PSU Nittany Lions

QB Jack Seymour (Indianapolis, Ind./Park Tudor) is one of the more interesting stories of this class of run-ons. He turned down several scholarship offers to walk-on to PSU, and he'll be one of just five QBs on the PSU roster this season.

NittanyNation recently caught up with the quarterback to talk about his career goals, what he's currently up to and more. He'll join the team June 22.

NittanyNation: So, tell me, what have you been doing lately to get ready for Penn State? Are you trying to relax a bit now, or are you in full-workout mode?

Jack Seymour: Well, I've been trying to get up at 6:30 to get ready for workouts. I've been lifting every day, and I'm doing boxing to cross-train -- so I've been doing 2-3 workouts a day, and I'm doing the playbook about 30 minutes each day. I've got a big whiteboard up on my room, so I've been drawing up routes and stuff. I've been working hard.

NN: I don't hear about boxing quarterbacks too often. What's the goal behind that?

JS: I've heard from some coaches that it helps with the throwing hand -- and it also helps with my heart rate too, because there's a lot of running. It's a hard workout. It's like cardio and explosiveness with my throwing hand.

I've definitely noticed a difference -- especially on the 20-yard, 18-yard and comeback routes. It's helped with arm strength, with the quick release and stuff like that.

NN: Your role is a bit more important this year since there are only two scholarship QBs. What were your thoughts when Steven Bench left?

JS: Well, first off, Bench and I were -- after I met him, I just saw what a cool guy he was. So, it sucks he left, but it did get me excited and put me in a great spot because I'll have a better opportunity for reps and to get on the field.

I mean, it's just another thing that helps me moving forward, that I'm going to have a better opportunity. I was excited in hearing that, not in the sense he left but in the sense there's more space for me because I know it would've been harder to get reps with three quarterbacks.

NN: What are your goals for this first season and for your career at PSU?

JS: I'm not thinking of setting myself for a certain position or a certain spot. I'm not going to say my goal is to get second string, and I don't want to be cocky and say I want to become a starter. But that's ultimately it. If a QB doesn't have that as a goal, I guess something's kind of wrong with you.

I just want to get as high up as I can and do my best for the team. And obviously, just as Matt McGloin did incredible things in his fifth year, I guess my goals would be similar to him. Just working my way up competing. ... So I think my expectation is to really never let an opportunity slip by, like if someone might be injured and I go in. I'm going to be prepared no matter what.

NN: You played for a small team at a school that was more accustomed to tennis championships. But, you still managed to get noticed by several FBS programs. How did you manage to catch coaches' eyes?

JS: Hard work, just on and off the field. My freshman year, I had the opportunity to transfer to a bigger school where I'd be on a bigger team and all that. And, ultimately, I decided not to because I thought that no matter where I was at, I'd make myself stand out.

I committed to the guys at Park, and I didn't want to leave them. My goal my freshman year was to be the first quarterback from there to go D-I. I think we've had 2-3 guys go D-I at other positions, and I just had a lot of help from my coaches who'd reach out to guys for me. It just worked out. I ended up getting really good film in three years, so I think I'm just making the best of what I had. I got the opportunity to scramble a lot, took advantage and made plays.

NN: For those still wondering, why did you decide to turn down several offers to walk-on to Penn State?

JS: Well, the MAC schools I had offers from, those are great schools. But, in my mind, I wanted a better education and, second off, I kind of wanted to give myself a shot at a bigger program to see how I would do. I was looking at the perfect fit with football, academics and coaches. And at Penn State, well, you can't really get anymore perfect than Penn State when it comes to that. So when that opportunity came up, I was ecstatic.

NN: How do you want to be remembered at PSU?

JS: Oh man, I 'm trying to think of something off the top of my head. I guess I want to be known as someone who can be counted on the field and off the field. I'm not going to be someone who gets in trouble. I'm going to be an honest, hard-working player who's going to give everything I have to the university and friends and family and coaches there.

With the Super Bowl just a few hours away, NittanyNation decided to poll some of Penn State's committed run-ons to get their take on the game. We asked for them to give the winner, the score -- and their reasoning.

Overwhelmingly, it appears as if Penn State's preferred walk-ons believe the San Francisco 49ers will win the Super Bowl. And the consensus is by a field goal:

• WR Gregg Garrity Jr., Wexford (Pa.) North Allegheny: 49ers, 27-17. No answer for Kaepernick and not enough weapons for Baltimore. San Fran will shut down Ray Rice, forcing them to pass. Flacco will have a long day.

• QB Jack Seymour, Indianapolis (Ind.) Park Tudor: Ravens, 31-24. I think Flacco is a much better overall quarterback with a really efficient offense that played really well in the past playoff games. He's really stepped up and shown himself to be an elite quarterback. I also picked them because Ray Lewis will carry their defense and is their source of motivation. And he will stop at nothing to win. Ravens all the way! This will be San Francisco's first-ever loss in a Super Bowl!

• WR Chris Geiss, Malvern (Pa.) Great Valley: 49ers, 27-24. I don't think the Ravens' D can stop the option.

• OG Evan Galimberti, State College (Pa.): 49ers, 27-13. I just think the defense of the 'Niners is too good and Kaepernick could outrun the Ravens.

• LS Sean Corcoran, Kankakee (Ill.) Bishop McNamara: 49ers, 27-24. I think their pistol offense is extremely dangerous, and I think their defense will be able to stop Ray Rice to make the Ravens too reliant on the pass game. But I'm still rooting for Corey Graham and Brendon Ayanbadejo on the Ravens because they're former Bears!

• LB Kyle Searfoss, Lewisberry (Pa.) Red Land: 49ers, 24-17. Their defense is too good, and Colin Kaepernick is too good.

• S Tom Pancoast, Kennett Square (Pa.) Unionville: 49ers, 24-21. Colin Kaepernick has a big game and wins Super Bowl MVP.

• K Chris Gulla, Toms River (N.J.) Toms River North: Ravens, 24-21. I'm thinking a little game-winner from Justin Tucker.

• RB Brian Tomasetti, Scranton (Pa.) Old Forge: Ravens, 24-20. Their defense is too good. Kaepernick is going to get shut down, and I believe Joe Flacco will have the game of his life. Position-by-position, I feel the Ravens are better -- especially at running back with Ray Rice. Also, Ray Lewis will not lose his last game.

• RB Cole Chiappialle, Beaver Falls (Pa.) Blackhawk: 49ers, 27-24. As a diehard Steelers fan, I will be rooting for the 49ers. No way I will cheer for the Ravens!

• SB Von Walker, Mill Hall (Pa.) Central Mountain: 49ers, 24-17. Ravens can't stop Gore running or the Kaepernick passing attack.

• OT Austin Fiedler, Turbotville (Pa.) Warrior Run: No idea. I think the score for each team will be in the high 20s, and it will be very close -- within six points. OK, I don't really know who will win. Both teams have a lot going for them. The Ravens have the bigger fan base, and that will give somewhat of a homefield advantage. But, on the other hand, I think the 49ers are overall a more solid team. I can't wait to watch the game actually, even though I'm not a big NFL fan.