Blue White Illustrated

B L U E - W H I T E G A M E P R E V I E W Slade and Brown – have ever carried the ball in a real game for Penn State, and none of them have ever made a start, so this competition feels as though it's wide open. Franklin talked up Brown at the start of spring practice, and Cain, a January enrollee, has been getting some buzz the past few weeks. Brown, who is now listed at 5-foot-11, 206 pounds, was running with the first-team unit in the March 20 practice, and had a long run during the live session, while Cain was with the second team. But this is all very much in flux. FRANKLIN SAYS "I think Ricky has done some really nice things. I think Journey is also a guy we've been really excited about since the high school process when he rushed for over 700 yards and 10 touchdowns in a game. I would not be upset if he did that for us at some point this year or in his career." ANALYSIS Franklin said before the start of spring practice that the depth chart was "probably slashed," meaning that everyone went into the drills in a tie for the top spot. That may not be how they come out of it, but while there's un- doubtedly a pecking order taking shape inside the Lasch Building, there's no reason for the coaching staff to publicly announce a starter anytime soon. Four more months of competition will keep everyone on their toes, and one potential contender for substantial playing time – freshman Devyn Ford – hasn't even ar- rived on campus yet. In the meantime, the Blue-White Game should give us our first look at Cain and Holmes. At 5-10, 209 pounds, Cain has already got a Big Ten-ready physique, while Holmes, a 6- 0, 210-pounder, is eligible this year after sitting out in 2018 following his transfer from Notre Dame. Any of those players could end up having a big impact this fall, especially with Penn State likely to divide up the carries more equitably than it did in 2016, '17 and '18, when Saquon Barkley and Sanders monopo- lized the position. As Franklin said of his young ball carriers, "We're probably going to need them all." WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END NEWS With Juwan Johnson, DeAndre Thompkins and Brandon Polk gone, there have been plenty of opportunities for the young receivers to show their skills this spring. In addition, returnee Mac Hippenhammer is playing baseball full-time this year, so he isn't taking part in spring drills. The absence of those players has allowed Justin Shorter, Daniel George, Jahan Dotson, K.J. Ham- ler and Cam Sullivan-Brown to get even more reps than they probably expected Penn State lost two linemen to the NFL Dra= when Ryan Bates and Connor McGovern announced in January that they were giving up their

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