Nine Nittany Lions land on Senior Bowl watch list
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Even though Penn State's roster has gone through wholesale change, they are still being represented well in preseason awards watch lists. And also for the end of year Senior Bowl as well. The top 300 watch list for the college football "all-star game" was recently released, and it is an understatement to say that Penn State should be over the moon. Nine of their players were named, signifying a great deal of confidence in a new look squad.
Of the names, the biggest of course comes on the offensive side of the ball, with transfer QB Rocco Becht. Being not just the most experienced QB, but college football player this season means a lot of pressure will be on his shoulders to carry over that experience to the Big Ten. As someone who completely transformed Iowa State's program, leaving third all time in passing touchdowns and holding the record for most consecutive games with a TD pass, Penn State fans believe that he could be the answer to some of their offensive woes from last season. Other big names on offense named to the list were RB Carson Hansen, OL Anthony Donkoh, and TE Benjamin Brahmer.
On the defensive side of the ball, there is no question who headlines the group. Returning linebacker Tony Rojas looks to be the leader of the defense after coming back from a devastating injury just four games into last season. Before the injury, he projected to have a stellar season, having 25 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and 2 sacks to his name. Now, in a defense heavily loaded with transfers, he will have the sole responsibility of controlling them all. He could define how the Penn State defense performs in the key matchups this season.
A sleeper pick for best defensive player though could be Iowa State transfer CB Jeremiah Cooper. Compiling a career high 48 tackles last season, Cooper could be a menacing presence on the back end for the Nittany Lions in a position that certainly could use depth early. New D-linemen Ikenna Ezeogu and Siale Taupaki made the list as well, along with Cooper's potential secondary partner Audavion Collins.
Penn State opens their season against the unranked Marshall Thundering Herd at home on September 5.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Nine Nittany Lions land on Senior Bowl watch list
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