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

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BWI Daily: Penn State brings back most of its roster for Rose Bowl Dec 20, 2022

Show notes

Penn State football held media day on Friday for the 2023 Rose Bowl game against Utah. Check out the BWI Daily Edition to get you caught up on all of the news and notes from that event and the weekend's news. Due to the weekly schedule, including national signing day (and T-Frank being sick), Monday's live show has been postponed.

However, Nate Bauer and Sean Fitz still provide you with the latest information on Penn State football, so subscribe to the Daily Edition on YouTube to stay up-to-date. https://bit.ly/3KzEcqK

Bauer and Fitz start with the news of the day, which includes non-Penn State transfer portal news, with two former players finding new homes. Both quarterback Christian Veilleux and defensive end Rodney McGraw announced new destinations for 2023, which the duo discusses. They also discuss why defensive end Nick Tarburton likely decided to declare for the NFL draft and why the staff will miss his presence.

Next, they profile Penn State's first transfer portal acquisition, Punter Riley Thompson from FAU. They'll explain why his "freshman" status is misleading and what he'll bring to the special team's unit.

Finally, they discuss what they saw and heard at Penn State Rose Bowl media day on Friday. There was big news, including that star safety Ji'Ayir Brown will play in the game and how close he was to NOT playing in the game. They'll also discuss what wasn't said by key players, including Brenton Strange, Juice Scruggs and others.

The players weren't the only people who spoke on Friday, the administration and coaches also took the stage last week. They dive into the discussion around renovating or rebuilding Beaver Stadium, when the next step will happen on that timeline, and why it's important.

They also touch on comments by James Franklin and Manny Diaz.

BWI Daily: Dakaari Nelson discusses his status with Penn State heading into signing day Dec 16, 2022

Show notes

Penn State football is working furiously to secure the Class of 2023 less than a week before signing day. One of the critical players in the class is four-star safety Dakaari Nelson. The 6-3, 195-pound safety prospect sat down with the BWI Daily Edition on Friday to discuss his commitment to Penn State. Subscribe to Blue White Illustrated on YouTube, so you don't miss player interviews: https://bit.ly/3KzEcqK

As fans who closely follow recruiting know, Nelson's status with the program felt rocky over the last several months. That's because the Alabama native agreed to visit other schools, including Ole Miss, during the season despite committing to Penn State in June. During his 22-minute conversation with T-Frank, he discussed why he wanted to take those visits and under what conditions he agreed to see those schools.

Next, they discuss Nelson's reasons for committing to Penn State. It's a 14-hour drive to State College from Selma, which Nelson famously took to see the team play Rutgers in November of 2021. What drew him so far north? Next, Nelson discussed why he initially chose Penn State and what coaches influenced him the most. Finally, Nelson discusses his relationship with Anthony Poindexter and how Penn State plans to use him in the defense once he joins the program.

From there, T-Frank helps fans get to know Nelson's game better by discussing his growth as a football player. Then, blue White Illustrated's film analyst discusses Nelson's time playing cornerback, and his transition to safety this season. Interestingly, defense wasn't even his first interest. Nelson describes his journey, starting at quarterback, through a COVID growth spurt, to where he is now.

After discussing his game, T-Frank gets to know Nelson better with questions about his family, life, and hobbies outside of football.

BWI Daily: Fitz and T-Frank open up the BWI Mailbag Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

Penn State fans have been saving up questions like Christmas presents. Today, T-Frank steps in for Nate Bauer, who is under the weather, to join Sean Fitz on the BWI Daily Mailbag show.

Hoops Show: Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry joins the show Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

On Saturday, Penn State basketball upset a top-20 team, beating Illinois on the road 74-59 for the team's first big win. Fresh off the win and heading into the final non-conference stretch of the season, the Penn State Hoops show has a special guest; Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry. He sits down with reporter Nate Bauer to have a 30-minute conversation about his team, the state of college basketball, and name, image, and likeness. Afterward, T-Frank will join Bauer to discuss what the coach had to say.

The show will also be broadcast on YouTube for the first time this week. Subscribe to Blue White Illustrated on YouTube, so you don't miss the show! https://bit.ly/3KzEcqK

Bauer starts the show by discussing the win against Illinois and how the team responded to the loss at home to Michigan State days prior. Next, Shrewsberry discusses the mindset his team needed on the road and how he thinks Illinois viewed the game coming into the contest. He also discusses his thoughts on his role in motivation and team mood during those two games.

Next, Bauer discusses his thoughts on the team's formula to win. Is it as simple as making shots? Next, Shrewsberry discusses his philosophy and how the emphasis on three-point shots is incorrect. From there, they talk about the importance of finishing the non-conference strong, and Shrewsberry has a blunt assessment of how his team needs to prepare for the next three games.

From there, Bauer asks about Penn State's star, Jalen Pickett. They discuss his play this season and, on the flip side, how Shrewsberry wants to get all of the freshmen involved in the game.

The last topic of conversation centers around NIL. How is Penn State doing, and what should fans know about the situations surrounding the team? Shrewsberry doesn't hold back in his comments or information about how NIL has affected recruiting. He also ranks where Penn State stands in the Big Ten with NIL dollars and opportunity.

BWI Daily: Penn State's newest commit, Mason Robinson, joins the show Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

Penn State football picked up it's second commitment of the week when three-star defensive end Mason Robinson decommitted from the Northwestern Wildcats and committed to the Nittany Lions. A day after making the announcement, Robinson sits down with Thomas Frank Carr on the BWI Daily Edition to discuss his journey to Happy Valley and his "second chance" to play at a program like Penn State.

Robinson starts the conversation by discussing how lucky he feels to have the opportunity to join Penn State's class of 2023 and how his family has helped him through the process. Next, he and T-Frank discuss the nature of recruiting, what it's taught Robinson about life, himself, and things he's realized along the way. They also discuss his recruiting timeline and how close things were this spring between Northwestern and Penn State when he originally chose the Wildcats. Robinson shares some conversations with Penn State head coach James Franklin and defensive line coach John Scott Jr.

Next, they discuss how Robinson will fit into the defense and how the Nittany Lions play up front under defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. Robinson gives T-Frank insight into how he'll fit at defensive end, including a nugget about how the team uses its linemen.

Finally, they discuss Robinson's senior season film and how he progressed from his junior to senior year. T-Frank tells Robinson how impressed he is with his physical development, but Robinson focuses more on his growth in other areas during the conversation.

Lastly, they discuss what is next for Robinson and when he'll arrive at Penn State to enroll.

Recruiting Show: Are more commitments on the way for Penn State's Class of 2023? | Portal update Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

Penn State is reaping success from it's official visit weekend on Saturday with two commitments in two days. Join the BWI Daily Recruiting Show to hear what's next for Penn State in recruiting, the portal and more.

BWI Daily: Penn State portal and recruiting update | Rose Bowl opt outs | #WeAre Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

While the Penn State football team is hard at work preparing for the 2023 Rose Bowl, the coaching staff is hard at securing the next class of Nittany Lions. Today on the BWI Daily Edition, host Thomas Frank Carr and senior editor Nate Bauer will discuss the important events that happened over the weekend, which includes a recruiting commitment. Subscribe to the Blue White Illustrated Daily Edition on YouTube, so you don't miss the show! https://bit.ly/3KzEcqK

As always, Monday's show is live so join the program at 8 pm and ask your questions or get you comments on air! However, they have a bevy of topics to discuss. The first of which is the transfer portal. Penn State is sending out more offers each day but so far, no immediate activity from the Lions in terms of commitments. Top portal target Dante Cephas visited over the weekend, but so far, nothing has popped. Is Penn State weighing all options? Or is something else at play? Bauer and T-Frank will discuss and update fans with the most recent portal names and offers that make sense for the team.

While the portal is still warming up, the first commitment of the December recruiting period popped up on Monday. Four-star defensive end Joseph Mupoyi chose the Nittany Lions after his official visit this weekend. T-Frank and Bauer will discuss the 6-4, 235-pound edge rusher and what he represents for the program.

Next, they'll look at the recruiting board of top schools and compare where Penn State sits. Finally, Bauer and T-Frank will discuss where the team will likely finish and how this group corresponds to previous seasons.

Next, they'll update fans on the news heading into the Rose Bowl. Both Utah and Penn State received news that they will be without their top receivers for the game in January over the weekend. They'll discuss this impact on the game and how each team can overcome losing critical cogs on both sides of the ball. Defensively, both teams will also be without top cover corners Joey Porter Jr. for Penn State and Clark Phillips III for Utah.

Finally, they'll discuss Penn State basketball's big win over Illinois on Saturday. The Nittany Lions upset the Illini 74-59 to move to 7-3 on the year. How big of a win was it for the program, and what does it do for the team's season outlook? Bauer and T-Frank will discuss that and preview what's next for the Nittany Lions.

BWI Daily: Meet Penn State's next quarterback, 2023 commit Jaxon Smolik Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

Penn State landed fast-rising prospect Jaxon Smolik this summer. Find out how he went from unheralded prospect, to Elite 11 standout and finally a Penn State commit.

BWI Daily: Penn State is going HARD after receivers in the portal Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

Penn State's made its needs known early in the 2022 transfer portal season. The Nittany Lions have handed out several offers, most of which have been at the receiver position. Find out what the top targets are and which players are visiting campus or getting visits from coaches. Subscribe to the BWI Daily Edition on YouTube so you never miss the show! https://bit.ly/3KzEcqK

Host Nate Bauer and Blue White Illustrated publisher Sean Fitz start the show by recapping the transfer that has left the Penn State program since the portal opened on Monday. The list is surprisingly short, considering how other programs around the country were hit this week. They go through the names and assess the situation from both sides, including how backup quarterback Christian Veilleux's absence affects the program. They also discuss how for some teams and players, the portal is a blessing that can move players on to better situations that suit their talent level or personal situation.

Next, they discuss the receivers that Penn State offered out of the gates this week. Fitz is zeroing in on local prospects Dont'e Thornton and Dante Cephas. He also lists when those players might visit campus to see if they're a fit. One of them already has a date lined up.

Finally, they examine the players who still need to decide about their futures at Penn State. For example, what is the status of Keyvone Lee after another cryptic social media post? They discuss their impressions of Lee's plans and then run through the list of players who have NFL Draft decisions to make.

Finally, Fitz and Bauer focus on NIL and how things are happening behind the scenes. Bauer explains that just because nothing has happened yet, it doesn't mean that it can't happen this offseason. He discusses what he's heard about the concerns with compensation for players and the strains it could put on the locker room.

Lastly, Fitz gives an update on recruiting heading into the biggest official visit weekend of December. Penn State is hosting several key recruits that they hope to commit before the early signing period at the end of December. He gives an update on Kaveion Keys, Mason Robinson, Christopher Johnson, and Keyshawn Blackstock. Check out the show to find out who those players are (if you don't know already) and whether or not they're coming to Penn State.

Hoops Podcast: Micah Shrewsberry brutally honest after tough Michigan State loss Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

Penn State basketball lost a critical game against Michigan State on Wednesday night 67-58 to fall to 6-3 on the season. Despite a solid start to the game, the Nittany Lions failed to bring that momentum into the second half, shooting 1-9 from three point after the break. So what happened? Join the Blue White Illustrated hoops podcast with host Thomas Frank Carr and Nate Bauer as they break down the game and the meaning behind the loss. Subscribe to the Blue White Illustrated podcast feed wherever you get your podcasts.

Bauer, Blue White Illustrated's basketball reporter, and insider starts with a big-picture view of the game and discusses how Penn State shot out to a 21-12 lead before surrendering a tied game at halftime. He discusses what he thinks the turning point was and how internal pressure caused a poor shooting night. You'll also hear from Penn State basketball head coach Micah Shrewsberry during the show. The Nittany Lions' leader discussed the importance of the game and how acknowledging that fact may have led to an adverse outcome.

Next, they discuss the shooting performance that Penn State put together against the Spartans. Was it another night where teams took away the three? Or did Penn State shoot poorly? Finally, Bauer discusses what he saw and what Shrewsberry said after the game to underscore that offensive issue.

One of the other issues that Bauer and T-Frank dissect is Kebba Njai's shooting. Bauer and T-Frank discuss the growing pains of the young big-man and how the pressure of the moment affects him. That pressure isn't internal, either. Bauer describes a team dynamic that may be getting in the way of Njai playing confidently now.

From there, they discuss star Jalen Pickett's night, which nearly included another triple-double before the well went dry for the entire Penn State offense in the second half. T-Frank describes a similar scenario that the team faced several years ago when former star Lamar Stevens had to shoulder the entire offensive load for stretches in a game. Can Pickett do the same? Or will he have to find a better way to include his teammates? Bauer and T-Frank debate his performance before hearing from Shrewsberry as the final word.

Lastly, they look ahead to the rest of the Penn State basketball schedule and illuminate why this was such a big game for them to win. Bauer discusses and projects out the next ten Big Ten games to see how the Nittany Lions may to start conference play.

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