Blue White Illustrated

F E B R U A R Y 5 , 2 0 1 4 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 4 P H I L   G R O S Z   | B L U E W H I T E I L L U S T R A T E D MEET THE CLASS PSU signed 25 prospects. Learn about them here MEET THE NEW COACHING STAFF OFFENSE JOHN DONOVAN TITLE Offensive coordinator/tight ends coach HOMETOWN River Edge, N.J. ALMA MATER Johns Hopkins FRANKLIN CONNECTION Donovan worked with Franklin at Maryland from 2001-04 and 2008-10. When Franklin left for Vanderbilt, Donovan joined him as offensive coordinator. CHARLES HUFF TITLE Special teams coordinator/running backs coach HOMETOWN Denton, Md. ALMA MATER Hampton FRANKLIN CONNECTION Huff was a member of Maryland's staff in 2009 and was running backs coach at Vanderbilt in 2011 before leav- ing for the Buffalo Bills. JOSH GATTIS TITLE Offensive recruiting coordinator/wide receivers coach HOMETOWN Durham, N.C. ALMA MATER Wake Forest FRANKLIN CONNECTION After two playing two seasons with the Chicago Bears, Gattis got into coaching. In 2012-13, he served as offen- sive recruiting coordinator/wide receivers coach at Vanderbilt. HERB HAND TITLE Run game coordinator/offensive line coach HOMETOWN Westmoreland, N.Y. ALMA MATER Hamilton College FRANKLIN CONNECTION Hand had been at Van- derbilt for a year when Franklin arrived. He stayed on as line coach and last year was named run game coordinator. RICKY RAHNE TITLE Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach HOMETOWN Morrison, Colo. ALMA MATER Cornell FRANKLIN CONNECTION Rahne met Franklin at Kansas State in the mid-2000s when he was an assistant coach and Franklin was the Wild- cats' offensive coordinator. After Franklin was named Vanderbilt's head coach, he hired Rahne to coach the Commodores' quarter- backs. TAROW BARNEY DT | 6-2 | 300 Bainbridge, Fla. NW Mississippi C.C. MARCUS ALLEN Saf. |6-2| 200 Upper Marlboro, Md. Wise MARK ALLEN RB | 5-7 | 190 Hyattsville, Md. DeMatha NOAH BEH OL | 6-6 | 260 Scranton, Pa. Scranton Prep TROY APKE WR | 6-2 | 195 Mt. Lebanon, Pa. Mt. Lebanon SAEED BLACKNALL WR | 6-2 | 210 Manalapan, N.J. Manalapan PHIL'S TAKE Brosnan is a tall offensive line prospect with the kind of frame that should allow him to add significant weight. All four of the Nittany Lions' offensive line recruits stand 6-6 or taller, and all four are projected to play tackle. I expect Brosnan to redshirt this fall as he bulks up in antici- pation of his playing debut in 2015. PHIL'S TAKE When Allen steps on campus in June, it's likely that he'll have an opportunity to contribute right away. Allen has the size and speed (4.55 seconds in the 40-yard dash) to play either safety spot. He could also make a difference on the kick-coverage units, which is why I don't expect him to be redshirted this fall. PHIL'S TAKE Allen is small, but he runs with surprising power between the tackles. He is able to hide behind blockers at the line of scrimmage and then accelerate through the hole. Allen experienced some injury problems in the latter half of his high school career, but he's said to have made a full re- covery. I think it's likely he will be redshirted this fall. PHIL'S TAKE Barney enrolled at PSU in January and is able to participate in spring practice. That should prove signifi- cant down the road. Barney reportedly has 4.85-second 40- yard speed and exceptional lateral quickness. He's also very strong, benching close to 400 pounds. He figures to get a shot at the starting one-technique defensive tackle position. PHIL'S TAKE Apke has excellent size, good speed and runs precise routes. As a senior, he played on a Mt. Lebanon team that had real problems throwing the ball, yet he still finished with 40 receptions. Apke is one of the reasons why I believe PSU has recruited the Big Ten's best wide receiver group. He could end up being this class's biggest surprise on offense. PHIL'S TAKE Beh could play on both sides of the ball. I ex- pect him to redshirt as a freshman and begin his career at the left tackle position on the offensive line. He has a tall frame that appears capable of handling more than 300 pounds. If the team's needs change, he could also play the strongside defensive end position. PHIL'S TAKE Blacknall combines with Troy Apke, Chris God- win and DeAndre Thompkins to give Penn State the top re- ceiver group in the Big Ten this year. I don't think there's any chance he will be redshirted this fall. In fact, because of his ability to create mismatches in the secondary, I think he has a chance to make a major impact as a true freshman. BRENDAN BROSNAN OL | 6-6 | 285 Park Ridge, Ill. Maine South

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