The mystery of Christian Hackenberg NFL Draft stock is captivating NFL and college football scholars across the nation. Ever since he became the leader of Penn State football, Hackenberg has made for a fascinating character study. He won Big Ten freshman of the year during his one season in Bill O’Brien’s system. His numbers were so prolific that draftniks everywhere started penciling him as the #1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Then last year happened, and he took a very significant step back. However, he also closed the campaign with the finest game of his young career in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Let the over-analysis of pervasive talking points commence! It’s time for the Never Too Early Penn State football season preview.
Penn State football players attending Big Ten Media Day:
Jordan Lucas, Sr., S*
Angelo Mangiro, Sr., C/G*
Anthony Zettel, Sr., DT*
Wait, no Hackenberg? Are you serious? What is Coach James Franklin thinking? Who knows; that decision is inexplicable. Of course, the media will just end up asking questions back Hack and then writing about him anyway. Sorry, stories on offensive linemen just don’t move the needle at all.
Offense:
QB: Hackenberg took a major step backward last year as he adjusted to a new system, and was sacked a school record 44 times. Also, his receivers were young and inexperienced. Yes, it’s not all his fault that he was so bad during the regular season. The O Line was 119th out of 125 teams in sacks allowed last season.
Of course, Hackenberg made a lot of his own problems too. He obviously felt very uncomfortable behind his OL, held on to the ball too long at times, and forced some bad throws. His 15 interceptions tied a school record. Then again, he also saved his best for last in the bowl game, and after just two seasons, he’s the third all-time leading passer in Penn State football history.
His size, mobility and arm strength are all NFL ideal and he’s still viewed as quite possibly the #1 QB off the board come April. Remember this past draft when the media was clamoring for Chip Kelly to somehow find a way to draft Marcus Mariota? Look for that again this spring with Hackenberg and O’Brien.
RB: The ground game was the better component of the attack last season. Akeel Lynch asserted himself during the year as the true feature back. Now he begins the season as the starter. Feel good about this position group, Penn State football fans.
Line: Well, they do return four of the five starters for what it’s worth. And we’ve already established how bad they were; so it can only go up from here. Help comes from Paris Palmer, a junior college transfer Left Tackle (and by the sound of his name, an 1840s riverboat gambler). He’ll automatically upgrade the line, and also presumably take your money with a pair pockets aces before you even have time to finish your XXX moonshine.
WR: What was not exactly the strongest position on the team last season is now a relative strength. All DaeSean Hamilton did in his first year as a starter was lead the Big Ten in receptions per game (second most in PSU history for a single season)
Defense:
Line: Zettel is is the real deal. Applaud Franklin for bringing him to Chicago later this month. This guy could rival Ohio State’s Joey Bosa for league defender of the year. He might be the second DT off the board come draft day too. Austin Johnson is an underrated run stuffer.
Linebackers: Losing Michael Hull is a big deal. He truly was the latest in the long line of “Linebacker U.” What this team does here, in his absence is a dominant storyline this Penn State football preseason. This group does not have a Hull; and nothing close. Nyeem Wartman-White takes his place in the middle. That’s a very good thing, as now he slides over to his natural position.
Secondary: Will be a strength of the team. They return 3/4 starters.
Bottom Line: Penn State football is essentially just like a whole host of very talented teams in the NBA’s Western Conference- very talented, but sorry, you’re in the wrong division. The NBA Eastern Conference is like the Big Ten West; it’s rather soft in juxtaposition. PSU, unfortunately, plays in the big boy division, so I really can’t see them moving any higher than third or winning more than 9 games.
Never Too Early Season Preview Series:
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with Fox Sports Digital. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous sports talk radio stations all across the country.
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