BWI Live: A Penn State football podcast from Blue White Illustrated

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BWI Daily: Did Ellis Brooks make a mistake opting out of bowl game? Dec 21, 2021

Show notes

News broke on Monday that Penn State football will play the Outback Bowl without both of their starting box linebackers. That's because fifth-year player Ellis Brooks announced his decision to forego his extra year of eligibility and skip the bowl game to focus on the NFL.

Did he make the right decision? With mixed opinions as to what Brooks should have done, film analyst and host of the BWI Daily Edition, Thomas Frank Carr, went to the film to find out.

He starts with the caveat that he's a fan of how Brooks plays football and has a soft spot for players with underrated skills. He also sets the expectations of what you'll hear throughout the episode regarding the projection of Brooks' draft stock. At the end of the episode, he promises to provide a range of rounds for the Penn State linebacker.

With that in mind, he shares his scouting notes on Brooks that he took while looking at his game. He notes that Brooks isn't the athlete the consensus is painting him out to be. Additionally, T-Frank points to non-obvious skills that Brooks exhibits that can help him win in the NFL. T-Frank also explains why the former Penn State linebacker is so good at playing the run despite not having dominant physical traits.

Those same underrated traits make Brooks a good coverage linebacker. While he doesn't exhibit elite speed or burst, there are things that the Virginia native does that make up for those deficiencies. T-Frank provides specific examples from games in 2021 to illustrate his point about Brook's run defense and coverage ability.

After that, he dives into PFF data to check his work. Some numbers surprised T-Frank, and he shares them with you. He also explains the disconnect between his evaluation and what the production says of Brooks as a coverage defender. The former Penn State Nittany Lion was excellent against the run, and T-Frank backs that up with solid numbers.

Finally, he tells you whether or not Brooks made the right decision opting out of the bowl game. He provides context to the decision based on his evaluation and the reality of the situation. In the end, injury risk is undoubtedly a part of the equation, but it's not the main reason to opt out.

Recruiting Pod: Penn State picks up Joshua Miller; 2023 linemen to know and early signing day recap Dec 21, 2021

Show notes

The penultimate Penn State recruiting podcast of 2021 from Blue-White Illustrated is now live.

Hosts Ryan Snyder and Greg Pickel start this episode by discussing Joshua Miller's decision to pick Penn State on Dec. 20. The Lions are now up to five commits in the next cycle. From there, the duo discusses which other 2023 dominos could fall in Phil Trautwein's favor. Then, they talk about junior tight end Andrew Rappleyea and where his recruitment stands at this juncture before closing the show with an early signing day recap.

BWI Daily: Young players to watch in Outback Bowl Dec 20, 2021

Show notes

Penn State football takes on Arkansas in the Outback Bowl on January 1st, and Blue White Illustrated was at Penn Sate's open practice on Friday. Senior Editor Nate Bauer joins the show today to discuss what he saw. He joins host Thomas Frank Carr to share the players they're hoping to learn more about during the game based on playing time and availability.

Before that, they follow up on a discussion from last week. Previously, Bauer and T-Frank discussed an article stating that the Villanova defense had a tell from a Penn State offensive player. As a result, they could diagnose if the Nittany Lions were about to run or pass on almost every play. Bauer asked Franklin about the situations and got an interesting answer that he and T-Frank delve into on the show. T-Frank went back and watched the film to confirm which lineman it was and what he was doing to tip the play.

After that, they have a conversation about how something like that could happen into the season's fourth game and how Penn State fans should feel about that.

Next, they discuss what Bauer saw at practice on Friday and which players were absent from the media's portion of the event. Then, with that information in mind, they give you the young players they're most interested in watching during the bowl game if those players indeed are the starters.

The first player that T-Frank brings up is offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, who was taking reps with the first team. How significant is it that he saw snaps with the first team? T-Frank wants to see Penn State's plan going forward, and where Fashanu plays is a crucial piece of that puzzle.

The next player they discuss is wide receiver Malick Meiga. Was his play at the end of the 2021 regular season a mirage? Or is he going to be a major factor going into 2022? His play will also inform Bauer and T-Frank of what Penn State might plan to do in another area this offseason.

After Meiga, they discuss the defensive line position and which players are essential going forward. Which players see time? Who steps up in the likely absence of defensive end Arnold Ebiketie? After that, they transition to linebacker where Bauer saw a significant re-shuffling of players on Friday.

They round out the show to discuss the safety position and which players will see time if All-American Jaquan Brisker opts out of the game. Penn State has several players that have seen time at the position, but who sees more reps, and where? Those answers could be early clues as to what will happen in 2022.

BWI Daily: Bowl Media Day Wrap up with Nate Bauer Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

With the team beginning practice today, Penn State football held their bowl media day on Friday in preparation for the Outback Bowl on January 1st against Arkansas. Senior Editor for Blue White Illustrated Nate Bauer and host of the BWI Daily Edition, Thomas Frank Carr, were on hand to take in the sights and sounds. They bring you their observations on today’s show.

First, they start with the biggest news of the day, introducing new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. Bauer and T-Frank discuss their initial impressions of Diaz, his comments and responses to tough questions about his previous job, and his fit at Penn State. The two discuss how Diaz echoed similar but unrelated sentiments to what Head Coach James Franklin said earlier in the day.

Next, the pair gave their thoughts on what Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich had to say about his side of the ball in 2021. First, Yurcich took ownership of the situation and answered questions about the running game, his system, and more. Next, T-Frank and Bauer talked about the moments that stood out to them, including an illuminating answers at the end of the press conference.

Bauer and T-Frank dove into the quarterback conversation and what sixth-year senior Sean Clifford can provide for the young players that just joined his room in five-star quarterback Drew Allar and three-star Beau Pribula. How can Clifford help bridge the gap beyond his play? Can the embattled signal-caller raise his game with one final year at Penn State? Bauer and T-Frank discuss that and more.

Finally, they share the interesting conversations they had with individual players throughout the day with the audience. Those players include running back Noah Cain, right tackle Caedan Wallace, and safeties Keaton Ellis and Ji’Ayir Brown.

Cain discussed his health in 2021 and the issues in the running game that held the Penn State offense back. Were there issues that went deeper than just missed blocks or wrong reads? Bauer reads between the lines with Cain’s answer to try and find the truth. Meanwhile, Wallace discussed his development at right tackle and some of the offensive line’s struggles in 2021. He also gave an unexpected answer to a question that raised T-Frank’s attention.

They wrap up with a discussion about the fixes in the future for the offense.

BWI Live: Signing Day Recap Show Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

Recap Penn State recruiting's biggest day with the BWI Live, Signing Day Special.

Host Tom Hannifan takes you through the Penn State recruiting class with film analyst for Blue White Illustrated, Thomas Frank Carr.

First, you'll also hear from On3 recruiting insider Ryan Snyder as he gives his thoughts on the class, the stories that defined it, and his thoughts on the prospects. Also, director for Scouting and Ranking for On3 Charles Power makes an appearance as well.

Penn State recruiting signed one of the best classes under head coach James Franklin on Wednesday with two consensus five-star players in quarterback Drew Allarand running back Nick Singleton. They are joined by a slew of high-four star prospects including defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, Kaden Saunders, Drew Shelton and others. What are the strengths of each prospect? Thomas Frank Carr breaks down their individual games, strengths and even areas where they can develop over time to become complete football players.

BWI Daily: Penn State's next wave of receivers, Charles Power Interview Take 2 Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

Penn State football signed a 23-person class during the first day of the early signing period on Wednesday. There are still plenty of areas to dissect and discuss, and today, host Thomas Frank Carr takes a look at the receivers.

There's one commonality among the four receivers that Penn State added to its roster in four-stars Kaden Saunders and Anthony Ivey, along with three-star prospects Omari Evans and Tyler Johnson; size. None of the players in this quartet stand above six feet tall, and none project as dominant, boundary receivers. T-Frank looks at the previous two receiving classes for Penn State to show just how stark of contrast this class is with the others. Was that by choice? Or was it a product of circumstance?

T-Frank asked receivers coach Tayler Stubblefield about that very topic yesterday and shares Stubblefield's response. Stubblefield provides T-Frank with an interesting lead to examine how the receiver's position has changed over time both at the college football and NFL level. T-Frank looks at the past several first rounds in the NFL Draft to show what Stubblefield is saying.

After that, he wraps up by looking ahead to what Ivey and Saunders bring to the table as the most college-ready prospects in the group this year. They have a similar, desirable skillset but lack one key element that they will have to make up for somehow. Without a player possessing dominant size, this group will have to be everything they seem to be for Penn State's offense to succeed.

Finally, T-Frank interviews the Director of Scouting and Ranking for On3, Charles Power. Power and T-Frank discuss the Penn State recruiting class in whole and part during the 15-minute taped interview from earlier this week.

They start with a broad view of the class, of which Power has a very favorable opinion. He also highly praises several individual players, including Drew Allar, Nick Singleton, and Dani Dennis-Sutton.

After discussing the class stars, T-Frank asks for some less-known players that Power thinks have a chance to overplay their rankings. They wrap up by discussing the future of On3 recruiting, RPM.

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BWI Daily: Nick Singleton wins major award, Drew Shelton Film Room Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

The Penn State football team is one more day closer to the early signing period, which will take place tomorrow for football programs around the country. On the eve of signing day, host Thomas Frank Carr brings reporter Greg Pickel on the BWI Daily Edition to get everyone up-to-date on some important news events this week.

First, Pickel and T-Frank discuss that former Lackawanna CC transfer Norval Black is no longer listed on the Penn State roster. Next, Greg fills T-Frank in on the formalities of that process and what is next for Black and Penn State. T-Frank then asks him what the process is like for football teams that have to deal with the constant shifting of the roster and how they handle the timing of such news.

From there, T-Frank asks Pickel to assess which positions Penn State will need to fill via the portal. Pickel gives his list with the caveat that some positional needs aren’t locked in. That’s because players currently on Penn State’s roster still need to make decisions regarding the NFL Draft.

Finally, Pickel updates T-Frank on a significant award that consensus five-star running back Nick Singleton won today. Singleton was recently named the Gatorade PA Player of the year with 1,311 yards and 24 total touchdowns. What other awards did he garner?

Next, T-Frank takes a deep dive into the film of Penn State’s top tackle prospect in Downingtown Wests’ Drew Shelton. After committing over a year ago, the 275-pound tackle prospect is a critical piece in the Class of 2022. What makes him so special? T-Frank shows his unique skills during T-Frank’s Film room.

The first area that T-Frank addresses is Shelton’s pad level. Where does he rank in terms of skills and ability to win leverage at the line of scrimmage? What does that do for his blocking ability?

Next, T-Frank shows just how dominant a run-blocker Shelton is and why it’s not just about his level of competition. From there, he addresses Shelton’s athleticism and wraps up by looking at the Penn State commit’s abilities as a pass protector.

After his evaluation, T-Frank discusses the Penn State offensive line class in 2022 and how Shelton fits into it. With three prospects listed as tackles, where will each end up?

Recruiting Pod: Latest Signing Day news; PSU Class of 2022 superlatives Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

Blue-White Illustrated reporters Ryan Snyder and Greg Pickel return to host another episode of the BWI Penn State recruiting podcast.

The conversation begins with a look at some final things to know before the early signing period begins on Wednesday. Ryan shares the latest on offensive line commit Andre Roye, who officially visited USC last weekend. Do the Lions and their fans have to worry about Roye's National Letter of Intent ending up elsewhere?

From there, the duo moves into Class of 2022 superlatives. The rundown includes potential instant impact picks, the most underrated players, leading man, best staff recruiters, and much more!

Stay tuned to BlueWhiteIllustrated.com for extensive coverage of the early signing period. Check out our latest videos, too, by visiting youtube.com/bluewhiteillustraated.

BWI Daily: Roberson hits portal and Beau Pribula Film Room Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

On Monday, Penn State football got some expected news when backup quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson entered his name into the transfer portal. Roberson was passed this season by freshman quarterback Christian Veilleux, who is likely the team's primary backup going forward. That, coupled with the announcement Friday that sixth-year quarterback Sean Clifford will return for his final season, and the Penn State quarterback room is seemingly set.

Senior editor for Blue White Illustrated, Nate Bauer, joins the BWI Daily Edition to talk about Roberson and Penn State's previous 18 months at that position. Host Thomas Frank Carr asks Bauer to give the broader picture context to Roberson leaving, as well as the other three players who exited Happy Valley in the last year-and-a-half. Is there an issue with Franklin's handling of quarterbacks? T-Frank gives context to the conversation examining like-programs and their issues keeping quarterbacks on the roster.

Next, the pair discusses the future of the position at Penn State and how that may change in the next few days. Finally, Bauer warns fans of a new truth in college football; don't get comfortable.

T-Frank wraps up the conversation by giving his opinion on how fans should view the position in that context. Penn State will land two high-quality prospects during the early signing period in five-star passer Drew Allar and three-star quarterback Beau Pribula. Will both start? Should fans be happy? T-Frank explains that it's not about those players but something else.

The next portion of the show focuses on scouting former freshman quarterbacks in Beau Pribula. What should Penn State fans expect from the three-star prospect from southeastern PA? T-Frank shows examples of the senior's strengths and some areas of development based on Pribula's senior film.

He starts with Pribula's accuracy. Then, just how good is the York Central Panther's ability to put the ball where he wants it? T-Frank breaks down the Penn State commit's footwork, timing, and physical tools that affect this facet of his game.

Next, he transitions to the mental aspect of the future Penn State Nittany Lions game. Can Pribula read coverages? Does he have any advanced skills at the position? First, T-Frank provides specific examples of Pribula's mental and technical approach to football. Next, he shows how Pribula combines those previous facets to play under pressure.

After that, T-Frank explains what he saw in the York Central offense and shows what sort of system Pribula was operating. He does this to explain some of the possible constraints to evaluating a high school quarterback and offer some potential quirks to Pribula's game.

Finally, he looks at Pribula as a runner and a scrambler and wraps up his film evaluation by looking at the future Penn Stater's last completion in high school.

Plays like that have given rise to a common comparison to former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley. But, does that comparison hold water in T-Frank's mind? He shares his thoughts and then concludes by offering his evaluation of just how high Pribula can rise in the college football ranks.

BWI Daily: Manny Diaz hired as Penn State Defensive Coordinator Dec 11, 2021

Show notes

Penn State football found their next defensive coordinator on Saturday when they announced the hiring of former Miami head coach Manny Diaz. Penn State head coach James Franklin previously said that he was looking for a coach to run a similar defensive style to what former coordinator Brent Pry oversaw with the Nittany Lions.

Did he get that in Diaz? Film analyst and host of the BWI Daily Edition, Thomas Frank Carr gives a quick overview of what he has seen from Diaz's defenses on film. He provides the similarities between Pry and Diaz in terms of coaching. Do they run a similar system? What areas are the most similar?

Next, T-Frank tells you how Diaz built one of the most fearsome pass-rushing units in college football for several years in south Florida. While there are many similarities, T-Frank does point out the differences between the two coordinators. While there are some places that both Pry and Diaz align, one key area is different between the two in terms of coverage and play style.

Finally, T-Frank gives his thoughts on the quality of the hire and how Penn State responded to the college football landscape this offseason.

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