Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1495456
1 8 A P R I L 2 0 2 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Cristian Driver is listed as an athlete on the official Penn State roster. How- ever, that doesn't accurately reflect what's next for the redshirt freshman. Driver, who stands 5-foot-11, 192 pounds, enters spring practice with a new position. Eventually, he'll get a new number, too. He's currently wearing No. 13, as are sophomore running back Kay- tron Allen and true freshman linebacker Tony Rojas. Head coach James Franklin and his staff recruited Driver in part because he demonstrated during his career at Liberty Christian High in Argyle, Texas, that he had the potential to play on ei- ther side of the ball at the college level. After starting his Penn State career as a defensive back, Driver will make the transition to receiver this spring. He will be looking to follow in the footsteps of his father, Donald Driver. The elder Driver was a five-time Pro Bowl wide- out during his career with the Green Bay Packers, which included one season (2005) in which Franklin was his posi- tion coach. "Cristian trusted us, and we thought his best position was on the defensive side of the ball," Franklin said in De- cember. "But after going through the fall, he's most comfortable being on the offensive side of the ball. … He really feels like he can help there and have a significant role." Driver discussed his journey in Feb- ruary, prior to the start of Penn State's spring practice sessions. BWI: What led to changing positions after just one season? DRIVER: "The plan was to finish the [2022] season at corner and then make the transition to receiver for next sea- son. For me, I just feel more confident at that position. I feel more comfortable playing there. "My dad played that position, and Coach Franklin coached him at that po- sition. I think I can pick up great knowl- edge from both of them." BWI: How was your year on defense? DRIVER: "I had never really played corner before this year, so this was really my first time ever experiencing that. I had great coaches and great teammates to learn from, but I think for me, re- ceiver is definitely my position." BWI: What are you most looking for- ward to about the offseason and spring? DRIVER: "I think this offseason is going to be a great chance for me to get into the system and learn the system. [Offensive coordinator] Mike Yurcich has a great plan for next year." BWI: How can your experience play- ing defense help you moving forward? DRIVER: "I think playing on the de- fensive side of the ball definitely helps on both sides. My freshman year was just a year to learn and get comfort- able in different positions of the game. I feel like I'm more comfortable at the receiver position, so making this change has been great." BWI: Penn State brought in Marques Hagans from Virginia in January to coach your position group. What do you hope to learn from him? DRIVER: "Coach Hagans is a great coach and a great guy. I've learned a lot from him already just about mentality. I think he's bringing a big role here with our receiver group. "The mentality and the mindset of the room is going to definitely change. I'm excited for this year and excited about what he has to offer." BWI: There are now five players from your recruiting class at receiver. What do you feel you can accomplish as a group? DRIVER: "In my freshman class, we brought in a great group of receivers. It's great competition. Iron sharpens iron, and we're all going to feed off each other. It's just great work all the time — in the weight room, on the field and at speed stations. It's just a matter of competing at all times." Sitting Down With Redshirt Freshman Wide Receiver Cristian Driver Driver saw action in four games as a true freshman with the Nittany Lions last season. He spent his first year in the program at cornerback but moved to receiver following the Rose Bowl. PHOTO BY DANIEL ALTHOUSE