are future 1st to 3rd round picks? Who are the biggest surprises?

LudicrousSpeedGO!

LudicrousSpeedGO!

Active member
  • Here are my picks:

  • Burn the shirt:
  • Dixson or Joseph but not both
  • Kemajou
  • Coleman or Jennings but not both (maybe neither)
  • Howard
  • Adrika (outside shot)

  • Future Rd 1 through 3 NFL draft picks:
  • 1 TE (Olesh)
  • 1 OL (Goodman)
  • 1 CB (Going with Dixson)
  • 1 DE (Going with Kemajou or possibly Coleman/Jennings as next likely)
  • 1 WR (Howard and possibly Samuel)
  • 1 DT (Adrika) or 1 LB (Going with Arrington)
  • So yes, I'm going with 6 NFL draft picks in the first 3 rounds out of this class.

  • Biggest surprises:
  • 1) Adrika
  • 2) Samuel (not right away, I think Howard is more ready, but I like Samuel's potential)
  • 3) This class significantly outperforms their 19th in the country rating.

  • I list the class below in order of 247 composite rankings. Ht/Wgt is from the recruiting profile and not updated.

  • Malachi Goodman
  • Paramus Catholic (Paramus, NJ)
    6-5.5 / 320
    98
    IOL


  • Andrew Olesh
  • Southern Lehigh (Center Valley, PA)
    6-4.5 / 215
    96
    TE


  • Daryus Dixson
  • Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
    6-0 / 180
    95
    CB


  • LaVar Arrington II
  • Charter Oak (Covina, CA)
    6-3.5 / 215
    94
    LB


  • Yvan Kemajou
  • Paint Branch (Burtonsville, MD)
    6-3 / 230
    93
    DL


  • Matt Outten
  • I.C. Norcom (Portsmouth, VA)
    6-0 / 200
    92
    WR


  • Jeff Exinor Jr.
  • McDonogh School (Owings Mills, MD)
    6-2 / 220
    92
    TE


  • Owen Aliciene
  • Avon Old Farms (Avon, CT)
    6-7 / 275
    91
  • OT


  • Cameron Smith
  • St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, PA)
    6-0 / 200
    91
    LB


  • Chaz Coleman
  • Warren G Harding (Warren, OH)
    6-5 / 225
    91
  • Edge


  • Daniel Jennings
  • Princeton (Princeton, WV)
    6-2 / 220
    91
    Edge


  • Jahmir Joseph
  • St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, NJ)
    6-0 / 185
    90
    CB


  • Dayshaun Burnett
  • Imani Christian Academy (Pittsburgh, PA)
    6-2.5 / 215
    90
    LB


  • Xxavier Thomas
  • Central Catholic (Pittsburgh, PA)
    5-11 / 175
    90
    CB


  • Cortez Harris
  • Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, MD)
    6-2 / 200
    89
    Edge


  • Matt Henderson
  • Powhatan (Powhatan, VA)
    6-5 / 210
    89
    TE


  • Alex Tatsch
  • Greater Latrobe (Latrobe, PA)
    6-2 / 213
    89
    LB


  • Josh Johnson
  • Ironton (Ironton, OH)
    6-3 / 185
    89
    CB


  • Jabree Coleman
  • Imhotep Institute (Philadelphia, PA)
    6-0 / 205
    89
    RB


  • Tikey Hayes
  • Aliquippa (Aliquippa, PA)
    5-10 / 185
    88
    RB


  • Koby Howard
  • Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL)
    5-11 / 185
    88
    WR


  • Lyrick Samuel
  • Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn, NY)
    6-3.5 / 180
    88
    WR


  • Brian Kortovich
  • Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland, OH)
    6-4 / 224
    88
    TE


  • Michael Troutman
  • DePaul Catholic (Wayne, NJ)
    6-2 / 270
    87
    IOL


  • Brady O'Hara
  • North Catholic (Pittsburgh, PA)
    6-6 / 245
    87
    TE


  • Bekkem Kritza
  • Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL)
    6-5 / 198
    87
    QB


  • Randy Adirika
  • Miami Central (Miami, FL)
    6-3 / 275
    86
    DL


  • Braswell Thomas
  • Pleasantville (Pleasantville, NJ)
    6-2 / 185
    86
    S
 

247 did a podcast about this, sort of (they included the transfers) with TD and Gallen both giving their top 10 of the 35 new players we will have this fall.

Green Lights: Dixon.
-And honestly thats the only one I could safely say. He'll be on the field somewhere. I believe there will be others, but a lot will depend on fall camp battles (I agree a DE makes it, but guessing which one is tough).

Yellow: Howard. Kemajou. Coleman. Burnett. Jennings. Adrika.
-Unless every RS FR at DE are ready to go, somebody likely breaks free from the Freshman and gets the yellow. I actually hope Howard (or one of the freshman WRs) is so good that they can't ignore them. I put Adrika on here only because of size (believe he's 306 already) and our currently unknown depth beyond 4 DTs.

Red: everybody else.

Goodman will have to be Cousins level ready and even then he's got more experience in front of him now than Cousins did last year.

I like our TEs, but barring injury (Dinkins dinged up early last year and Rapp going down by week 2 paved the way for Reynolds) they aren't sniffing the field unless they are the next Brock Bowers. Much like the RB room, this is the first world problems teams like to have.

Their could be somebody else who impresses, but they won't gain the hype any of us need to mention them for another 5 or 6 weeks.
 
LudicrousSpeedGO! said:
  • Here are my picks:

  • Burn the shirt:
  • Dixson or Joseph but not both
  • Kemajou
  • Coleman or Jennings but not both (maybe neither)
  • Howard
  • Adrika (outside shot)

  • Future Rd 1 through 3 NFL draft picks:
  • 1 TE (Olesh)
  • 1 OL (Goodman)
  • 1 CB (Going with Dixson)
  • 1 DE (Going with Kemajou or possibly Coleman/Jennings as next likely)
  • 1 WR (Howard and possibly Samuel)
  • 1 DT (Adrika) or 1 LB (Going with Arrington)
  • So yes, I'm going with 6 NFL draft picks in the first 3 rounds out of this class.

  • Biggest surprises:
  • 1) Adrika
  • 2) Samuel (not right away, I think Howard is more ready, but I like Samuel's potential)
  • 3) This class significantly outperforms their 19th in the country rating.

  • I list the class below in order of 247 composite rankings. Ht/Wgt is from the recruiting profile and not updated.

  • Malachi Goodman
  • Paramus Catholic (Paramus, NJ)
    6-5.5 / 320
    98
    IOL


  • Andrew Olesh
  • Southern Lehigh (Center Valley, PA)
    6-4.5 / 215
    96
    TE


  • Daryus Dixson
  • Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
    6-0 / 180
    95
    CB


  • LaVar Arrington II
  • Charter Oak (Covina, CA)
    6-3.5 / 215
    94
    LB


  • Yvan Kemajou
  • Paint Branch (Burtonsville, MD)
    6-3 / 230
    93
    DL


  • Matt Outten
  • I.C. Norcom (Portsmouth, VA)
    6-0 / 200
    92
    WR


  • Jeff Exinor Jr.
  • McDonogh School (Owings Mills, MD)
    6-2 / 220
    92
    TE


  • Owen Aliciene
  • Avon Old Farms (Avon, CT)
    6-7 / 275
    91
  • OT


  • Cameron Smith
  • St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, PA)
    6-0 / 200
    91
    LB


  • Chaz Coleman
  • Warren G Harding (Warren, OH)
    6-5 / 225
    91
  • Edge


  • Daniel Jennings
  • Princeton (Princeton, WV)
    6-2 / 220
    91
    Edge


  • Jahmir Joseph
  • St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, NJ)
    6-0 / 185
    90
    CB


  • Dayshaun Burnett
  • Imani Christian Academy (Pittsburgh, PA)
    6-2.5 / 215
    90
    LB


  • Xxavier Thomas
  • Central Catholic (Pittsburgh, PA)
    5-11 / 175
    90
    CB


  • Cortez Harris
  • Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, MD)
    6-2 / 200
    89
    Edge


  • Matt Henderson
  • Powhatan (Powhatan, VA)
    6-5 / 210
    89
    TE


  • Alex Tatsch
  • Greater Latrobe (Latrobe, PA)
    6-2 / 213
    89
    LB


  • Josh Johnson
  • Ironton (Ironton, OH)
    6-3 / 185
    89
    CB


  • Jabree Coleman
  • Imhotep Institute (Philadelphia, PA)
    6-0 / 205
    89
    RB


  • Tikey Hayes
  • Aliquippa (Aliquippa, PA)
    5-10 / 185
    88
    RB


  • Koby Howard
  • Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL)
    5-11 / 185
    88
    WR


  • Lyrick Samuel
  • Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn, NY)
    6-3.5 / 180
    88
    WR


  • Brian Kortovich
  • Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland, OH)
    6-4 / 224
    88
    TE


  • Michael Troutman
  • DePaul Catholic (Wayne, NJ)
    6-2 / 270
    87
    IOL


  • Brady O'Hara
  • North Catholic (Pittsburgh, PA)
    6-6 / 245
    87
    TE


  • Bekkem Kritza
  • Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL)
    6-5 / 198
    87
    QB


  • Randy Adirika
  • Miami Central (Miami, FL)
    6-3 / 275
    86
    DL


  • Braswell Thomas
  • Pleasantville (Pleasantville, NJ)
    6-2 / 185
    86
    S
Click to expand...
I agree with your picks, plus the possible addition of Olesh ( situational football inside the Red Zone, utilizing 4 TE receivers), and Arrington depending on depth or injury need.
 
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I'm not counting on any of then to be green lighted. I'm not even sure if Quinton Martin is going to see much PT other than special teams.
 
Franklin has basically said that Kemajou will play this season. And with only DDS, Fisher and Harvey ahead of Kemajou now that Granville is out, I have to believe Franklin.

So I see true freshmen playing this season as:
Kemajou
Dixon
Likely Howard

I also don't see the chances of even 1 of Coleman or Jennings burning their redshirt as even 50-50 considering that there are still 3 redshirt soph and redshirt freshmen DE's also working to get into the rotation (WIlliams, Robinson, Mayer) along with the reshirt Junior White. No real need to burn more than one true freshman's redshirt (i.e. Kemajou) unless a couple of the top 4 DE's get long term injuries. I don't believe Coleman or Jennings enrolled in January so they neither participated in the winter S&C or Spring practices and likely have significant work to do in the S&C to get to effective B10 strength and bulk. In fact, the current PSU roster still doesn't even list Jennings so that says he hasn't even enrolled at PSU as of July 8th

If I had to pick the next likely true freshman with a chance to burn their redshirt this season it might be Arrington if he continues to flash speed and playmaking and excels on special teams coverage, or Tikey Hayes at RB who Franklin had a good many complementary comments about in the Spring if he might play special teams, which is not likely as Franklin used Singleton to return KO's last season when there were a couple of good looking freshman RB's that could have saved the wear and tear from Singleton.....
 
27Pellis said:
I agree with your picks, plus the possible addition of Olesh ( situational football inside the 20 yard line, utilizing 4 TE receivers), and Arrington depending on depth or injury need.
Click to expand...
That is certainly possible. I just look at Arrington as needing a bit of time as he is still super lean. Olesh could be too good to keep out especially if someone goes down with injury (let's hope not), but TE depth is already excellent.
 
bdroc said:
I'm not counting on any of then to be green lighted. I'm not even sure if Quinton Martin is going to see much PT other than special teams.
Click to expand...
There certainly is a logjam at RB but that path will clear after this season. Martin and others will get their opportunity to be the man next year.
 
LudicrousSpeedGO! said:
That is certainly possible. I just look at Arrington as needing a bit of time as he is still super lean. Olesh could be too good to keep out especially if someone goes down with injury (let's hope not), but TE depth is already excellent.
Click to expand...
It will be interesting to see what Arrington looks like going into Fall camp. Rojas was reportedly under 200 lbs coming to PSU but after enrolling early he put on 30+ (?) lbs by the time his freshman season got going and then played some situationally and on special teams. It would seem to be possible for Arrington as well, although maybe not probable....

If Olesh is that good to force his way onto the field it would be a great thing for the future of the PSU TE room. Reynolds did it last season, but the TE room wasn't as full last season with Rappelea out with a long term injury and Schlaffer seemingly needing more S&C work. It seems like it will be much harder for Olesh to see playing time than it was for Reynolds with Dinkins, Reynolds, Rappelea, Schlaffer, Henderson, and Kortovich all competing to play. And even if Olesh is as good of a TE prospect as Reynolds, still an "if", he may not be ready enough to play due to needing more time to fill out before actually playing TE. Reynolds was a little bigger when he showed up at PSU and really did a great job in the S&C to be at a legitimate size for a TE going into last season.
 
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GregInPitt said:
It will be interesting to see what Arrington looks like going into Fall camp. Rojas was reportedly under 200 lbs but after enrolling early he put on 30+ (?) lbs by the time his freshman season got going and then played some situationally and on special teams. It would seem to be possible for Arrington as well, although maybe not probable....

If Olesh is that good to force his way onto the field it would be a great thing for the future of the PSU TE room. Reynolds did it last season, but the TE room wasn't as full last season with Rappelea out with a long term injury and Schlaffer seemingly needing more S&C work.
Click to expand...
That TE room is just stacked with young talent. Dinkins is no slouch either, but the young guys really have to get you excited for the future.
 
GregInPitt said:
Franklin has basically said that Kemajou will play this season. And with only DDS, Fisher and Harvey ahead of Kemajou now that Granville is out, I have to believe Franklin.

So I see true freshmen playing this season as:
Kemajou
Dixon
Likely Howard

I also don't see the chances of even 1 of Coleman or Jennings burning their redshirt as even 50-50 considering that there are still 3 redshirt soph and redshirt freshmen DE's also working to get into the rotation (WIlliams, Robinson, Mayer) along with the reshirt Junior White. No real need to burn more than one true freshman's redshirt (i.e. Kemajou) unless a couple of the top 4 DE's get long term injuries. I don't believe Coleman or Jennings enrolled in January so they neither participated in the winter S&C or Spring practices and likely have significant work to do in the S&C to get to effective B10 strength and bulk. In fact, the current PSU roster still doesn't even list Jennings so that says he hasn't even enrolled at PSU as of July 8th

If I had to pick the next likely true freshman with a chance to burn their redshirt this season it might be Arrington if he continues to flash speed and playmaking and excels on special teams coverage, or Tikey Hayes at RB who Franklin had a good many complementary comments about in the Spring if he might play special teams, which is not likely as Franklin used Singleton to return KO's last season when there were a couple of good looking freshman RB's that could have saved the wear and tear from Singleton.....
Click to expand...
I agree about Coleman & Jennings, Redshirt all the way.
I do believe DT Adirika could burn his shirt. Already has the weight gain and impressed in the Spring. Should he continue to "show out" during fall camp, he plays early and works his way into the rotation as #5 DT.
 
RickinDayton said:
I agree about Coleman & Jennings, Redshirt all the way.
I do believe DT Adirika could burn his shirt. Already has the weight gain and impressed in the Spring. Should he continue to "show out" during fall camp, he plays early and works his way into the rotation as #5 DT.
Click to expand...
Yep, Adirika could end up playing. But it will depend a lot on how Blanding, Artis, Cook, Andrews and Wafle do, and if Durant, Ford and Gilliam stay healthy. We know that Durant, Ford and Gilliam are 3 of the 5-6 DT's that will play a lot this season, so unless Adirika is showing to be better 3 or 4 of the 5 competing to join them there is nothing to gain by spending a year of his eligibility this coming season. So it seems more likely to me that Adirika will just play the 4 games allowed as well as in the post season as those games are also allowed while still redshirting.
 
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GregInPitt said:
Yep, Adirika could end up playing. But it will depend a lot on how Blanding, Artis, Cook, Andrews and Wafle do, and if Durant, Ford and Gilliam stay healthy. We know that Durant, Ford and Gilliam are 3 of the 6-5 DT's that will play a lot this season, so unless Adirika is showing to be better 3 or 4 of the 5 competing to join them there is nothing to gain by spending a year of his eligibility this coming season. So it seems more likely that Adirika will just play the 4 games allowed as well as in the post season as those games are also allowed while still redshirting.
Click to expand...
Hopefully some of those that have been here a few years are reliable and like you said, Adirika can play 4 then Redshirt. Any updates on Andrews,? He was a high 4-Star but seemed to have problems gaining weight. Really need Ford to be full go for the B1G schedule.
 
RickinDayton said:
Hopefully some of those that have been here a few years are reliable and like you said, Adirika can play 4 then Redshirt. Any updates on Andrews,? He was a high 4-Star but seemed to have problems gaining weight. Really need Ford to be full go for the B1G schedule.
Click to expand...
I thought Franklin said the he fully expects Ford to be ready for the start of Fall practices.

I don't remember hearing anything specific regarding Andrews but he is listed at 291 lbs on the PSU roster so it seems reasonable that his size won't prevent him from seeing the field if he is playing well enough to make the rotation. DT (and DE) will really be positions to watch (or better, listen for...) during the Fall camp updates as a good many players will be competing in Fall camp and likely into the beginning OOC games to get into the depth chart that will put them on the field as backups in the heart of the season.
 
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GregInPitt said:
Yep, Adirika could end up playing. But it will depend a lot on how Blanding, Artis, Cook, Andrews and Wafle do, and if Durant, Ford and Gilliam stay healthy. We know that Durant, Ford and Gilliam are 3 of the 6-5 DT's that will play a lot this season, so unless Adirika is showing to be better 3 or 4 of the 5 competing to join them there is nothing to gain by spending a year of his eligibility this coming season. So it seems more likely to me that Adirika will just play the 4 games allowed as well as in the post season as those games are also allowed while still redshirting.
Click to expand...
That's possible although Durant showed up with too much to keep off the field at a position that traditionally requires some seasoning. Sounds like Adirika is potentially making that kind of impression. We'll see soon enough though.
 
GregInPitt said:
I thought Franklin said the he fully expects Ford to be ready for the start of Fall practices.

I don't remember hearing anything specific regarding Andrews but he is listed at 291 lbs on the PSU roster so it seems reasonable that his size won't prevent him from seeing the field if he is playing well enough to make the rotation. DT (and DE) will really be positions to watch as a good many players compete in Fall camp and likely into the beginning OOC games to get into the depth chart that puts them on the field as backups in the heart of the season.
Click to expand...
291 now, hopefully he doesn't lose weight during fall camp. He's a tall kid and needs to add weight to get through the rigors of the B1G season.
 
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