Blue White Illustrated

| P enn State hasn't had a quarterback battle since true freshman Christian Hackenberg won the starting job over transfer Tyler Ferguson before the start of the 2013 season. But as expected fol- lowing Hackenberg's decision to enter the NFL Draft a year early, the Nittany Lions have a two- or possibly even three-man race for the starting position that could extend into August or even September. Coach James Franklin met with the media in mid-March to preview the slate of 15 practices. Although he didn't mention the quarterbacks until the very end of his open- ing state-of-the-union address, much of the subsequent presser was focused on what is sure to be the team's most scrutinized position battle of the off-season. Franklin said redshirt sophomore Trace McSorley and redshirt freshman Tommy Stevens trained side-by-side during winter work- outs, describing the competition as a fierce one already. "They have a lot of [mutual] respect and really like each other, but they truly are really competing in everything," Franklin said. "When they lift, they are at the same station lifting together every single day. When they run, they are right next to each other. And obviously the young pup, Jake Zembiec, is right there with them, trying to [capitalize on] his opportunity." Of the three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster this spring, McSorley is the only one with any game experience to his name at this point in his career. Playing in seven games last season behind Hackenberg, McSorley finished with 20 completions in 40 attempts for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Nearly all of that yardage and both of the touchdowns came in Penn State's loss to Georgia in the TaxSlayer Bowl – an experience that Franklin said was "obviously important for Trace." "He got into a game at a point where it had not already been decided and really made some plays. Made some tough throws, made some plays with his feet. Really took control and showed some fire on the sideline and had fun doing it," Franklin said. "That was great for him and for his confidence going into the sea- son, and really for the coaches as well, because you never truly know until some- one gets in there in that type of situation, and I think he did pretty well." However, McSorley's game experience will not necessarily be a decisive factor, as the competition enters a new phase. What will be a factor? Leadership, for one thing. Penn State has a dearth of seniors due to its previous scholarship restrictions, so Franklin will be looking for his starting quarterback to display a take-charge per- sonality. Fortunately for the Lions, both of their leading contenders displayed that ability in high school. McSorley took part in four state title games in his native Vir- ginia, while Stevens made his own mark as a high school player in Indianapolis. Physical skills will also play a role in the outcome of Penn State's quarterback com- petition. McSorley is listed at 6-foot-0, 199 pounds on the team's latest roster, while Stevens is listed at 6-4, 219. They have very different body types, but their SPRING FLINGS PSU's quarterback contenders take aim at the starting job this spring JAMES FRANKLIN I think you would like to try to have your quarterback named as early as possible so they can go into the summer and really take hold of the team. But we don't want to make that decision just because of that." " TRACE McSORLEY Steve Manuel

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