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These second-year players are now just fitting into their Penn State football positions, roles and expectations — on and off the field.
Some in this 2023 recruiting class figure to be future stars, beginning with spring practice in two weeks.
A handful certainly will be relied on heavily during this season featuring a new, expanded Big Ten and College Football Playoff. From pass rushers (Jameial Lyons) to blockers (Anthony Donkoh, J’ven Williams) to defensive backs (King Mack, Zion Tracy) and much more.
What’s so interesting about these guys who’ve just started to make their ways at Penn State?
Let’s get to know them …
Penn State football: King Mack, safety
Penn State safety King Mack (9) tackles Delaware running back Saeed St. Fleur during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in State College, Pa.
The safety from Florida is one of the shortest players on the team.
That doesn’t matter, really — except, possibly, for the temptation to underestimate his impact. King Mack is sitting on a breakthrough redshirt freshman season because of his style.
“A lot of the coaches tell me they’re so shocked about the way I play compared to my size. Coach (Anthony) Poindexter tells me all the time, ‘You’re 5-9 but you play like your 6-4. I never met a guy like that. That’s why you’re going to be such a great player in this program because you don’t care about who’s in front of you. That’s the mentality we all need here.’
“Me being from South Florida, it was never big-boy football, it was always speed. So, yeah, it’s about how hard I hit, me being able to find my way to the ball every play.
“I call it being the headhunter, that’s what I call myself.”
Tony Rojas, linebacker
Penn State freshman linebacker Tony Rojas greets family, friends and fans in the stands after playing in the Blue-White…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/headhunter-star-gazer-candle-lover-162839197.html
Author : York Daily Record
Publish date : 2024-02-28 16:28:39
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