Blue White Illustrated

I t's not always about who has the most pure talent or the highest upside. When it comes to true freshmen seeing action, playing games in Beaver Stadium before they even know where the Willard Building is, the prerequisites include more than just a good 40 time and star ranking. Those factors normally hasten the process, of course, but timing, football IQ , maturity, and the composition of the depth chart also play into decisions about who plays and who redshirts. Sometimes even the highest-rated players need a year or two to properly transition. "That's half the battle for these guys when they 6rst get in," said Terry Smith, Penn State's defensive recruiting coordi- nator and cornerbacks coach. "It's not the athleticism. It's, Can they pick up the sys- tem and can they play fast in the system?" Even the coaches won't know until Au- gust at the earliest which of the team's 22 incoming freshmen are best able to absorb the playbook and at least partly prove that they're ready to handle some game-day responsibilities. But, before they arrive on campus later this month, here's a bit of speculation about who might have the best shot: SAQUON BARKLEY RB, 5-11, 210 Coplay, Pa. The thought going into spring practice was that someone would claim the backup running back spot behind Akeel Lynch. But that didn't happen. Johnathan Thomas saw "limited" action for undis- closed reasons. Nick Scott had a strong Blue-White Game but an up-and-down spring, and Mark Allen had the exact op- posite: a strong spring but a forgettable a8ernoon in the Blue-White Game. So the backup spot remains up for grabs. While Andre Robinson, one of the most productive running backs in Pennsylvania high school history, certainly cannot be counted out of the competition, momen- tum currently favors Barkley. Owner of the most entertaining highlight video of all the signees, he is a dynamic o7ensive threat who has the potential to contribute from the start. "He is very con6dent in his ability, a very talented guy," o7ensive recruiting coordinator Josh Gattis said. "His highlight reel is one of the more impressive high- lights that I've ever seen for a running back. We're excited about him, excited to get him on campus and excited to get working with him, knowing that he's going to be able to provide a bright future for us in the back6eld." JAKE COOPER LB, 6-2, 226 Doylestown, Pa. It's sheer athleticism that gets some freshmen on the 6eld before their classmates. But for others, it's football IQ, instincts and fundamentals. No doubt Cooper has the physical skills, but if he's to see the 6eld in year one, it will be because of the latter attributes. James Franklin said Cooper knows how to "make a good decision, 6gure out the play, read the guards [and] the back ex- tremely well." He o8en garners the "throw- back" label from coaches and scouts. It's a 6tting term for someone who grew up idolizing Dan Connor and Jack Ham, someone whom Smith sees as reminiscent of the linebackers he knew during his playing days in the early 1990s. "He could have played with me at Penn State," Smith said. "He's a physical guy. He's tough as nails. He's going to be an inside-the-box-guy [and] be a downhill player for us." JUWAN JOHNSON WR, 6-4, 212 Glassboro, N.J. Penn State signed two receivers who stand 6- foot-4 and who Franklin says "have the ability to break tackles, make you miss and be physical." That's Johnson and Irvin Charles, and anytime someone mentions Johnson, they mention Charles, too. The two New Jersey natives will always be paired, as they have similar potential to develop into prime receiving targets for the Nittany Lions. They both could see the 6eld their 6rst season, but we be- lieve Johnson is poised to be 6rst. With Charles having only played the position for a few years, Johnson, who has a brother in the NFL, is the more polished and rounded player at this stage. He's a U.S. Army All-American and also an excellent EARLY TO RISE FOOTBALL | A handful of true frosh could play this fall. Here are the top contenders

• Cover