Today is the day that kids find out if Santa brought them what they wished for. Here is what Penn State fans should have been wishing for this Christmas.
1. A New Offensive Line
Penn State’s offensive line was poor again, letting Hackenberg get sacked 38 times this season including 10 times in the opener against Temple. This was somewhat of an improvement from the 44 times last season. Luckily help is on the way, the last two recruiting cycles have brought in future starters to help seal the front line.
2. A Bowl Victory
On January 2nd, Penn State will face Georgia in the Taxslayer bowl and there is nothing any of us want more then to finish the season on a high note and beat a high profile opponent.
3. Brendan Ferns
The 4 star LB is deciding between Penn State, West Virginia, and Notre Dame. He has been the Lions top linebacker target in this recruiting class. He’s the type of guy that would fit great at LinebackerU as he is a hard nosed guy that draws comparisons to Mike Hull, NaVorro Bowman, Sean Lee, and others.
4. Damar Hamlin
Another recruit, Hamlin is one of the best corner backs in the country, and with the departure of Lavert Hill, there’s nothing James Franklin wants more then to pull him right from Pitt’s backyard.
5. Austin Johnson to Return
Unfortunately, this one may not come true. Johnson is one of the best defensive tackles in the country and graduated last week and filed for a draft advisor. With the departures of fellow starting defensive lineman in Carl Nassib and Anthony Zettel, it would be nice to keep Johnson who accumulated 39 tackles, 6 sacks, and 9 tackles for loss this season. As for now, it looks the junior is taking his 6’4 323 pound frame to the league.
6. A Tackling Class
Penn State’s defensive backs had broken tackle after broke tackle this season that greatly affected the outcome in the Michigan game and made the Michigan State game even worse. If the Lion’s can learn to tackle in space, they should become a better unit next season.
7. The Next Great Quarterback
It seems very likely that the bowl game will be the last game for Christian Hackenberg in the plain blues and black shoes. Penn State and its fans will now count on either Trace McSorley, Tommy Stevens, or Jake Zembiec to lead Joe Moorhead’s offensive attack in the fall of 2016. Hopefully one of them will help lead the Lions to many victories.
8. A Healthy RB Corps
Saquon Barkley and Akeel Lynch both missed multiple games with injuries. PennState is hoping that next season, those two, along with incoming freshman Miles Sanders can have healthy seasons and help the Lions form one of the best running attacks in the nation.
9. A “We Are… Better” Tweet
I stated above that Penn State should be wishing for a couple recruits, but it would be nice to pick up anyone in the next few weeks. Coach Franklin hasn’t tweeted “We Are… Better” since November 21st when 2017 LB Dylan Rivers made the call. Penn State’s 2016 class has fallen from #4 in the rankings to #9 the past couple of weeks. With 7 spots remaining in that class, it would be nice to get some big name recruits. Signing day is just a little over a month away.
10. A White Out
I mean this in a couple ways, but can we get some snow already!! For the first time in years there was no snow during a Penn State this season. The other way is, the white out has to be at night, the noon start against Michigan was not ideal for a White Out, hopefully next season the white out game will be played under the stars.
Hopefully Santa was good to you all this year and hopefully this wish list gets answered and Penn State can continue to see improvement and success.
Merry Christmas
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