As Penn State prepares to sign what looks to be a Top Ten recruiting class, there remains uncertainty swirling around the quarterback position. That very same class, though, could provide the answers at the most pivotal position on the squad.
Longtime starter Darryl Clark is gone after using up his collegiate eligibility. While it’s presumed that last year’s backup, Kevin Newsome, is the front runner heading into spring practice, a pair of recruits from this year’s class could have something to say about that.
Paul Jones and Robert Bolden were both heavily recruited coming out of high school, and are expected to challenge for the opportunity to become Clark’s replacement right out of the gate.
“Look, Newsome didn’t seize the opportunity to be the guy. There’s still a lot of holes in his game,” Scout.com‘s Bob Lichtenfels told the Philadelphia Daily News. “As advanced as Jones is, he’s probably further ahead of where Newsome was when he came in as an early graduate last year. And being there for spring practice will give Jones a firmer grip of the offense.
“But Bolden is not chopped liver, either. The thing is, all three of the young kids are used to being the main man. Now one or two of them will be asked to sit behind somebody for three or four years. It ain’t going to happen.”
Regardless of who is under center come September, they will be extremely inexperienced and will have to grow up in a hurry as, after a season-opening cupcake in the form of Youngstown State, the Nittany Lions will travel to Tuscaloosa and face defending national champion Alabama.