Remember Penn State Football? The Spotlight Returns in April
Good April, Penn State fans. Have you recovered from March yet?
That was a fun month, right? Penn State won an NCAA wrestling championship, reached the NCAA men's basketball tournament for the first time in 12 years, won there for the first time in 22 years, lost and hired a new men's basketball coach within a week and welcomed back a former star.
Meanwhile the football team began spring practice. Remember spring football practice?
Anyway, April should belong to the football team. The Blue-White Game is April 15 at Beaver Stadium (don't forget to buy parking passes), and the NFL Draft is set for April 27-29.
Basketball remains relevant, however, as new coach Mike Rhoades begins assembling (and perhaps re-assembling) his new Penn State roster.
So let's kick off the first week of April with a look around town. Here's what to look forward to and what you might have missed.
Week 1 of the Mike Rhoades Basketball Era
Rhoades officially became Penn State's basketball coach April 1, the first day of his seven-year contract. But he gassed up the jet long before that. Rhoades quickly gathered a staff, bringing back Penn State legend Joe Crispin to join four staffers from VCU. And that staff began scouring the NCAA Transfer Portal for prospects.
The most intriguing player to watch is VCU point guard Ace Baldwin Jr., the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year who is in the portal. If Rhoades can bring him to Penn State, he'll have his first major roster victory.
Meanwhile, we reported on Rhoades' seven-year, $25.9 million contract, but one important sub-note is the buyout. It's $15 million next year, $12 in year 2 and $9 million in hear 3, making a short-term stay highly unlikely.
As Athletic Director Patrick Kraft said, "We wanted to find a coach who wanted to be here."
What's New at Quarterback?
Penn State's final two weeks of spring drills will continue to center on quarterback as the lead story. Drew Allar has demonstrated a will to throw perpetually, which a former teammate said coaches are trying to control.
"He wants to throw every day," former receiver Parker Washington said. "You might have to tell him to chill out one day."
Still, Penn State's staff has taken every opportunity to bring Beau Pribula into the conversation. Head coach James Franklin has teased plans to deploy Pribula in specific offensive sets, while strength coach Chuck Losey has called Pribula an "elite athlete."
Fans will see both quarterbacks at the Blue-White Game but also should expect a long look at true freshman Jaxon Smolik. Penn State has just three quarterbacks on scholarship and needs to get Smolik some live-action time in Beaver Stadium.
Of Linemen and Linebackers
Last year, several Penn State linebackers told stories about defensive coordinator Manny Diaz being near tears (angrily) after a suspect tackling demonstration during spring practice. And Diaz freely admitted then that the linebackers were well aware of their reputation as the defensive "weak link."
"Funny how things change in 12 months time," Diaz said recently, underscoring how linebacker should be a defensive strength on this team.
Meanwhile, the offensive line is trending toward being the best Franklin has assembled at Penn State. The tackles should be dominant, particularly if Caedan Wallace ascends to his potential, and there's plenty of experience inside.
Fans also might get a peek during the Blue-White Game at how much line depth Penn State has been building. Keep an eye on No. 71 Vega Ioane, a redshirt freshman guard whom Franklin said carries 355 pounds better than anyone he's ever seen.
Turning Toward Draft Day
Joey Porter Jr. will attend the NFL Draft in Kansas City, where he's expected to be the first Penn State defensive back ever selected in the first round.
Opening night should be quiet after that, unless you're following former Lions quarterback Will Levis. Among the draft's more fascinating players, Levis recently has been spilling out of the first rounds in some mocks. Others, like this one at NFL Draft Bible, project Levis to the Raiders at No. 7.
Levis is a right-fit type of quarterback who could excel in the proper system and dissolve in the wrong one. He'll be a fascinating watch.
At Penn State, another fascinating watch is Washington, the exciting receiver whose ankle injury cut short his final season. Washington openly discussed at Pro Day why he took the "gamble" of entering the NFL Draft.
NFL Draft Bible calls Washington a player coaches will value more than scouts. Even if he isn't healthy by late April, Washington could represent value for coaches who need a skilled slot receiver.
Read More
Penn State Basketball on SI.com
Penn State's offensive line making spring strides
Lions receive 2025 commitment from New Jersey defensive back
For Penn State's Parker Washington, NFL Draft is a 'gamble' worth taking
Nittany Lions basketball legend Joe Crispin returns to Penn State on Mike Rhoades' staff
On Mike Rhoades, Penn State and a commitment to basketball
What Penn State is getting in Mike Rhoades. And vice versa
What they're saying about Mike Rhoades
'I'm truly playing my best ball,' quarterback Sean Clifford says at Penn State Pro Day
Penn State's Evan Mahaffey enters the NCAA Transfer Portal
Micah Shrewsberry warned Penn State in December
AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
