Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1524108
A U G U S T 2 0 2 4 113 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M third in balloting by the Associated Press for the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award. When fans on X (for- merly Twitter) came to his defense, claiming that Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett had been an unde- serving winner, Parsons took issue with their assessment. "Nah, respectfully, I feel like I had a great year, but I'm not a sore loser ei- ther," he tweeted. "I just gotta work harder!!" DONOVAN SMITH STILL SEEKING NEW TEAM Two-time Super Bowl champ Don- ovan Smith may not have a new NFL home until after training camp begins. Smith, 31, was still unsigned as of mid- July — an unfamiliar situation for the veteran left tackle. After wrapping up an eight-season run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, Smith took a while to find a new landing spot. He ended up signing with the Kansas City Chiefs last May, just in time to be a part of their latest Super Bowl-winning season. The defending NFL champs did not offer Smith a new contract following their title run, which made him a free agent. NFL reporter Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report noted recently that Cleveland or New England could be possible landing spots for Smith. "Left tackles who have won multi- ple Super Bowls aren't usually avail- able at a below-market rate. However, Donovan Smith is a bit of an anomaly," Knox wrote. "Despite winning cham- pionships with both the Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in recent years, the 31-year-old Smith has never been an elite player. Over the past two seasons, Smith was responsible for 21 penalties and allowed eight sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. "Smith played for Kansas City last season on a modest one-year, $3 mil- lion contract. However, he doesn't carry many injury concerns, has started all 136 regular-season games in which he's appeared and has loads of postseason experience." While it may seem odd that Smith has not yet found a place to play, there's still a good chance he will suit up for some- one in 2024. If a team were to suffer in- juries on its offensive line, he would be an enticing free agent acquisition. BARKLEY GETTING SETTLED IN PHILADELPHIA Former Penn State running back Sa- quon Barkley looks as comfortable as ever in Philadelphia. The former New York Gi- ants' All-Pro joined the Eagles earlier this offseason and has frequently been seen in videos and social media posts working out with members of his new team, including its star quarterback, Jalen Hurts. "We're out there just doing all the lit- tle things, throwing, working on routes, building chemistry," Barkley told SI.com. "That stuff is needed during this time, building that chemistry, connecting to- gether as a team. Those are little things that really matter and help you along the way during the season." Barkley aims to put past injury con- cerns behind him and hopes to have his best season now that he'll be playing be- hind one of the NFL's top offensive lines. Entering his seventh year in the league, Barkley has not played a full regular sea- son since his rookie campaign in 2018. However, he has missed just four games over the past two seasons. His career to- tals consist of 5,211 rushing yards and 53 touchdowns. "I've never seen a guy weigh 230, 235 pounds being able to split out wide and pretty much be able to outrun anybody on the field and do things at receiver," Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson told SiriusXM earlier this year. "Obviously, when you look at him, ultra-talented, but extremely personable, great team- mate, hard worker. "I know he's excited about this new change in his career. And, when you look at him, he's one of those guys that doesn't come around too often." PENN STATE DRAFTEES INK ROOKIE CONTRACTS Penn State saw eight former players go off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. Ahead of training camp, they have all officially signed their first NFL deals, with the total payout adding up to $64.6 million. New York Jets offensive tackle Olu- muyiwa Fashanu heads up the list af- ter going 11th overall in April. The 2023 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year agreed to terms on a pact that will pay him $20.5 million over four years. Defensive end Chop Robinson, who is with the Miami Dolphins after hearing his name called 10 spots behind Fashanu in the first round, checks in at No. 2. His four-year deal is worth nearly $16 million. Robinson recently talked to report- ers about his offseason progress, noting that he's gotten plenty of advice from cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Bradley Chubb, two veteran NFL de- fenders now with the Dolphins. "It's been good, especially Jalen and Bradley Chubb teaching me details like my first step and just good moves I can add to my toolbox," Robinson told the Miami Herald. "The first step in the running game and getting my hands down have definitely improved from where I was in college. [It's a matter of] just trying to stick to your man and your key and focusing on the little things so you don't have to put too much in your head. We're just learning from each other and getting better." The other members of Penn State's draft class have deals that are worth $4-5 million each. That includes Daequan Hardy. The former Penn State corner- back and punt returner is on NFL.com's preseason All-Rookie team as a special- ist. "Buffalo is replacing Deonte Harty, who signed with Baltimore as a free agent, with Daequan Hardy in the punt-return game," analyst Chad Re- uter noted. "[He] led the FBS with two punt returns for touchdowns in 2023, making the first man miss before turn- ing on the jets. Hardy could also join running back Ty Johnson in taking over for Khalil Shakir on kickoff returns if the Bills want the third-year receiver to focus on offense. Hardy is a competi- tive nickel corner, as well. But, he might need time to work into the role with Taron Johnson manning that spot." ■