The newest crop of college football players is starting to arrive on campuses all over the country. Freshmen and transfers will make their first impressions at summer classes and workouts with their new, veteran teammates in the next couple of weeks. Most will be hoping to lay the groundwork for an immediate impact this season. This week on the Big Ten blog, we’ll be identifying the player from each of the league’s teams that has the best chance to become a well-known name by the end of the fall.
Up next: Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State top newcomer: OL Connor McGovern
There are quite a few solid options to pick from here. Miles Sanders figures to see time as a true freshman and could take on the No. 2 or No. 3 role at running back. Junior college prospect Tyrell Chavis could be in line for playing time at defensive tackle -- if he gains NCAA clearance. And kickers/punters such as Alex Barbir and Blake Gillikin could be starters from Day 1.
But it’s no secret that offensive line is really what’s in need of the most help. And while there are several more quality choices to pick from there, McGovern appears to be the most ready of the offensive line newcomers to suit up.
The Pennsylvania native already stands at an impressive 6-foot-5, 306 pounds, and he enrolled early. Strength coach Dwight Galt singled him out in March for his work in the weight room, and coach James Franklin said back in April that McGovern “is a guy people have been excited about so far.”
He hasn’t earned a starting job yet, but McGovern is versatile enough to play any position on the line. He was widely regarded as an interior player, but the staff even experimented with him at tackle during the Blue-White Game. Ideally, Franklin would prefer the linemen to play heavily by Year 3, once they’re more physically and mentally prepared, but McGovern could be an exception. Franklin said so himself.
“It’s hard to play on the O-line as a freshman, but the fact he’s here six months early and he’s already a big, physical, strong guy and very, very intelligent gives him a shot,” Franklin said around National Signing Day. “It gives him a shot. So he’s a unique guy.”
McGovern likely won’t line up as the opening-day starter, but he’s good enough to where he could earn a starting spot toward the end of the season. At the very least, he boasts the potential to see a fair amount of playing time as a backup. And the Nittany Lions could sorely use some quality depth on this line.