Penn State defends itself against Sports Illustrated story

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Frank Bodani

Penn State has issued statements refuting a Sports Illustrated story to be released later today that is expected to be critical of the medical care surrounding the football program. 
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Bill O'Brien says recent changes in the team's medical care were made "in the best interests of our program."

Bill O’Brien says recent changes in the team’s medical care were made “in the best interests of our program.”

The latest cover of SI calls the story a “special report” and features this headline: “Do Athletics Still Have Too Much Power at Penn State?” 
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The university was made aware of the story last week, according to Jeff Nelson, Penn State’s assistant athletic director. He also emailed the university’s response to the piece. 
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The article contends that Penn State football players will receive a drop-off in medical care in 2013, coinciding with recent staff changes, Nelson said. 
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Former Nittany Lions ink rookie deals with Minnesota Vikings

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Sherry Coons

Former Penn State linebackers Mike Mauti and Gerald Hodges signed their rookie contracts to play for the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday.

Hodges was taken in the fourth round with the 120th overall pick of this year’s NFL draft. Mauti was chosen in the seventh round, with the 213th overall pick.

Both players took to Twitter on Tuesday after signing their deals …
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Nine former Nittany Lions participate in NFL mini-camps

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Sherry Coons

Former Nittany Lion Jordan Hill (97) is blocked by Seattle's Jared Smith during the Seahawks' recent rookie minicamp. in Renton, Wash. (Associated Press/Ted S. Warren)

Former Nittany Lion Jordan Hill (97) is blocked by Seattle’s Jared Smith during the Seahawks’ recent rookie minicamp. in Renton, Wash. (Associated Press/Ted S. Warren)

A number of former Nittany Lions are pushing forward with their NFL dreams. Nine players from Penn State participated in rookie minicamps this month.

During last month’s NFL Draft, three Nittany Lions were selected, including first-team All-Big Ten defensive tackle Jordan Hill (Seattle Seahawks), All-Big Ten linebacker Gerald Hodges (Minnesota Vikings) and first team All-America linebacker Michael Mauti (Minnesota Vikings).

Another four signed free-agent contracts. They are tackle Mike Farrell (Pittsburgh Steelers), cornerback Stephon Morris (New England Patriots), first-team All-Big Ten center Matt Stankiewitch (New England Patriots) and running back Michael Zordich (Carolina Panthers).
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A big recruiting day keeps Penn State rising, surprising

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Frank Bodani

It will be a recruiting day to remember for Bill O’Brien, a symbol as much as anything. 
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Despite still facing several years of NCAA sanctions in one form or another, Penn State continued to surprise many with its continued recruiting prowess on Friday.

Bill O'Brien continues to sell recruits on Penn State, despite tough times.

Bill O’Brien continues to sell recruits on Penn State, despite tough times.

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Despite being limited to bringing in only 15 scholarship recruits per year, the Lions collected two more key commitments in one day and are more than halfway finished with their 2014 class. 
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Most important about it all? 
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It’s that O’Brien and his staff continue to land pledges from athletes who are at the top of their position boards, this time from Maryland safety Marcus Allen and Michigan outside linebacker Jared Wangler. 
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The Lions now have nine verbal commitments with nearly nine more months before national signing day. 
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A new Nittany Lion: Maryland safety Marcus Allen joins the fold

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Frank Bodani

Penn State is more than half finished with its 2014 recruiting class with nine months to go.
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Earlier today, Marlboro, Md. safety Marcus Allen gave his verbal commitment to Bill O’Brien, according to multiple recruiting sites — the eighth overall pledge in the class and the second defensive back in the past week. (Penn State can only sign 15 recruits instead of the usual 25 because of NCAA sanctions). 

Defensive coordinator John Butler welcomes another defensive back recruit ... Maryland's Marcus Allen.

Defensive coordinator John Butler welcomes another defensive back recruit … Maryland’s Marcus Allen.


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Allen is about 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds. He is regarded as a three-star prospect (out of five) by some experts and a four-star by others. 
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Allen reportedly also held scholarship offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Maryland, Pitt, Clemson, Georgia Tech and others. 
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He is ranked as the No. 24 safety in the nation and the No. 5 overall player in Maryland, according to 247Sports. 
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Scholarships at PSU have become a numbers game

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Jim Seip

Down to 67 scholarships before the start of preseason practice, Penn State has nearly reached its NCAA-imposed 65 scholarship limit a year before it was required to. In the latest podcast, Frank Bodani and Jim Seip discuss how this will affect recruiting. Versatility will be a key word for PSU moving forward.

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Penn State patience: Expect opponents like Miami and Virginia Tech after the sanctions

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Frank Bodani

Bill O’Brien has to be looking ahead even more than most college coaches because of the NCAA sanctions. 
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Bill O’Brien wants to upgrade the non-conference schedule. He just may need to wait until the NCAA sanctions are over.

And that pertains to scheduling. 
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Lining up opponents, particularly marquee ones, often must be done years in advance. Most everyone in a power conference wants to play at least seven home games to bring in enough revenue to fund escalating athletic budgets. 
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This was difficult even decades ago once Penn State joined the Big Ten and had limited non-conference wriggle room — long before NCAA sanctions made it even more difficult. 
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Remember that two-game series with Miami in 1999 and 2001? That was announced during preparations for the Rose Bowl at the end of 1994. 
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Penn State and Central Florida: Much more to the matchup

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Frank Bodani

Just a few months ago, Central Florida wasn’t even on the Penn State schedule. 
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And UCF coach George O’Leary? Well, he was the guy brought up in a few conversations about being Bill O’Brien’s coaching mentor for half of a decade at Georgia Tech. 
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Now, look what a good friendship can do for a couple of football teams .¤.¤. 

Bill O’Brien will be leading his Lions in three night games this season, including against mentor George O’Leary and UCF in September.


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When the Virginia Cavaliers wanted out of their return date in Beaver Stadium, the Nittany Lions agreed this winter and quickly picked up O’Leary’s Knights as a replacement. They’ll be playing in State College on Sept. 14. 
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It’s an interesting non-conference matchup for Penn State, especially considering the shaky depth possibilities during NCAA sanctions and Central Florida’s recent flashes of success. 
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But now? 
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Penn State football chat, 8 p.m., May 6

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Frank Bodani

As Bill O’Brien heads out on the second week of the Penn State coaches’ caravan, we’ve decided to chat again about the Nittany Lions.

Recruiting and scheduling continue to stay hot topics, and we’ll talk about what happens next.

The Big Ten continues to make news.

And preseason camp continues to inch closer.

So join Frank Bodani tonight from 8 to 9, and bring all of your questions, opinions and debate points.

In the meantime, check out my column today on what makes Mike Mauti the most intriguing linebacker ever at Linebacker U.

Posted in Big Ten, Bill O'Brien, Chat, Football, Frank Bodani, Penn State, Recruiting, Schedule | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Coatesville cornerback Daquan Worley pledges for Penn State

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Frank Bodani

The first priority for Penn State recruiting was its receivers. 
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Now, the all-important defensive back situation could start clearing up quickly for the Nittany Lions’ 2014 class of prospects. 
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Coatesville High’s Daquan Worley reportedly informed Penn State assistant coach Ron Vanderlinden of his verbal commitment late Friday morning. 

Penn State defensive coordinator John Butler welcomes Penn State’s first defensive back commitment of the year … Coatesville corner Daquan Worley.


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Worley is 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds and stars for former William Penn head coach Matt Ortega as a running back and defensive back. He is slotted as a cornerback and possible return man at Penn State. 
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Worley chose the Lions over Rutgers but also claimed scholarship offers from Georgia Tech and Pitt. 
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He only recently began generating Penn State recruiting buzz but is still a top talent, said Greg Pickel of FightOnState.com. 
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“You absolutely take him right away. He’s instinctive and you can’t really teach that with a cornerback or anybody,” Pickel said. “His speed and instincts stand out. 
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“He hasn’t had his name out there like some of the other guys, but this kid is a player you take in this class without question.”
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