Penn Stated: Talking Penn State Football with Donnie Collins

So much for Sean Clifford having to fight for an opportunity on the free-agent path after the 2023 NFL Draft.
The record-setting Penn State quarterback and four-time captain's fifth-round selection by the Green Bay Packers on Saturday highlighted what was a big weekend for the Nittany Lions at the Draft in Kansas City. But what does his selection say about how his career was viewed by those who watched him at Penn State?
Legendary Penn State beat writer (and noted Green Bay Packers fanatic) Rich Scarcella of the Reading Eagle joined host Donnie Collins on the Penn Stated podcast this week to discuss the Clifford selection from both a Packers and Penn State perspective.
They also debated which drafted Penn State player is the best fit with the team that drafted him, and which player -- outside of Clifford, of course -- went higher than both thought he would.
In a jam-packed episode of the podcast, Donnie also chatted with Mike Rescigno of the Greater Scranton Penn State Chapter to discuss the return of the group's popular annual dinner, which will be held on June 8 at Fiorelli Catering in Peckville. New Penn State men's basketball coach Mike Rhoades and voice of Penn State football and basketball Steve Jones will be the keynote speakers, and local Penn State legend Matt McGloin will serve as toastmaster.
Donnie also ran down some breaking news: The release of the 2024-25 College Football Playoff schedule. 

For tickets to the 42nd annual Scranton Chapter Dinner, visit www.psuscranton.org, email Mike Rescigno at [email protected], or call Mike at 570-466-7872.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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The NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night, and with it comes the opportunity every young football player dreams about: A shot to hear their name called by commissioner Roger Goodell, and the realization that they're a professional football player.
A slew of players who graduated from Penn State or declared early for the Draft after the 2022 season have completed their offseason training, done the Combine, shown off their improvements at Pro Day and now just have to wait.
For the rest of us, it's time to speculate.
On the latest episode of the Penn Stated podcast, host Donnie Collins takes a guess at which Nittany Lions will be picked, what round fans can expect to hear their names called, and what teams will be the most interested in acquiring their services. 
He also answers some of the Draft's burning questions when it comes to Penn State players and former Nittany Lions alike.

• It seems as if Joey Porter Jr. becoming the first Nittany Lions defensive back ever to be picked in the first round is a foregone conclusion among fans. But, is that a guarantee? Donnie explains why he's not quite as convinced.
• There's no question someone is going to overdraft Kentucky quarterback and former Nittany Lions backup Will Levis. But, by how many rounds?
• Ji'Ayir Brown will be a great NFL player, but find out why Donnie isn't sure that means he's sure to be selected before the second round ends.
• Which Penn State prospect does Donnie think has the best chance at a 10-year NFL career?
• Would it be better for Sean Clifford if he wasn't drafted? And why are people so certain he won't be?

All this, and more, on the special NFL Draft edition of Penn Stated.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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For sure, there was plenty to talk about after last Saturday's Blue-White Game at Beaver Stadium.
Omari Evans and Kaden Saunders may have cooled some of the doubt about the readiness of Penn State's second batch of receivers. For backup defensive ends, Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zuriah Fisher sure did look like gamebreakers. For true freshmen who would normally still be in high school, Tony Rojas and Ta'Mere Robinson sure did look like potential stars at linebacker. KJ Winston might be a stud at safety. The defense potentially looks dominant, even if the kicking specialists left a bit to be desired.
But with special guest Cory Giger of DK Pittsburgh Sports on as his special guest this week, of course Penn Stated host Donnie Collins is going to put the focus back on the quarterback position and the performance of sophomore Drew Allar in what, in all reality, was his first career game as the Nittany Lions' starting quarterback.
Donnie and Cory went in-depth on the receiver battle and made themselves GMs while discussing their view on what positions Penn State coaches should look to bolster through the transfer portal this summer.
Still, most of the talk centered on Allar, who threw for more than 200 yards in the game, with just one touchdown, and had to battle a hard-charging defense throughout the overcast afternoon. Is he ready to help Penn State contend for a Big Ten East title sooner rather than later? And, how important is he for a program that wants to get itself on an accelerated national title pace?
Plus, Donnie and Cory give their opinions on realistic timelines for the Nittany Lions to win a national championship. (Hint: Don't hold your breath waiting.)

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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The final score means nothing in a scrimmage, of course.
But, the value of a spring game in college football may never have been higher.
As Penn State prepares for a long-awaited return to a more traditional Blue-White Game on Saturday afternoon, Penn Stated host Donnie Collins and special guest Elton Hayes of CNHI Pennsylvania discuss the importance of having a spring scrimmage when it comes to evaluating young talent and building a depth chart. They also discuss the top players and position players to watch this weekend and delve into the focus on -- and importance of -- NIL at Penn State. 
Oh, and Donnie and Elton discuss the Drew Allar focus in what will be his first outing as Penn State's starting quarterback.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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College days have been on the mind of Penn Stated podcast host Donnie Collins lately.
His are long behind him, as the seemingly monthly trips to visit campuses with his son -- who will be going away to college in the fall -- remind him. And this week's episode of the podcast is a tribute to the memories made during Collins' college days.
With the help of his old college friend and current Williamsport Sun Gazette icon Chris Masse, one of the top prep sports reporters in the state, Donnie delves into what he feels is a key development in Penn State's offseason roster build: The transfer portal addition of former Williamsport running back Trey Potts this week. Nobody followed Potts' high school career better than Masse, and they discuss Potts' importance and potential impact.
But, they also remember the old days at Penn State in the late 1990s, which included what in their mind could be the greatest football game ever played on campus at Penn State. (Certainly, it is in their minds.)
Donnie also discusses his top College Towns in the Big Ten, based on a recent report that lists Ann Arbor, Mich., at the top and Lincoln, Neb., at the bottom of the list. Needless to say, Donnie feels that list is...a little off.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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It's a new era for Penn State basketball.
Baseball season is upon us.
And, Penn State football is entering a new era with plenty of talent and questions.
On this week's episode of the Penn Stated podcast, host Donnie Collins chats with The Reading Eagle Penn State beat writer Rich Scarcella about Mike Rhoades, Penn State's new men's basketball coach -- a native of Mahanoy City and a graduate of Mahanoy Area High School, located just a few miles outside of Hazleton.
Does Rhoades' area roots make him a bet to stay at Penn State for the long term?
Donnie and Rich also talk about replacing Ji'Ayir Brown in the defensive scheme this spring, and the void he leaves as a leader. Who are the players most likely to step up in that role? Donnie and Rich discuss that, as well.
They also couldn't resist talking some Yankees baseball.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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Season 2 of the Penn Stated podcast kicks off in grand fashion this week as spring weather -- not to mention spring practice in Happy Valley -- is firmly upon us.
Host Donnie Collins discusses some of the big questions surrounding the Nittany Lions as camp opens (visit The Times-Tribune to read about some of them), including head coach James Franklin's concerns that leadership will need to begin developing this spring.

Donnie also chats with his special guest, former Penn State offensive lineman and West Scranton High School football and wrestling legend Eric Shrive, who looks back on his playing days and what spring football meant to him. Which member of the staff is most important to players at this time of year? Is this really the time of year where position battles begin to get settled?

Also, Shrive discusses an important community event coming up Saturday at Scranton High School: The Impact Athlete Wrestling Clinic. A joint venture of the West Scranton Wrestling Alumni Association and the Lehigh Valley Health Network, the event will bring four Penn State wrestlers -- including three-time national champions Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks -- to the area to be guest instructors at the free clinic.

All this and more, on the Season 2 debut of the Penn Stated podcast.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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On the final episode of the first season of the Penn Stated podcast, host Donnie Collins breaks down the 2023 recruiting class and its newest member, four-star Maryland high school product Chimdy Onoh, an offensive lineman who signed his letter of intent during the traditional signing day on Wednesday.

Where did Penn State do especially well in this class?

Where could they have improved?

What is the one area Donnie thinks teams should simply use the transfer portal rather than scout high school prospects?

Find out as we put a bow on the first season of the Penn Stated podcast.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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Marques Hagans is a legend in Charlottesville, and the fact he left the University of Virginia coaching staff after 12 seasons overall and 10 as receivers coach to take the same position with Penn State this week doesn't change that.
But it might change plenty for the Nittany Lions, who found the fresh face they needed at the helm of one of the most important position groups on the roster with the 2023 season on the horizon.
On this week's edition of Penn Stated, host Donnie Collins breaks down Hagans' hiring with Greg Madia,  the longtime Cavaliers beat writer for The Daily Progress in Charlottesville. (Check out his work here.) Greg details what Hagans meant to the university and the program both as a star quarterback and a valued member of coaching staffs led by three different head coaches. He also checks in with a breakdown of Hagans' reputation for developing talent, his chops on the recruiting trail, and the leadership he showed when tragedy struck the program and community after November's sensless murder of three members of the football team on campus.
Donnie also delves into the recent news that former Nittany Lions head coach Bill O'Brien is heading back to the job he held before Penn State hired him in late 2011: Offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots. If he had it to do over again, would O'Brien still be Penn State's head coach? It's fun to speculate, after all.
Plus, Donnie says goodbye -- and thank you -- to a mentor and friend.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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There are no coincidences in sports. 
There is no such thing as interesting timing.
Everything is planned. There is cause and effect. Things don't happen without reason.
So when Penn State announced that it let go of receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield on Sunday night, and top transfer portal target receiver Dante Cephas said a half hour later that he was committing to the Nittany Lions, it kicked off a furious week at the position many felt Penn State needed to hit hard through the transfer portal this offseason.
In a super-sized episode of the Penn Stated podcast, host Donnie Collins discusses the additions of Cephas and rising Florida State prospect Malik McClain to a wideout group that still doesn't have a position coach -- at least publicly.
Donnie also chats with DK Pittsburgh Sports Penn State beat writer Cory Giger about the move, and what it says about James Franklin's philosophy on competing 365 days a year, "In everything you do," as one of his team's mantras goes.
Donnie also gives his opinion on which two other positions will now need help through the portal, and which portal loss for Penn State might be as important as the additions of Cephas and McClain.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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