I great Poster in Willie Lump had me look up a few things for his knowledge and I came across some prior links that show why it is better to come to Pitt to play faster then to sit the bench at Penn State? The Smarter recruits in Michigan and Ohio figured that out as well by choosing Michigan State where they developed and played faster than Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State!
Article Except Link:
NFL playoff star Larry Fitzgerald wanted to be a Nittany Lion!
...There is no word as to whether Penn State had a change of recruiting heart. Nevertheless, it is difficult to argue that Fitzgerald would have been better off in Blue and White than in Blue and Gold. In 2002, Penn State's lefty QB Zach Mills wouldn't have provided the same deep ball arm as Panther southpaw Tyler Palko.
In addition, Pitt coach Walt Harris made the precocious freshman star the center of his offense. That wouldn't have happened at Penn State.
That year the Lions floundering program was rekindled by another Larry, Larry Johnson, and his record 2,159 yards rushing. Despite his extraordinary talent, Johnson had to wait behind less talented upperclassmen and did not start until he was a senior.
At Pitt, Fitzgerald's talent made him No. 1 from day one.
It's easy to say that a freshmen Fitzgerald wasn't going to turn Penn State into a pass-happy offense. Heck, he might not have even seen the field.....
Consider this. In 2003 Fitzgerald had 22 touchdown receptions. The Lions had 11. Larry had 92 receptions for 1,672 yards. Penn State's top four receivers -- Tony Johnson, Maurice Humphrey, Matt Kranchick and Sean McHugh -- had 111 catches totaling 1,377 yards. The Lions' top rusher was freshman Austin Scott.
LINK:
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/pennstate-football/index.ssf/2009/01/nfl_playoff_star_larry_fitzger.html
Article Except Link:
NFL playoff star Larry Fitzgerald wanted to be a Nittany Lion!
...There is no word as to whether Penn State had a change of recruiting heart. Nevertheless, it is difficult to argue that Fitzgerald would have been better off in Blue and White than in Blue and Gold. In 2002, Penn State's lefty QB Zach Mills wouldn't have provided the same deep ball arm as Panther southpaw Tyler Palko.
In addition, Pitt coach Walt Harris made the precocious freshman star the center of his offense. That wouldn't have happened at Penn State.
That year the Lions floundering program was rekindled by another Larry, Larry Johnson, and his record 2,159 yards rushing. Despite his extraordinary talent, Johnson had to wait behind less talented upperclassmen and did not start until he was a senior.
At Pitt, Fitzgerald's talent made him No. 1 from day one.
It's easy to say that a freshmen Fitzgerald wasn't going to turn Penn State into a pass-happy offense. Heck, he might not have even seen the field.....
Consider this. In 2003 Fitzgerald had 22 touchdown receptions. The Lions had 11. Larry had 92 receptions for 1,672 yards. Penn State's top four receivers -- Tony Johnson, Maurice Humphrey, Matt Kranchick and Sean McHugh -- had 111 catches totaling 1,377 yards. The Lions' top rusher was freshman Austin Scott.
LINK:
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/pennstate-football/index.ssf/2009/01/nfl_playoff_star_larry_fitzger.html
