Paterno admits Morelli stunk

Not sure why this wasn't made out to be a bigger deal than it was. But at this week's Big Ten Media Days, Joe Paterno said something very interesting--even for Paterno--about former QB Anthony Morelli.

"I thought the kid we were using had the potential to be a good quarterback, and I blew that one."

I realize that it's time to move on from years past, but to me this quote was borderline bombshell material. It was not taken out of context. Paterno was discussing Daryll Clark, and how Jay Paterno was pushing for Clark to play more in 2007.

Paterno basically said he should have listened to his son. But because of Paterno's stubborn loyalty to his upperclassmen, he "blew that one."

Just imagine what this team would have been like, if Clark were given really significant playing time in 2007. What if Clark ended up taking over the starting job after the Ohio State blowout (Morelli threw two INTs, one pick-six), and was the starter going into East Lansing?

I know, playing the what-if game is pointless now. This is still very interesting though, especially when you tie in Paterno's comments about playing the younger guys.

"We're going to have to take some young people and put them in key spots. There will probably be a couple of kids I haven't seen play yet. But that will go on for a while."

It's the first day of August, and already this team's giving me a headache.

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Kevin Newsome picks Penn State

Top-5 quarterback prospect Kevin Newsome has officially committed to play Penn State football.

More later... (I'm still at work on a deadline day)

Can you say, "four-year starter?"

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Kevin Newsome set to commit

Tomorrow will be a very important day for Penn State.

Four-star quarterback prospect Kevin Newsome announced that he will pick his school tomorrow evening. Newsome is going to stage a press conference at a local sports bar in Norfolk, VA, where he attends Hargrave Military Academy.

Two big reasons why it would be absolutely outstanding to land this kid: 1) He used to be a Michigan commit, before backing out. 2) We would all quickly forget about Pat Devlin.

Let's tackle that first point, well, first. Newsome used to be committed to Michigan, then backed out. If Penn State lands a former big-time Michigan recruit, it would signal the complete 180 from where the two programs were a few seasons ago. Remember? We complained about was how Michigan kills Penn State in recruiting every year, and that PSU was left sucking the floor for scraps. Don't get me wrong. I think Penn State always pulled in better classes than given credit for, but losing guys like Chad Henne and Steve Breaston–both of whom haunt our dreams since 2005–really hurt. And not just the history of PSU/UM recruiting, but Penn State would also have taken a fantastic spread-offense quarterback away from Michigan and the spread-guru himself, Rich Rodriguez. But enough about that. It shouldn't really concern any of us right now.

On to the second point. If Newsome picks Penn State, wouldn't it completely bury the Devlin story? I think it would. Sure, losing Devlin is huge, but gaining another top-5 quarterback prospect would be just as big, if not bigger. A pickup like this could send a message to other recruits, similar to when Derrick Williams committed in December '04. With a guy like Newsome ready to go in 2010, we could actually see him as a four-year starter.

Consistency at the quarterback position? Crazy, I know.

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With Devlin gone, Newsome has a window

I'm not really sure why, but hearing about the Pat Devlin transfer makes me upset, but at the same time, curiously optimistic about that position's future. There are obvious reasons why this sucks ass for Penn State. He's yet another really, really good quarterback prospect (Devlin was No. 5, and Morelli before him was No. 2) essentially busting at Penn State. Now the Lions are down to two, TWO quarterbacks for the Rose Bowl. And unless Penn State grabs some recruit like Kevin Newsome for next season, things are scary thin at that position.

So, what Penn State is telling us, is that there's no way they could have gotten Devlin more playing time this season, and won't make any promises to him for 2009. They just listened and said, "Okie dokie! See ya, Pat." He's already off the official roster. I like Daryll Clark, I do. He's a good thrower, a decent runner, and a great leader. But I still wanted Devlin to get more time... and keep him at Penn State!

Penn State is going to face the best defense in the history of college football, at least, that's what ESPN wants us to think. So, what if USC's Rey Maualuga gets to Clark? Well, this could happen...

And if that does happen, we're stuck with Paul Cianciolo. Don't get me wrong. Paul is a good kid, and one of the best 45-0 4th-quarter hander-offer Penn State's ever had. But come on. Without Devlin–who is most definitely better than Cianciolo–Penn State would be screwed. I don't care how many screens or throws in the flat Penn State would call, USC's defense is too good for Cianciolo.

But what does this mean for Penn State's recruiting prospects. Well, it might turn out better than we think. Of course, going all in has its risks, too. And that's what Penn State is doing. Without Devlin and Cianciolo next season, Daryll Clark would have one singular backup... Matthew McGloin. Yup, that's right. No picture. No stats. No bio. We only have a name to look forward to in 2009.

This leaves Penn State in some quandry. If Joe Paterno and the staff play its cards right, the Devlin loss could turn out to be a benefit to recruiting. Let's say Kevin Newsome was on the fence about Penn State, seeing that the Lions' quarterbacks usually sit the bench in favor of seniority. Well, Kev, there's no one but you after Clark leaves! So I guess you could call that my plea for Newsome to take a hard look at Penn State's quarterback situation. Should Newsome decide to sign with Penn State, the loss of Devlin could mean good things for Happy Valley. The Lions would have him come in next season, possibly redshirt (although with such a think QB group, I doubt RS would happen), and get a very good three to four years of him as a starter.

Funny, I intended this to be a short post. Penn State football will do this to you...

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Clark Gets 5th Year

ESPN is saying Daryll Clark will get his fifth year of eligibility, according to Penn State. I haven't seen anything on Rivals, Scout or other PSU blogs, but I guess it's true. After all, we know how ESPN practices solid, ethical journalism.

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