Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/575323
P E N N S T A T E F O O T B A L L > > ordan Lucas always has something to say. The charismatic 22-year-old isn't hesitant about it, either, displaying a willingness to engage on any subject, serious or silly. Whether he's explaining his decision to major in telecommunications – he wants to be a sports broadcaster or journalist – discussing the growing concern over head trauma in football or riffing on the joy of dental exams – he insists he thoroughly enjoys having his teeth cleaned twice a year – the veteran defensive back invariably makes an impression. Penn State football head coach James Franklin knows as much, intimately well. Within months of taking the job, Franklin had already grown familiar with the native New Yorker's opinions, some of which were better-re- ceived than others. "He enjoys talking and speaking his mind, and he's got a lot of personality, and he's very, very charismatic," Franklin said. "It's not always well thought out before he says it. It just comes out of his mouth. But he's a great kid. Love him." Take, for example, Lucas's less-controversial thoughts on video games. Gaming is one of the most ubiquitous and unifying hobbies among his peers, and while he doesn't judge, he also doesn't participate. "I gave up video games when I was 15. That wasn't what the girls were interested in, and neither was I," he said. So, Lucas told his dad to sell his system, forgoing the easy, popular activity and never looking back. "It didn't affect me at all because it was like, I've got better things to do. My friends are playing video games, I'm going outside." The decision has paid off. A senior at Penn State, Lucas is a starting safety and the unquestioned leader of the Nittany Lion secondary this season. His 128 career tackles were tops on the | JORDAN RULES Senior safety Jordan Lucas uses his forceful voice to fill a leadership role on a Penn State defense with high hopes and a tough act to follow this season The J