Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/847744
2 0 1 7 S E A S O N P R E V I E W A s Penn State's next group of incom- ing freshmen were signing their let- ters of intent in February, Jason Cabinda was one of the first to formally introduce them, smiling wide and in- tently on-task as he presented the Class of 2017 to the Nittany Lions' fan base. Most of those players were more than four months away from their June arrival, yet they were already being shepherded by their captain. And that warm welcome was only the start. As he prepares for his final season, Cabinda is eager to help groom those players into contributors. It was the week before national signing day when a member of the athletic communica- tions staff ap- proached the rising senior linebacker about joining her for an in-house broad- cast showcasing the new recruits. "I thought it would be a good opportunity," said Cabinda, an economics major who has thought about a career in sports media after his playing career is over. "I couldn't turn it down." Prior to the broadcast, which appeared online at GoPSUSports.com, Cabinda and Arielle Sargent met together for the better part of the preceding week. Almost as though they were preparing in the film room, they studied the tape of each re- cruit before displaying it during their web stream the following Wednesday, while also reviewing prospect bios and coming up with interview questions for the guests they would host throughout the show. An effective leader, after all, knows his constituents. Speaking aloud and com- manding attention are two of the many applicable traits that help set Cabinda apart on the football field. They explain why he was the first athlete Sargent sought to be her co-host, and why his teammates voted him one of three cap- tains before the start of spring practice. Referring to the latter, he said, "There is not a greater honor as an athlete." If Feb. 1 marked the arrival of the Class of 2017, then it also further spotlighted Cabinda, who might just be the voice of 2017. With a tone that easily bellows out among the rest, Cabinda has been a near- prototypical fit for the middle linebacker position in coordinator Brent Pry's de- fense. It's not just the white neck roll above his shoulder pads that helps illus- trate the model. It's not just his thumping style of tackling. It's also the charge with which he calls the huddle, aligns the line- men in front of him to the opponent's for- mation and leads with an overall sense of respected authority. "He's very demanding, and we actually need that. I think we need that more than anything," junior defensive end Torrence Brown | THE CHASE IS ON Cabinda pursues Southern Cal quarter- back Sam Darnold in the Rose Bowl. The Nittany Lions' 52-49 loss to the Trojans has helped keep players motivated throughout the off-season, the senior linebacker said. Photo by Steve Manuel