Quick Slants

By: Stephen Springer  Written August 11th 2022 There are always questions heading into every football season. Fans hope those questions are all answered within the first quarter of game one. Obviously, that’s not realistic but all those questions are eventually answered for better or worse.   I asked my fellow Penn Staters to send me some of those questions and they did, so let’s get some answers. (Photo: Penn State Athletics)   1.      Who is one player nobody is talking about now but will play at an All-Big Ten caliber throughout the season? a.      I think Jonathan Sutherland is a good candidate for this one. Penn State fans know him as he’s been with the program for 5 years. Sutherland made the switch from safety to linebacker this year and I think within the new Manny Diaz defense that will be a good transition for him. I’ve been critical of him at times, but Diaz likes to blitz, a lot, so I think this will provide him the oppo...

Every player on every team is important. Let’s get that out of the way now. There are, however, certain players on every team that can make a big difference from game to game. Some teams have more than others, but every team has them. Penn State is no different. The 2022 team features a handful of players on both sides of the ball that will make a difference, but these three are my pick to be the biggest difference makers on offense.   (Photo: Mitchell Tinsley Twitter) Western Kentucky transfer Mitchell Tinsley had over 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns last season and while he’s not expected to replicate that in 2022, his importance cannot be overstated. Losing a first-round pick in the NFL Draft like Jahan Dotson is tough, Dotson was Mr. Reliable for Sean Clifford over the last two seasons, but someone like Tinsley coming in and having the experience and maybe becoming another reliable receiver along with Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith can only help ...

     Much like its offensive counterpart, the new Penn State defense will have plenty of depth in 2022. Some of that depth might not be well-known names, but there will be no lack of talent. There is some youth and in experience among that depth and talent, but I don’t think that will be an issue for new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. Also, for what it’s worth, the Diaz to Penn State hire is one of the biggest moves of the college football offseason. If you’ve followed Diaz throughout his career, his defenses have always been near the top in sacks and tackles for loss. I expect that trend to continue this year.    Diaz is big at letting his dudes fly around, play free, and get after the quarterback. I expect the wealth to be spread out with sacks and tackles for loss. Much like the offense, and I reference this in my offensive preview last week, there is depth on the defense. Sure, there might be the inex perience factor, but I don’t see it having an impact i...