What Christian Hackenberg is to the 2013 class, Peppers could be to the 2014 class.

Jabrill PeppersLions247.com photo

Nevertheless, the Nittany Lions currently rank as high as 13th nationally in recruiting according to 247sports.com and continue to be high on the radar of many of the nation's top football talent.

Jabrill Peppers, a five-star athlete from Paramus Catholic in New Jersey is no exception. While Michigan is considered the favorite to acquire Pepper's talents, the Lions are right on the Wolverine's heels.

Peppers ranks as high as the No. 2 player in the ESPN150 and can play anywhere on the field. Most scouts see him lining up at cornerback once he lands on a college campus. At 6'1" and 205 pounds, he has the prototypical size and height of a shutdown corner, while still possessing blazing speed. His dynamic playmaking ability is why all of college football's powers have shown interest.

Peppers will end the suspense this upcoming Sunday and choose among Michigan, LSU, Notre Dame, Penn State, Rutgers and Stanford.

Why would Peppers be a huge get for Penn State? The Lions have not had star power in their defensive backfield in a long, long time.

No big name cornerback or safety comes to mind in the past decade-plus when you think of Penn Staters who have gone on to stardom at the next level. However, when assessing fellow Big ten powers Michigan and Ohio State, "big names" and Hall of Famers can be listed without much thought.

For the Buckeyes, there is veteran Antoine Winfield (3x Pro Bowler), Nate Clements (1x Pro Bowler), and Malcolm Jenkins (2^nd Team All-Pro) who absolutely terrorized Nittany Lion quarterbacks while in college. For Michigan, Heisman winner and 8x pro-bowler Charles Woodson is a no-brainer and Leon Hall (2009 All-Pro) is a very solid corner.

In the college game, having playmakers at the back end of your defense is crucial. Penn State fans do not need to be reminded of the games versus Ohio State where the Buckeyes changed the momentum by picking off a pass and returning it for six (see 2010, 2007, 2006 and 2002), or Woodson's performance in 1997 at Beaver Stadium.

The Lions have always had a terrific front 7, but at times, the secondary has been lacking. In its best years, the back four has been solid, but solid is not good enough with all the teams that like to implement the spread nowadays. Having dynamic players on the defensive side of the ball is critical in neutralizing the speed seen on offense in today's game.

Adding Peppers to an already talented class would do just that for O'Brien and his staff and would weigh heavily on the minds of other recruits. His gifted skill set could also be further utilized in the return game where PSU has also struggled in recent years. Additionally, Peppers could learn under the wing of Adrian Amos, PSU's talented cornerback. In other words, there is no shortage of possibilities if Peppers were to end up in State College. What Christian Hackenberg is to the 2013 class, Peppers could be to the 2014 class.

Tune in to ESPNU this Sunday, May 26^th between 4:45 and 6 p.m. ET to find out where this supremely talented prep star will play his collegiate ball.

I did radio play-by-play for Wilmington’s all sports station 1290 The Ticket’s game of the week. Three times last season, I did a Middletown game and Godwin lived up to all the billing. Speed, speed, and speed were my first impressions of him.

Chris GodwinPhoto courtesy 247sports.com

It was not out of the norm to see Mike Munchak at the Scranton Service Merchandise on a weekend. Jimmy Cefalo was a name that was and sometimes still is bantered about by family members. The Hamilton brothers led by defensive back Harry were Nittany Lion mainstays during the 1980s. Even now, the pride of West Scranton Matt McGloin with all his swagger recalls Bradley Cooper's line from Wedding Crashers: to paraphrase, “Crab cakes and football, that’s what Scranton does!” Ok, so Scranton is not known for its crab cakes, perhaps perogi can be substituted.

I have lived in Delaware for over a decade. In researching the “Greatest Players From Each State” segment of The Great Book of Penn State Sports Lists, finding any Nittany Lions from the First State let alone great players pre-millennium was very challenging. There was a serviceable running back Mike Meade from Dover who was drafted in the 5th round of the 1982 NFL draft and that was about it.

But since the calendar flipped to 2000, Delaware has been sending quality players to Happy Valley. It started with Newark’s BranDon Snow. Andrew Szcerba, Justin Brown, Devon Still, and Eric Latimore followed. Since this state is now my home, I take that same extra interest in these players as I did with those from northeast Pennsylvania during the 1980s.

The 2014 Penn State recruiting class has a verbal commitment from linebacker Troy Reeder of Wilmington’s Salesianum High School. It did not take along after the Blue-White Game concluded for Penn State to receive a verbal commitment from another Delaware top football player. Wide receiver Chris Godwin, a 4 star recruit by several outlets that specialize in that stuff, will join Reeder and in so doing follow fellow Middletown H.S. alumn Latimore to play for Penn State.

Living in the same Middletown area, I have been aware of the buzz about Godwin for over a year. Whether it is by people whose job it is to cover high school football or anecdotally, most people agree that Godwin is the best player in the state. During the 2012 high school football season, I did radio play-by-play for Wilmington’s all sports station 1290 The Ticket’s game of the week.

Three times last season, I did a Middletown game and Godwin lived up to all the billing. Speed, speed, and speed were my first impressions of him. Middletown runs a spread offense with their quarterback operating out of the shotgun on a regular basis. Whether it was running a deep route, a reverse, or returning kicks Godwin was the dominant force in most games and a threat to get into the end zone anytime and from anywhere.

Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with the Nittany Lions’ verbal commitment.

MP: Why did you choose Penn State?

Godwin: The main reason I chose Penn State was the people. I feel real comfortable with everyone there from the head coach all the way down to the strength and conditioning coach and the training staff.

MP: Why didn’t the NCAA sanctions play a role in your decision?

Godwin: The sanctions will be over during my time up there. If my goal is to reach a bowl a game, then I should be able to do that during my career. The main thing I am looking for is place where I can go to develop as a player , as a person, and get a good education.

MP: During the process did any of the other schools you were in contact with use the sanctions against Penn State’s effort in recruiting you?

Godwin: None of the other schools said anything about that. They were real professional about it and just talked about their schools.

MP: Allen Robinson emerged as a top wide receiver last year in Penn State’s offense. Is there a correlation to his development and what you hope to achieve?

Godwin: It did not play a part in my decision, but it was interesting to see. The offense they provide gives a receiver the chance have a break year like that.

MP: One member of Penn State’s 2013 recruiting class is quarterback Christian Hackenberg who was touted as one of the best high school quarterbacks in the nation. Can you talk about potentially playing most of your college career with Hackenberg as your quarterback?

Godwin: With Hackenberg and Tyler Ferguson I know I will have a good quarterback to throw me the ball, so yes that was part of my consideration.

MP: How much will your offense at Middletown prepare you for big time college football starting in 2014?

Godwin: I think it does give me an advantage because I will already be familiar with some things Coach O’Brien does.

MP: Is too early to think about whether or not 2014 will be a red shirt season for you?

Godwin: It may be too early, but I am going to leave that up to the coaches to decide. I do want to try and start and play as early as possible. Ultimately it will be whatever is good for the team.

MP: An athlete you have competed against is fellow 2014 verbal committee linebacker Troy Reeder. Have you had the opportunity to talk with him about being a part of that recruiting class?

Godwin: I have talked to Troy a few times before and after I gave my commitment. He told me that Penn State is great place. I think that is true. Penn State is a special place and a great place to be.

MP: You have your commitment and you also have your senior season of high school football. What is next for you over the next few months?

Godwin: With the commitment I can relax now and focus on my senior season. I want to focus on my team so we can have a great season (Middletown is the defending state champion). I will go on an official visit to Penn State during this season.

***

While historically Penn State has been known for decades as Linebacker U, they have done a good job at producing talent at other positions. Godwin has the potential to join Kenny Jackson, Bobby Engram, Joe Jurevicius, or even current Nittany Lion Allen Robinson as the next great Penn State wide receiver. More impressive is the talent the Bill O’Brien continues to acquire during his brief time as head coach.

Matthew Pencek is the co-author of "The Great Book of Penn State Sports Lists." Click here to purchase the book on amazon.com. He also is soliciting e-mails for a potential future mailbag segment.  The e-mail address for this long suffering fan of the Cleveland Indians is mhammertribe@aol.com

Penn Relays exemplify everything that is good about track & field, and about sport in general: competition and respect among all age and skill levels; a party-like atmosphere where the fun extends well beyond the circle of competition; and most importantly, an atmosphere that welcomes families, friends, and cultures of all types into one wonderful event.

"When you're at Penn Relays and you watch the runners come around the last bend...if your heart ain't pumpin' then you ain't got no soul." –Harry Groves, Former Penn State Track Coach

As one who writes for the enjoyment of others, it is my job to creatively combine words, letters, and phrases in such a way that readers are literally immersed in the moment. If I do my job effectively, the reader should be able to close their eyes and experience all of the wonderful sights, smells, and sounds I describe, and stir the same raw emotions that I feel when I experience them myself. In the case of the Penn Relays Carnival—being staged a stone's throw away in Philadelphia through this Saturday, as it is every last weekend in April—my task is decidedly more challenging than usual.

More Penn Relays:
» 2013 midstate boys' high school Penn Relays coverage
» 2013 midstate girls' high school Penn Relays coverage

Indeed, the very notion that a track meet (yes, it's a track meet, not a carnival, for those who aren't diehard track, or at least Cliff Huxtable fans) could generate such emotion outside of the Olympics is blasphemous to a disappointingly large cross-section of America. For many, if a competition doesn't: involve full contact; get its storylines played out on the major TV networks to the point we all want to throw a brick through our flatscreens; or revolve around athletes who regard themselves as bigger than the competition itself; then the competition is, in fact, pointless.

I'm not criticizing—just stating a reality that faces a large number of sports around the globe (the NCAA would refer to these as the "non-revenue" sports). But, in response to those who read headlines such as mine and immediately react with "Track? That's not a real sport!" I offer this:

Author, second from left, and Bill Cosby at the Penn Relays. Photo courtesy of Timothy Johnson

Tell that to the one hundred thousand-plus enlightened ones who attend the Penn Relays annually. It's a number comparable to (and nowadays, exceeding) your typical Fall Saturday in State College. The fans are what transform the event into the carnival it is. One trip around the crowded Franklin Field concourse yields a cornucopia of sights and sounds that leave attendees of all ages giddy with excitement. Visit the concession stand which happily batter-fries any item you bring them (oreos recommended); stride through countless tents where fans can play games, learn about the latest in running technology; marvel as nearby straw hat and cane-equipped UPenn students celebrate "Hey Day" by dousing each other in ketchup and mustard as they parade down Locust Walk.

Many of the fans were once competitors at the relays themselves. In fact, the aforementioned Harry Groves and "Cliff Huxtable," a.k.a. Bill Cosby, were teammates on Temple's track team a few years back. The importance of the meet to the City of Brotherly Love made such a lasting impression on Cosby, born and raised a Philadelphian, that he featured the event in an episode of his eponymous TV show. Even now, Coach Groves and Mr. Cosby return annually as honored guests, sitting by the finish line to cheer on all of the competitors and soak in the atmosphere.

Tell that to the thousands of Jamaicans who make the yearly pilgrimage to Philadelphia, to revel in the atmosphere and support their brothers, sisters, and children in International competition. Sure, athletes come from every corner of the world to compete at Penn. But it's the throngs of Jamaicans who transform University City into Kingston that make the experience truly unique. Bringing with them their food (try some jerk chicken from a street vendor, if you dare), culture (don't forget to grab a Jamaican flag, necklace, or t-shirt if you're feeling especially festive), and most of all, unbridled love for the sport of track & field, the Jamaicans start to trickle into West Philly on Friday. On Saturday, though, they arrive in force, providing an endless cacophony of whooping, singing, and dancing that rains down on athletes of all ages throughout the day. If you score yourself a lower bowl seat and Jamaica's 4x100 manages to take down the USA on Saturday afternoon (as they often do) you might want to cover your ears.

Middle school athletes prepare to race at the 2013 Penn Relays. Photo by David Bohr, PennLive.com

Tell that to the twenty-two thousand athletes competing at the Relays this year alone. You read that right. Over the meet's 116 year history, more athletes have run, jumped, and thrown at the carnival than any other event in history. What's more, the competition is equally meaningful to the elementary-age kids running on CYO night as it is to Usain Bolt in the USA vs. the World relay. There's a shuttle relay for fourth graders; a 4x100 for Special Olympians; even a Corporate Distance Medley. Nobody is denied a seat at the table, if they wish to sit.

The athlete experience, really, doesn't vary much from one skill level to another, and it's unbelievably intense. My first chance to step on the track at Penn Relays came in my sophomore year at Penn State, for the 4 x Mile Collegiate Championship of America. Up to that point, my familiarity with the event had only been topical, observed as a spectator from a safe distance. Reduced to little more than a jittery high school freshman, I was herded through the cattle chute that is the paddock area, berated mercilessly by officials with megaphones that fought to keep order amongst the masses, and at last was released onto the freedom of the open track. Only then could I really hear, see, and feel the full effect of the coliseum, evaluating me, demanding a performance which would satisfy their expectations.

More Penn Relays:
» 2013 midstate boys' high school Penn Relays coverage
» 2013 midstate girls' high school Penn Relays coverage

The reality is, regardless of the time run, the satisfaction for athletes and fans alike is the spirit of competition. Point in case: You won't hear the crowd roar any louder than during the 100 meter dash for men aged 75 and older—prominently featured during Saturday afternoon's prime coverage. This year, Penn State's group of athletes can make history, and it fills me with pride to have been a part of our University's tradition at Penn. But the real essence of the Relays is captured by men fifty years older than I, who get the chance to relive the competitive glory they forged long ago on Franklin's dirt tracks—tracks that have long since disappeared, though the brick walls remain.

Girls 4 x 400 meter relay during the Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia Thursday April 26, 2012. CHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-News

***

The Penn Relays exemplify everything that is good about track & field, and about sport in general: competition and respect among all age and skill levels; a party-like atmosphere where the fun extends well beyond the circle of competition; and most importantly, an atmosphere that welcomes families, friends, and cultures of all types into one wonderful event. For those who haven't had a chance to indulge in a massive celebration of sport and competition in its most pure form, left relatively unspoiled by money, power, and corruption, look no further than Philadelphia in the final weekend in April. If you make it to Saturday afternoon without finding yourself swept up in the spirit of the Relays, then Coach Groves was right—you ain't got no soul.

Penn State’s annual Blue-White Game gave us a glimpse of this season’s crop of Nittany Lions and what we can expect starting with the season opener against Syracuse.

Penn State’s annual Blue-White Game gave us a glimpse of this season’s crop of Nittany Lions and what we can expect starting with the season opener against Syracuse. The game was a tantalizing teaser that culminated spring practices and renewed anticipation for tailgates, traditions and all the other little pleasures of Saturdays at Beaver Stadium -- even despite the bitter chill and snow.

But now that the game has past, a long stretch of football-less days stretch out ahead, and it’s time to wait.

Penn State quarterback Steven Bench throws as guard Angelo Mangiro protects during the fourth quarter of the annual Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium.JOE HERMITT, The Patriot-News 

No matter who takes over the role, we have to wait to see how the new starter fares through a Big Ten slate that includes Ohio State, Nebraska and Wisconsin. In the Blue-White Game, Ferguson completed nine of 15 passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns, but a spring scrimmage is a far cry from facing a hostile defense on the road, and a true freshman with no experience at the college level could have a tough time, as well.

Ferguson isn’t the only fresh face that will appear this season. We have to wait to see what up-and-comers including Akeel Lynch (running back), Jordan Lucas (cornerback), Austin Johnson (tackle) and Nyeem Wartman (linebacker) bring to the team. Although Penn State has long been considered Linebacker U, that position is especially thin this year, with little depth beyond Wartman, Glenn Carson and Mike Hull. If those three can stay healthy throughout the season, Penn State will likely be just fine, but the linebacker role will be one to watch heading into the fall as the Lions seek to uphold their reputation of defensive dominance.

We have to wait to see how this team jells a season removed from sanctions and negative press that provided an emotional spark, and also how they fare without Michael Mauti, undoubtedly the heart of the team in 2012. The sanctions imposed by the NCAA still will weigh down on the program for years to come, but the storyline of “us versus the world” has lost its power.

After earning an 8-4 record last season and bringing in a haul of recruits despite scholarship reductions and exclusion from postseason play, Penn State doesn’t have as much to prove in 2013 as it did in 2012. A lineup of four nonconference games against Syracuse, Eastern Michigan, Central Florida and Kent State will ease the Lions into the 2013 season and provide a chance to work out the kinks for this new group of players, but losses last year to Ohio and Virginia serve as a reminder that the team and fans can’t get too comfortable and expect automatic wins against out-of-conference opponents.

There still are several questions surrounding the football program as spring rolls along and summer moves in, but we’ll begin to get answers on Aug. 31 as the season kicks off in MetLife Stadium.

Here are some topics that likely will be bantered about wherever there is gathering of Penn State fans.

Now that the Blue-White game is over, Penn State football will go nearly radio silent until late July or early August. If there is any news regarding the Nittany Lions it most likely will be not be positive.

A player might get injured during a family picnic volleyball game, or worse an incident involving law enforcement. Hopefully for those that reside in Nittany Nation, that type of news does not occur this year.

Although it was not evident on Saturday at Beaver Stadium, warmer weather will arrive. With that comes gatherings of family and friends at barbeques over the Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays. So here are some topics that likely will be bantered about wherever there is gathering of Penn State fans.

Quarterback Controversy

Ahh what would a Penn State off-season be without the debate of who will/should be QB1 (Friday Night Lights term). We've seen all types, from Todd Blackledge vs. Jeff Hostetler to the more recent three-headed monster of Matt McGloin vs. Rob Bolden vs. Paul Jones. Head coach Bill O'Brien's second season quarterback situation is similar to Joe Paterno's forty-fifth in that nobody knows for sure who will be starting the season opener at this point of the calendar year.

Steven Bench spent a good portion of 2012 on the... wait for it... bench but also has a full season practicing in O'Brien's system. Then there is Tyler Ferguson who has the playing experience, albeit at the junior college level (College of the Sequoias). Both just completed spring drills at Penn State.

Highly-touted recruit Christian Hackenberg arrives on campus this summer to attempt to make this a three-way race. In an ideal situation, Hackenberg will redshirt, allowing him to lead a bowl ban-free Penn State squad during his final two seasons. We most likely will have to wait until late August to get a better indication of who will start against Syracuse in the 2013 opener.

Running Back Controversy?(I ask this in my best Ron Burgundy tone, you know, the one when the Anchorman closed his broadcast reading a misplaced question mark on his teleprompter, “I'm Ron Burgundy?”)

One of the heroes of the 2011 then-victory at Ohio State, Bill Belton, began 2012 as the incumbent tailback. Injuries and also falling out of favor with the coaching staff led to Zack Zwinack's dash to a 1,000-yard season. Those two are back and joining the rotation is redshirt freshman Akeel Lynch. Lynch scored a touchdown and rushed for 83 yards in the Blue-White game.

Now, there is only one ball for these three running backs: two proven and one with great potential. Matt Suhey and Booker Moore in the late 1970s gave way to first Curt Warner and Jon Williams and later D.J. Dozier and Blair Thomas in the 1980s. Zwinak, Belton, and Lynch could add their names to great Penn State running back units. A RB glut is a nice problem to have for O'Brien considering the limited number of players allowed on the roster due to the NCAA sanctions. It gives him depth a position that by its nature is prone to its share of injuries.

Season Tickets

For the record, after being a season ticket holder since 2001 I did not renew for the upcoming season. Classic case of supply and demand. Penn State and the Nittany Lion Club built up little good will when times were good and nearly 110,000 in Beaver Stadium was a guaranteed lock. Paying for the right to pay for a few square inches on a steel plank was tolerated because if I got out of the line, there were plenty of others who were willing to take that spot. Penn State had a winning program, a rich tradition, and one of the legendary figures in all of sports as its head coach to sell to their customers.

Now that heritage has been considerably damaged, in part due to the actions of Penn State's current leadership. When the NCAA sanctions hit last summer, the 2012 season ticket money had long been secured by the athletic department. This is the first year that Penn State has to sell tickets in the post-sanction world. If Penn State had done a better job in the customer service department during the good years, I likely would have been willing to pony up the bags and bags of cash and continue to purchase season tickets.

However, the combination of those sanctions and the prior treatment has led to me to gamble that there will be tickets available for just about any game I choose to attend. Penn State has been pummeling media outlets advertising for football season tickets. Whether it is the economy, displeasure with those governing Penn State, or a combination of the two, I will be curious to see how Nittany Lion fans vote with their wallets this season.

Rings for Ohio State

The Buckeyes went 12-0 last season and were the only FBS program to have a perfect season. Yet due to their own bowl ban, Ohio State was not even in the National Championship conversation. Part of that was their ineligibility to play in the BCS title game.

However, the Associated Press poll, long the gold standard in college football rankings, could have claimed the Buckeyes 2012 National Champions with a No. 1 final ranking. This, of course, did not happen as Alabama's rout of Notre Dame earned that spot for the AP.

To honor the 2012 team, Ohio State awarded championship-type rings. As an admitted Buckeye hater, I say good job Ohio State. Anything that takes a pot shot at the ridiculous way college football's top level crowns a champion is a good thing. It was a similar action that Joe Paterno took after his 1973 squad was snubbed by pollsters. Paterno awarded national championship rings to that team stating they finished No. 1 in his poll, “The Paterno Poll.”

Big Ten Division Realignment

With Maryland and Rutgers set to join the Big Ten (are we really staying with this name now that there are 14 schools? Hello, math!) it gives the conference a chance to rework not only the teams in each division, but right the wrong of the division names. I was a fan of the Patrick Division, Adams Division, etc in the NHL. Those names had a historical significance to hockey. The Big Ten's Leaders and Legends was just plain silly. Here is the proposed alignment:

From the Penn State perspective, playing Ohio State and Michigan every year (hopefully at least one will be at Beaver Stadium every year) will make for big game Saturdays that should have an impact as to who gets a spot in the Big Ten title game.

So there is your food for thought during those warm weather gatherings.

What Penn State football topics will you be talking about at your Memorial Day cookouts and throughout the summer months? Share your thoughts below.

Matthew Pencek is the co-author of "The Great Book of Penn State Sports Lists." Click here to purchase the book on amazon.com. He also is soliciting e-mails for a potential future mailbag segment.  The e-mail address for this long suffering fan of the Cleveland Indians is mhammertribe@aol.com

One of the most beautiful things about college football, though, is that because of the limited four-year shelf life of college athletes, we are constantly being introduced to new casts of characters

Penn State's Allen Robinson almost makes an acrobatic catch over Navy's Parrish Gaines during the Lions 34-7 win at Beaver Stadium. 09/15/2012 SEAN SIMMERS, THE PATRIOT-NEWS 

I was struck with a disarming epiphany the other day while reading about Bill O'Brien guiding an early version of the 2013 Penn State football team through spring drills. Many of the lead characters and supporting actors from the drama that was our memorable 2012 season have moved on to their professional careers, whether in football or otherwise, in which they will no doubt succeed. The likes of Michael Mauti, Matt McGloin, Stephon Morris...even more so than an average year, these are some guys I'm really going to miss.

One of the most beautiful things about college football, though, is that because of the limited four-year shelf life of college athletes, we are constantly being introduced to new casts of characters, cut in large part from the same mold as their predecessors. Think back to the original scoreboard pump-up video, set to music from "Gladiator," that gave you chills a decade ago—I play for those that came before me. Now, a new generation of eager young leaders is ready to emerge, and honor the great Nittany Lion lineage. Consider the torch-passing over the last 30-plus years at linebacker alone: Buttle to Millen to Conlan to Collins to Gelzheiser to Arrington to Posluszny to Connor to Lee to Mauti. Whoa.

In 2013, someone's going to be the next man up, and before long, this team will have established an identity of its own while still representing the identities of the previous 125. However, as I realized the other day, the last few months have eroded my memory a bit. As a courtesy to both my absent-minded self and you, the reader, I've prepared a short refresher course on some characters to look for this fall, and why we know they're worth looking forward to.

Bill O'Brien, Head Coach. Okay, so you probably didn't forget about this guy. For all the negative talk about Penn State's decision-making over the last couple years, it's safe to say the O'Brien hire isn't part of the conversation. Simply put, BOB is the man. Time and time again since his hire, he's shown his intelligence, wit, loyalty and compassion both on and off the field. Those who oppose? They're just a bunch of ****ers.

Steven Bench, Tyler Ferguson, and Christian Hackenberg, QB. The quarterback dramas that we are periodically subjected to as Penn State fans have been irritating, to put it nicely. Do McGloin and Bolden like each other? Is Zack Mills' arm still attached to his body, and if so, should we play MRob anyway? Don't we have ANYONE better than Kevin Thompson? This year, though, has a distinctly different feel. For the first time, the "open" competition is truly open, and I trust Coach O'Brien more than anyone with assessing talent and development potential at the position. Best of all, the three horses in this race are aware of the stakes and they're going to give it hell. But, if they lose out they'll know they just need to work harder. I'm confident that the guy we see under center on August 31 will be ready to go to battle, and the other two will be behind him 100%.

Zach Zwinak, RB. Why do we watch football? It's to watch guys tighten their chinstraps, put on their big boy pants, and knock the stuffing out of each other, although Roger Goodell might disagree. And whether or not you love the guys that really embody "blue-collar football," you have to respect them. This hard-nosed back is so thirsty for full contact, that if he's in open space, he almost doesn't know what to do. You can bring him to the turf, but I hope you're ready to bleed to do it.

Allen Robinson, WR. Everybody loves a guy with a sense of humor. And although April Fool's Day is a pretty stupid occasion, how can a PSU fan not smile when our players have fun at the expense of Mark Emmert, Tim Beckman, and all those other savages who want to pillage Nittany Apartments?Oh yeah, he also had more yards and over twice as many touchdowns as Justin Brown did last year. Oh yeah, he's only going to be a Junior next season.

Mike Hull, LB. Believe it or not, there was a point in the Ohio State game last year when we were all still having fun. That point would be right about here. Remember when I talked about the next man up?

John Urschel, OL. Carries a 4.0. Graduated early. Lead author of Instabilities in the Sun-Jupiter-Asteroid Three Body Problem. Good at football. Will be spending 2013 defending theses and quarterbacks. Not bad.

Sam Ficken, K. To re-introduce my movie allegory, Hollywood absolutely loves a good rags-to-riches story. We meet our timid, unassuming hero, who falls into the deepest pit of despair when called into battle. He feels the wrath from those around him, who seemingly forget that he, too, is human. And then, on the blessing of one man who stayed behind him through thick and thin, he earns his chance at redemption. And, best of all, when given that chance, he takes it. Sam Ficken's back this year, and I'll be rooting harder for him to succeed than any other player on our team.

Adam Breneman, TE. Rounding out the list is a new face on the team who has already made an impact on his own (and my) local community, and is now poised to impress a wider audience. When the cold, clammy hand of the NCAA took hold of our football program and tried to rip away its soul, Adam Breneman laughed in its face. The highly sought-after recruit could have taken his talents to any school with football culture problems in the country, but instead, he chose ours. And while I could write an entire column on his athletic ability, I'd rather write about this: Adam used his spare time rehabilitating from a knee injury to start a charity and raise thousands of dollars for ALS research. It's a testament to the high character he embodies, and it makes me feel pretty good about the positive culture our program continues to cultivate. Consider learning more about Adam's charity and donating to the cause; I can say from personal experience that the fight against ALS is a battle that we want to win.

It's been hard letting go of our last group of seniors. It was a special year and they were truly a special class. But, with this cast of characters ready to write their own scripts, I think it's safe to say that the foreseeable future of Penn State football looks extremely bright.

Blue/White is just over a week away. With some overdue nice weather and a crop of great young men worth supporting, I look forward to seeing you all there.

Which member of the 2013 Penn State football cast of characters are you looking forward to the most? Tell us in the comment section below.

Have a burning question about Penn State Football, other Nittany Lion sports, or life in general?  Send Tim an e-mail at tjj5009@gmail.com or bother him on twitter @tjj5009. 

Joe Paterno’s legacy has yet again come front and center with the release of his family’s commissioned report related to the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Before the report was released, Sue Paterno sent a letter to former Penn State players. One section in particular stands out: "Joe Paterno’s legacy wasn't a statue, a winning record or public adulation. He was...

Joe Paterno’s legacy has yet again come front and center with the release of his family’s commissioned report related to the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

Before the report was released, Sue Paterno sent a letter to former Penn State players. One section in particular stands out:

"Joe Paterno’s legacy wasn't a statue, a winning record or public adulation. He was grateful for the many accolades he received but he never believed they defined his life. His legacy is his family and you his players. How you live your life speaks louder than any report..”

Joe Paterno's coaching philosophy of winning with honor was well known.JOE HERMITT, The Patriot-News  

This sentiment doesn’t just apply to the players that Paterno coached. Anyone who’s ever been moved by the man -- through his words, actions or philosophy -- is part of this legacy, too.

Not long after the Sandusky scandal broke, Penn Staters who had no connection to the football program found themselves nonetheless judged for their association with the school.

Many of us were racked with a mix of emotions -- anger, sadness, confusion, maybe even guilt. After Joe was fired, those emotions spilled over in a negative way when a group of Penn State students rioted downtown, flipping over a media van and destroying other property.

We’d be wise to remember the character of the very man that inspired these emotions.

Joe had his faults, and, as the conflicting reports show, the extent of his mistakes before the scandal broke publicly is subject to interpretation. But the beliefs he held in his core shouldn’t be up for debate.

Joe wouldn’t have wanted students rioting in their anger over his firing, nor would he want apologists holding him up to near sainthood when others criticize his role in the scandal and say that maybe he really wasn’t the person we all thought he was.

Instead, as Sue said in her letter, he would want all of us who were inspired by his life to continue to build upon the foundation he laid -- and in fact carry on even stronger, with the sobering knowledge that vigilance and a keen eye have their place alongside an honorable philosophy and winning record.

The statue of Joe Paterno is gone, and much of the respect for the man himself is, too, but his legacy doesn’t have to disappear. It’s alive and well in every person who still believes in his philosophies: that education trumps sports, winning is meaningless if not achieved with honor and the name on the front of the jersey is more important than the one on the back.

I did not think a review of Penn State football television coverage would be needed until the Blue / White Game.

Katie Couric visited Sue Paterno's house before hosting Joe Paterno's widow on her show, which aired on Feb. 11.KatieCouric.com  

I did not think a review of Penn State football television coverage would be needed until the Blue / White Game. However with Sue Paterno going on the offensive, I thought a critique of the two major media outlets involved with the release of this new report would be a good idea based on intensity of the Sandusky scandal. As always, the television coverage is rated on a scale of 1–5.

ESPN Outside the Lines
After a look back at he Sandusky case and the Freeh Report, host Bob Ley introduces a panel comprised of former U.S. Attorney General and Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh, former FBI Special Agent Jim Clemente who Ley describes as a specialist in child sex crimes, and attorney Wick Sollers. Thornburgh states one of his biggest disappointments in Freeh's investigation is his failure to interview the key figures in this case, many Freeh found culpable in that report's summary. There were over 300 people interviewed but a majority had minor insight at best about Sandusky. Quantity trumped quality for Freeh.

At first I thought this to be old news. Anyone paying attention to this case knows this is a major flaw in the Freeh Report. I talked to people in State College during the spring and summer of 2012 and they were all surprised about who Freeh was interviewing and even more surprised about who he was not interviewing. The speculation months prior to the Freeh Report's release to the public was that it was angling to lay the blame at Penn State and specifically Joe Paterno based on those interviews. A good number of people have not bothered to dive deep into the Freeh Report and only allowed their opinion of Penn State and Paterno be crystallized by some talking heads on ESPN or sports talk radio, Angelo Cataldi (insert clearing throat sound effect). This news may be a revelation to those who fall into that category.

Clemente came off the best of the three based on his background and presentation of his view. He said he was shocked Freeh ignored the profile of a child predator -- someone who outwardly is a pillar of the community type while committing heinous crimes behind closed doors -- as it applied to Sandusky being a major explanation as to why the former assistant coach went unchecked for years. His conclusion: it is not realistic to expect Paterno or anyone to be Karnac and to know what Sandusky was doing.

Overall, Ley played the role of objective journalist (somewhat rare these days for that network), allowed the three on the panel to state their case, and asked quality questions. Rating: 4.8

"Katie":
First let me say that I never thought I would never, ever watch an episode of "Katie." Sorry to channel some Taylor Swift with that one, but here was Sue Paterno on this show going public for the first time since all this went down. The show transitioned several times from Joe Paterno the husband and father to his involvement with the Sandusky scandal. Couric always had a respectful tone but did ask some challenging questions.

Viewers got an inside look of the Paterno home during a previously-taped segment when Couric visited State College. Former players Aaron Maybin and Greg Buttle offered their support of Paterno and the family. The most insightful statement Sue Paterno made is a point often overlooked. Jerry Sandusky had adopted children and foster children. He was vetted by experts in child welfare. If the experts saw no issue and gave Sandusky their approval, why should people who are not the experts be expected to identify Sandusky for the pedophile he was. Rating: 4.9

ESPN Family of Networks:
Jay Paterno made the ESPN rounds on Monday appearing on the Mike & Mike Radio Show, First Take with Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith and the Colin Cowherd Radio Show. The two radio appearances were simulcasted on at least one of the ESPN channels thus qualifying for TV Time.

If the circumstances that surround the Sandusky case were not so horrible, what several ESPN hosts were saying would be considered comical. Put it this way, if there was a drinking game for every major incorrect statement coming out of these guys mouths there would have been plenty of drunk people before noon on Monday. Here were some of ESPN's lowlights:

• Mike Golic in a borderline unhinged rant kept referring to Sandusky's 1998 arrest as a reason Joe Paterno should have acted more forcefully when given a second-hand watered down account of an incident in 2001. Problem with that is the only time Sandusky was arrested was in 2011. I assume the former Notre Dame player was referring to a 1998 investigation in which no charges were ever filed against Sandusky.
• Colin Cowherd asked Jay why Joe Paterno did not fire Sandusky in 2001 after meeting with Mike McQueary. The major problem with that is Sandusky's last game as a member of the Penn State coaching staff was the 1999 Alamo Bowl.
• Colin Cowherd was all-in with the conclusion that Louis Freeh is a paragon of virtue? Well, I am sure Richard Jewell, if he were alive today, might have a different take on Freeh after what the then-FBI director did to his life in falsely accusing Jewell of criminal actions in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic bombing.

Unfortunately there are many whose main source of information are these guys. So a falsehood utter several times and presented as fact does indeed become fact in the minds of those who have not taken the time to understand this story. Rating: -409

What were your impressions of Outside the Lines, "Katie" and Jay Paterno's ESPN Radio tour? Tell us what you think below.

When it came time to discuss Penn State, 5-star quarterback Christian Hackenberg was all the rage with the talking heads.

Christian Hackenberg congratulates classmate Malcolm Cook, who will attend the University of Virginia, following his signing of his letter of intent to attend Penn State University. The highly touted quarterback is from Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia. Joe Hermitt, PennLive.com  

When I arrived home on Wednesday, there was nearly nine hours of Signing Day programming waiting for me in less then glorious Standard Definition (HD eats up more DVR space).  When it came time to discuss Penn State, 5-star quarterback Christian Hackenberg was all the rage with the talking heads.  TV Time's focus is on BTN and ESPNU and as always the rating of their respective coverage is on a scale of 1 – 5.

Big Ten Network
It did not take long for the BTN crew to go to the Hackenberg card.  Gerry Dinardo stated Penn State's new quarterback was one of the best players to join the conference.  Contributor Allen Trieu of Fox Sports noted that Hackenberg was the key to the 2013 recruiting class for head coach Bill O'Brien.  His commitment kept the class together which, at the end of the day, was ranked as high as No. 24 by some media outlets. 

How much power did Penn State hold on National Signing Day?  When BTN was wrapping up the first segment, host Mike Hall led into the commercial break with this promo: “Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, and the other 9 programs to come.” 

The Nittany Lions may be not be playing in a bowl game for awhile but at least they are not in the category now known as “The Other 9 Programs.” 

Prior to the interview with O'Brien,  Hall listed some of the Lions' recruiting highlights which included tight end Adam Breneman, Junior College quarterback transfer Tyler Ferguson and the 'run-on' née walk-on quarterbacks Austin Whipple and D.J. Cook. These walk-ons were deemed as highlights since sophomore Steven Bench is the only scholarship signal caller remaining on the Nittany Lions roster.  

In a notable reveal from the interview, O'Brien stated that he was analyzing video tape of Breneman during that period of time after he was hired at Penn State and still on the staff of the New England Patriots and their playoff run. 

Later, Trieu was impressed with the efforts that led to the signing of defensive back Neiko Robinson as an indication of the new direction the coaching staff is taking by getting a player from the state of Florida.

The Penn State segment concluded with a discussion of the 'run-on' program.  Howard Griffith thinks the upside for Penn State is they can obtain good players particularly those in the Commonwealth who always hoped to play for the Nittany Lions but in the past would not have had the opportunity.  Now, they can go to Penn State and have the chance to make an impact, like a certain quarterback from Scranton.   Rating: 4.9

Click here for complete National Signing Day coverage

ESPNU

ESPN in short: hours and hours of coverage with a regular visit to a board updating recruiting class rankings.  From a Penn State perspective, things picked up when Bill O'Brien sat down for an interview. While the Nittany Lions' head coach explained that building relationships with all the recruits' families was a key in holding this class together, ESPNU graphics listed Penn State's recruiting class as No. 24 in the nation and rated Hackenberg the No. 1 quarterback recruit.

If I had not known better I would have thought the folks on this broadcast were part of Penn State's Sports Information team with the constant references to a Top 25 class, the top quarterback, the top tight end and the overall great job O'Brien did in 2012. All this from the family of ESPN networks that brought us all of Mark May's ridiculous statements...  Rating: 4.5

Christian Hackenberg is officially a Penn State Nittany Lion. Even in an NCAA sanction free world that would be a major cause for celebration.

Christian Hackenberg is officially a Penn State Nittany Lion.  Even in an NCAA sanction free world that would be a major cause for celebration. 

View full size5-star quarterback Christian Hackenberg signs letter of intent for Penn State.Joe Hermitt, PennLive.com

It was not like the Lions were given strong consideration by Sam Bradford or Aaron Rodgers when they were in high school.  Heck, Joe Paterno could not land in state quarterbacks like Terrelle Pryor, Danny Kanell and Jeff Smoker., so a quarterback rated as highly as Hackenberg bucks a disappointing trend at that position.

What is also significant about this particular recruit is the hope for the immediate and long term future it represents.  When those sanctions were shackled to Penn State just about every gas bag in the media was attempting to outscream Steven A. Smith and proclaim that this would cripple Nittany Lion football for at least a decade if not more.  With little to fire back at those claims, it was not a very happy outlook in  central Pennsylvania valley. 

5-star quarterback Christian Hackenberg gets ready to sign letter of intent for Penn StateJoe Hermitt, PennLive.com  

Even though Hackenberg has not taken a snap in a Penn State uniform and may not do so until the 2014 season, the fact that such a highly touted high school prospect hitched his hope for a future in the NFL to O'Brien and Penn State is an extremely positive sign for Nittany Nation and a major shot across the bow to the haters who in their national forums clamored for the death of Penn State football. 

There might even be a “Hackenberg Effect” in drawing other top recruits for the Lions in the near future.  A top five quarterback combined with a top 5 tight end in Adam Breneman and O'Brien's offensive schemes should make Penn State a place that more 4 and 5-star high school talent will put on their short lists of colleges.

This is not to make Hackenberg the savior of the program.  Merely pointing out that the Penn State brand is not the toxic name that we were initially led to believe.  The beauty of the Hackenberg/Breneman combo is that it is reminiscent of 2005 when Justin King and Derrick Williams opted for Penn State despite consecutive losing seasons for the Nittany Lions which were part of an overall four losing seasons in five years. 

There weren't whispers that Penn State football was on the down slide, that message was being belted on a megaphone with a volume at 11.  King and Williams were accessible to the media when most Paterno freshman were not, were starters in their first year and helped lead Penn State to a Big Ten title.  King left before his eligibility was done, but Williams stayed.  In his senior year, whether running, catching, returning, even a little bit of wildcat, he was a big part in the Nittany Lions near miss at the 2008 national title game.

While starting at least Breneman and perhaps giving Hackenberg meaningful time is tempting, I would prefer a redshirt year for both in 2013.  By doing so, it would give them two cracks at a conference title as opposed to 1.  The scholarship reductions may have an impact on their ability to accomplish that, however if the last few seasons in the Big Ten are any indication of what the next few years will bring Ohio State is the only program that stands apart. 

The rest of the teams in the conference range from slightly above average to poor.  Penn State should be able to tread that conference water the next three seasons and ramp up for recapturing the spirit of 2005.  If two freshman can lead a program out of  a half decade funk to a conference championship, certainly a top quarterback and tight end recruit can do likewise as 5th year seniors in 2017.