PSU Nittany Lions: Brandon Bell
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State's 2013 recruiting class will report to campus in less than a month, and several players could play a huge role on the team this season.
This is Bill O'Brien's first real class, and fans should catch an early glimpse of what it's capable of this season. Here are three incoming prospects -- not early enrollees -- who could contribute immediately:
This is Bill O'Brien's first real class, and fans should catch an early glimpse of what it's capable of this season. Here are three incoming prospects -- not early enrollees -- who could contribute immediately:
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Welcome to NittanyNation's mailbag! We asked you to tweet or email your questions, and we've selected three to answer in depth this week.
Corey Hunter (@realhuntdog23) writes: What REALISTIC expectations should fans have at the Blue-White Game? Isn't Bill O'Brien likely to keep things (plays/personnel) close to the vest?
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Linebacker Brandon Bell (Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest) committed to Penn State in June and became the Nittany Lions' first linebacker pledge of the 2013 class.
NittanyNation recently spoke with Bell at length about his expectations, how he has improved and his take on redshirting.
NittanyNation: Brandon, your time in high school is creeping to a close here. Has it sunk in yet that you'll be playing for Penn State in a couple months? Have you done anything to prepare yourself like set goals or anything?
NittanyNation recently spoke with Bell at length about his expectations, how he has improved and his take on redshirting.
NittanyNation: Brandon, your time in high school is creeping to a close here. Has it sunk in yet that you'll be playing for Penn State in a couple months? Have you done anything to prepare yourself like set goals or anything?
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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- While Bill O'Brien's voice carried over the field Monday afternoon, quarterbacks coach Charlie Fisher directed his players in a calmer manner.
During position drills at Penn State's first spring practice, Fisher stood about five yards in front of his four quarterbacks as they took turns taking three- and five-step drops. The quartet of red jerseys would look at Fisher, quickly scan the field and then throw to a stationary receiver.
"Eyes here," Fisher told sophomore Steven Bench in a conversational tone, pointing to his his right. "Work through it, work through it."
Bench or Tyler Ferguson could wind up as the starting quarterback come Aug. 31, and Monday offered a glimpse of the two signal-callers. Media were invited to attend 20 minutes of open practice, and O'Brien began by calling together a competition: A defensive back would line up against a wideout or tight end in press coverage, while Bench and Ferguson would alternate snaps.
The first team -- offense or defense -- to win three battles would be declared the winner. The losers would be forced to perform five hit-its. It was more for honor than anything and only four passes were thrown while the quarterbacks tried to shake off the rust.
Bench began by just overthrowing Allen Robinson on a roughly 35-yard pass, and Ferguson then hit Jesse James in stride downfield on an over-the-shoulder grab. Bench followed that up by throwing behind his target on cross route, and Ferguson barely overthrew Matt Lehman for two straight incompletions.
The offense, along with Ferguson and Bench, then hit the turf for their hit-its while the defense cheered.
"They're both athletic, they both can throw the football," O'Brien said during a Monday news conference. "Now it's going to depend on how well they make decisions and how accurately they throw the ball.
"They sit in the front row, they pay attention, they take a lot of notes. It's a fun group to be around."
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Tom Hauck for ESPNTyler Ferguson showed off his big arm at practice Monday.
Tom Hauck for ESPNTyler Ferguson showed off his big arm at practice Monday."Eyes here," Fisher told sophomore Steven Bench in a conversational tone, pointing to his his right. "Work through it, work through it."
Bench or Tyler Ferguson could wind up as the starting quarterback come Aug. 31, and Monday offered a glimpse of the two signal-callers. Media were invited to attend 20 minutes of open practice, and O'Brien began by calling together a competition: A defensive back would line up against a wideout or tight end in press coverage, while Bench and Ferguson would alternate snaps.
The first team -- offense or defense -- to win three battles would be declared the winner. The losers would be forced to perform five hit-its. It was more for honor than anything and only four passes were thrown while the quarterbacks tried to shake off the rust.
Bench began by just overthrowing Allen Robinson on a roughly 35-yard pass, and Ferguson then hit Jesse James in stride downfield on an over-the-shoulder grab. Bench followed that up by throwing behind his target on cross route, and Ferguson barely overthrew Matt Lehman for two straight incompletions.
The offense, along with Ferguson and Bench, then hit the turf for their hit-its while the defense cheered.
"They're both athletic, they both can throw the football," O'Brien said during a Monday news conference. "Now it's going to depend on how well they make decisions and how accurately they throw the ball.
"They sit in the front row, they pay attention, they take a lot of notes. It's a fun group to be around."
NittanyNation takes a look at this week’s Penn State football news and what you might have missed:
- Coaches who squared off against Brandon Bell sounded off on the Penn State commit and appeared most impressed by his speed and range.
- Andrew Nelson wrote a column for NittanyNation on why he chose Penn State. He listed academics, coaching staff and relationships as his three main reasons.
- Penn State hired former Georgia State defensive coordinator Anthony Midget as the safeties coach.
- Video: NCAA president Mark Emmert discussed the penalties imposed against Penn State on "Outside the Lines."
- Tight end-turned-offensive tackle Garry Gilliam received an extra year of eligibility.
- Parker Cothren's coach talked about his player and said Cothren stood his ground against ESPN's top-rated OT -- despite weighing in more than 40 pounds lighter than him.
- Listen: Jay Paterno joined "Mike and Mike" to discuss the family's report on the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
- We took an overview at all the run-ons on defense/special teams along with the run-ons on offense.
- Penn State's first commit of the 2014 class, Mark Allen, said he felt called to be a leader and wants to help the staff reel in other commits in the class.
- We started up our "Meet the run-on" series by offering a glance at the following walk-ons: Sean Corcoran, Brandon Smith, Cole Chiappialle and Tom Pancoast.
- OT Juwann Bushell-Beatty will visit PSU soon, and Anthony Davis will also likely make another visit. The staff has also been in the ear of athlete Patrick Amara.
- Mailbag: From breakout players to quarterbacks, NittanyNation answered several questions in-depth as part of the bi-weekly mailbag.
- We listed five Penn State commits who are rated three-stars that fans should keep an eye on.
- Linebacker Carter Henderson talked in a Q&A about why he turned down offers from several FCS and Div. II schools to walk-on at PSU.
- ESPN Watch List prospect D'Andre Payne named his top schools ... and Penn State has some catching up to do.
- Video: Brian Bennett talks about the B1G's decision to stop scheduling games against FCS opponents.
- Harrisburg (Pa.) RB Rob Martin received his first few offers earlier in the week and said he plans to attend Penn State's junior day.
Brandon Bell (Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest) is the highest-rated linebacker of Penn State's 2013 class, and big things are expected out of the 6-foot defender.
So, NittanyNation decided to get a better idea of Bell's playing style and ability by polling five of the 10 coaches he faced this season. They shared their impressions, recollected memorable plays and talked about what fans have to look forward to from the three-star commit.
Click here to read the story
So, NittanyNation decided to get a better idea of Bell's playing style and ability by polling five of the 10 coaches he faced this season. They shared their impressions, recollected memorable plays and talked about what fans have to look forward to from the three-star commit.
Click here to read the story
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Some of the Nittany Lions' top players right now were three-star recruits who flew just under the radar: Deion Barnes, Adrian Amos, Mike Hull, Kyle Carter. And the list goes on.
The Class of 2013 looks to continue that trend. NittanyNation decided to take a closer look at some three-star players in this class whom fans should keep an eye on.
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Now that Penn State's Class of 2013 is officially in the books, we decided to ask the commits about their future with the Nittany Lions.
NittanyNation posed the same question to everyone: How do you think -- or hope -- your class will be remembered in four or five years?
Here's what they had to say:
NittanyNation posed the same question to everyone: How do you think -- or hope -- your class will be remembered in four or five years?
Here's what they had to say:
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Penn State has signed larger and more decorated recruiting classes than the 2013 version, and brought in more big names. But the program has never faced NCAA sanctions, including scholarship reductions and postseason probation. Under the circumstances, the 17-member recruiting class PSU signed Wednesday might be one of the most impressive in team history. Penn State brought in star power like quarterback Christian Hackenberg and tight end Adam Breneman, retained most of its top recruits and addressed several needs. Head coach Bill O'Brien and his assistants have received a lot of praise for their first recruiting class of the sanction era, and deservedly so.
ESPN.com caught up with O'Brien on Wednesday to discuss the class.
ESPN.com caught up with O'Brien on Wednesday to discuss the class.
Signing day has gone smoothly in Happy Valley.
Here's a recap of how the letters of intent came in and how the class came together in Penn State's Class of 2013.
Follow the live blog after the jump.
Penn State's Class of 2013 ranks among the top 25 in the nation, and it's been one of the more surprising stories of the recruiting season. These prospects could've gone elsewhere -- some could've attended anywhere -- but they stuck with the Nittany Lions.
They'll officially become part of Penn State today. So, we asked them, why did you want to commit Penn State? Here's what they had to say this week:
They'll officially become part of Penn State today. So, we asked them, why did you want to commit Penn State? Here's what they had to say this week:
- QB Christian Hackenberg, Fork Union, Va./Fork Union, four stars, No. 15 in ESPN 150: "You know, I just got this gut feeling that it was home for me. Everything fell in line for me moreso than the other schools. I liked a lot of other schools, but I loved Penn State."
- OT Andrew Nelson, Hershey, Pa./Hershey, four stars:"Well, first off, I've been a Penn State fan my entire life. My dad went to Penn State, his whole family went to Penn State, my sister went to Penn State -- so I've been watching Penn State my whole life. So, since like fifth grade, I wanted to play for Penn State. It also came down to, most importantly, the education. That should be first on everyone's list, and it was on mine. Penn State offered a great education, and it offered the major I'm looking for.
- "And, secondly, it would have to be the coaching staff and how they can develop me -- not just as a player but as a man of character. I think this coaching staff will do the best job of that. And, then, location comes into it. I have to admit I'm a momma's boy, and I love being around my family. And I want them to come and watch me play. So, in a nutshell, that's why."
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Every weekday until signing day, NittanyNation will break down a commitment from Penn State’s 2013 recruiting class.
Vitals: Linebacker Brandon Bell, Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest, 6-foot, 222 pounds
Committed: June 13, 2012
Vitals: Linebacker Brandon Bell, Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest, 6-foot, 222 pounds
Committed: June 13, 2012
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With two weeks left until signing day, NittanyNation takes a closer look at what fans should know about the state of the class and this Penn State team.
Team needs: Defensive coordinator John Butler made it clear he wasn't happy with the secondary's depth last season. At cornerback, untested true freshman Da'Quan Davis was the backup, and the safeties opened the year as the team's weakness.
That's not the only concern. With Matt McGloin's departure, Steven Bench is now the most experienced quarterback on the team. And he threw just eight passes last season. Linebacker is also a position that could use a few extra bodies, especially with Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges making a run at the NFL.
Team needs: Defensive coordinator John Butler made it clear he wasn't happy with the secondary's depth last season. At cornerback, untested true freshman Da'Quan Davis was the backup, and the safeties opened the year as the team's weakness.
That's not the only concern. With Matt McGloin's departure, Steven Bench is now the most experienced quarterback on the team. And he threw just eight passes last season. Linebacker is also a position that could use a few extra bodies, especially with Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges making a run at the NFL.
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Roof's departure affects Southern pipeline 
January, 10, 2013
Jan 10
1:00
PM ET
By
Josh Moyer | ESPN.com
Ted Roof's surprise resignation Wednesday won't send this defense reeling, in part, because John Butler is a fiery, competent coach. But his departure will definitely be felt in one key department -- recruiting.
Roof was Penn State's pipeline to the South, a man whose reputation commanded the attention of recruits, especially those in Georgia and Alabama. With his absence, so goes an important part of that pipeline.
Historically, the coaching staff hasn't ventured farther south than Virginia, so Penn State wasn't a favorite among recruits unaccustomed to building snowmen. Most didn't see the university as an option -- until Roof showed up.
Roof was Penn State's pipeline to the South, a man whose reputation commanded the attention of recruits, especially those in Georgia and Alabama. With his absence, so goes an important part of that pipeline.
Historically, the coaching staff hasn't ventured farther south than Virginia, so Penn State wasn't a favorite among recruits unaccustomed to building snowmen. Most didn't see the university as an option -- until Roof showed up.
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Recruits weren't hearing any rumors about the possible departure of defensive coordinator Ted Roof, and when it was learned he was leaving for Georgia Tech, it made at least one Penn State pledge think twice about his commitment.
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ABOUT NITTANY NATION
Josh Moyer
Josh Moyer joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering Penn State football for recruiting website Nittany Network and City Hall for The Citizens' Voice in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Moyer graduated from Penn State and earned his graduate degree at Columbia. Email him at espnjoshmoyer@gmail.com.