It’s still uncertain just who will replace Daryll Clark at quarterback for Penn State, although Kevin Newsome seems to have the leg up right now in the competition.
One thing we could probably write down with a Sharpie is just who the starting QB won’t be.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, head coach Joe Paterno spoke on the talented freshman in his 2010 recruiting class, including touted QB Paul Jones. Based on the generalities Paterno touched on regarding freshman contributing early, Newsome can cross Jones off any list of potential challengers for the job.
“Freshmen? I don’t even know they exist,” Paterno said when asked about Jones and several other first-year players. “You can’t count on them. You want to go all the way down to Tuscaloosa [to play Alabama on Sept. 11] with freshmen?”
When speaking specifically about Jones, Paterno made it crystal clear that -- barring a slew of injuries -- this will be a learning season for the young QB
“I couldn’t tell you,” Paterno said when asked where Jones fits in right now. “I’ve probably seen Paul Jones throw the ball eight times in 3 days. He’s obviously a good athlete. He can run around and move a little, but it’s a tough situation when you walk in, a quarterback playing in the league we’re playing in and some of the teams we’re playing, particularly on the road.
“We’re playing Alabama and Ohio State on the road - probably the Nos. 1 and 2 teams, preseason, in the country - and you’ve got to play an Iowa team that plays great defense on the road. You’ve got to be very careful about what you can expect about a kid that just comes in.”