not sure the reason but obviously he was the only qb at that disgusting university with qb experience.
I’m sure they wanted him to transfer and he was trash though.
I’m sure they wanted him to transfer and he was trash though.
OT Start spin machine : tommy Stevens transfers
- Thread starter President Stache
- Start date
Well, I guess it's so.
https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatef...-entered-the-transfer-portal-reports-say.html
It would have been interesting to read the comments following the article, but I wasn't able to open that link.
https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatef...-entered-the-transfer-portal-reports-say.html
It would have been interesting to read the comments following the article, but I wasn't able to open that link.
The other kid (Clifford, I think) got reps last season, as Stevens was injured for most of it, so he's not the only QB with experience. He's still a veteran though, so I'm sure PSU wants to keep him.
Also to note, entering the transfer portal doesn't mean that someone is transferring. It just means that they're exploring options. Let's see how this one plays out.
Stevens sees the handwriting on the wall. Clifford will be the starter.
eh, they were not that good, just some stupid Nitters, but that's to be expected and sort of redundant. Other than that they were quite tame.
Clifford is the better of the two from what I have been hearing over the last year.
Is Cat a relative and is he being followed by a moon shadow ?
Huge loss for them. He looked good in the limited reps he got against us in mop up duty last year.
PSU staff thought Clifford was the better player.
Clifford can really pass imo. How nimble he is, I don't know? Stevens could run well.
Clifford can really pass imo. How nimble he is, I don't know? Stevens could run well.
Tommy Stevens did not play in last year's game. No reps. You're thinking of Sean Clifford.
Clifford is the QB who came in for one play and looked like Tim Brady against us. He will probably look like Brady again.
He is transferring because Franklin didn't name him starter - but rather stated it would be an open competition. I am not saying he is afraid of competition - but he/his family stated he would be starting somewhere - whether at PSU or somewhere else.
I don't blame the kid. He wants to maximize his stock to get a chance at the NFL. He has 1 year left. If he stayed and Clifford beat him out then his chance at the NFL is essentially non existent.
I am not going to say that Clifford is better - because I honestly don't know - but from what I have seen in games (albeit a small sample size for each) is Clifford looks to be a better passer and Stevens looks to be a better runner.
This will hurt us - if for no other reason depth. Both have played QB about the same amount of time - and both looked really good at times and both looked like the needed work at times.
Clifford was higher rated coming into PSU - but we all know that doesn't always play out. The backups have talent but NO game experience (and 2 are true freshman)
I don't blame the kid. He wants to maximize his stock to get a chance at the NFL. He has 1 year left. If he stayed and Clifford beat him out then his chance at the NFL is essentially non existent.
I am not going to say that Clifford is better - because I honestly don't know - but from what I have seen in games (albeit a small sample size for each) is Clifford looks to be a better passer and Stevens looks to be a better runner.
This will hurt us - if for no other reason depth. Both have played QB about the same amount of time - and both looked really good at times and both looked like the needed work at times.
Clifford was higher rated coming into PSU - but we all know that doesn't always play out. The backups have talent but NO game experience (and 2 are true freshman)
Yes....but here is the problem I have. It was obvious to a lot of people that before last year, Stevens should have transferred as he had no future there. But just Urban legend, somehow Franklin sweet talked Stevens into staying as an insurance policy if McSpoiley got hurt, and put in some "cute" packages to entice Stevens to stay. All at the same time probably looking towards Clifford to be the eventual starter, because he was either better, or also he didn't want a one year starter.
College coaches are selfish scumbags, but these players (and their families), I always say, especially places like Penn State, need to take off the cheerleader pom poms and do what is best for them.
Perhaps - although McSorly was banged up a bit - and if Stevens was healthy - he may have played a decent amount.
It has to be a hard decision for these players. On 1 hand - playing time and a potential NFL future but moving across the country and playing with many 'strangers' - on the other remaining at a school/place you have been for 3-4 years and in theory enjoy plus playing with some of your best friends.
He played the odds that he may get a chance in 2018 or at worst have a huge edge going into 2019. Had he not been injured for most of the past 9 months he may have well played more to prove his strong hold or had the reps to have the role locked down.
Not saying he made the right choice in staying - but if he does have NFL talent - 1 year is all he needs to prove it regardless of where he plays. The NFL will find talent at any school (ala Carson Wentz). If he shows the skills next year - then it doesn't matter and if he enjoyed 2018 at PSU then it was worth it. The only real detriment to him staying are - options might be more limited (though the reverse could be true) - and he had 1 less year of starting - which shouldn't hurt his draft stock (if he has any) - since Starting and playing is obviously more fun than practicing and riding the bench
Maybe Stevens can play defense somewhere. At least that's an option that he could explore. I doubt he makes it as a QB at a P5 school.
At any point, do you worry about what Franklin is telling kids? I get that he's there to make PSU win and if Stevens isn't the guy to do that, it's his job to figure it out. I just wonder with the number of kids that looked into the portal this year if you don't start to worry that Franklin is getting a reputation for overselling things.
"X gets the square... I'll take Shadow Stevens for the block, John."
You do not have the slightest idea of what you are talking about!
Who knows what Franklin said to Stevens.
Who knows what Franklin meant.
Stevens' problem is that he has not been healthy.
How do you promise a starting job to someone with an injury history?
Stevens' father overplayed his hand.
I am all for Stevens transferring and having an unbelievable year and getting drafted in the 1st round in 2020.
However, I will believe it when I see it.
I'm not sure it's overselling. I think it's more like passively "processing" them out. You can't deny that every PSU player in that portal has under performed. Franklin has also brought in increasingly better recruiting classes. He knows he has to win now, based on the expectations he's built. If he has to shed some dead weight to do it, so be it. I personally don't like it, but that's the college football world now if you want to win. To believe it is only a PSU/Franklin problem is wrong.
As others have mentioned, Stevens was hurt most of last season and did not play well when he was in the game. He was not going to be the guy that pushed them to the top of the division.The early departures to the NFL on the OL will hurt the most. This will be a rebuilding year, with or without Stevens.
Franklin is going to regret not shedding the midget safety when he had the chance to and allowing him to remove his name from the transfer portal.
I don't - I am sure it is something like the best players will play. QBs leave programs all the time if they don't start. Most teams don't play 2 QBs. Other positions can have a rotation - but QB it is one guy. I'd expect that Franklin probably told Stevens it would be a competition but Stevens was clearly ahead. And he probably was last year. 3 years in the program vs 1. Unfortunately Stevens got hurt and Clifford was probably able to close the gap or pass Stevens skills wise. Recruiting wise - Clifford was a blue chip and Stevens was a 3*. Yes I get that recruiting isn't everything - but my point is physically Clifford has the skills to play at this level.
I don't think it is overselling or true processing. Most of the kids we have recruited were the best players on their team and maybe there area. They felt they could play almost anywhere. Our recruiting has been getting better since Franklin got there - and in the 14-16 classes he had some very good players but not wholesale elite classes.
Our 2016 class had an average rating .8808
Our 2017 class had an average rating .8832
Our 2018 class had an average rating .9170
Our 2019 class had an average rating .9101
It might not seem like much - but the players (on a whole) brought in the past 2 classes have seen the talent level increase drastically.
Kids from the earlier classes who are good players - see that freshman are better talented and realize that playing time might not happen.
Yes PSU had a large number enter the portal this year - but many of the players fit that category that i described. They came in and saw a path to playing time after 1-2 years - but PSU was able to increase the recruiting level and recruit better players and thus we are seeing upper classman realize that playing time might not happen so they look to go where they can play.
You see this all the time at other schools with coaching changes. It just occurred a few years down after Franklin started due to the circumstances with the sanctions (ie. when he took over - the players on the roster we all but guaranteed playing time due to limited numbers) and the classes were good but not full of elite players. After the BIG title in 16 - the 2018 class took off and accelerated the talent on the roster and we are seeing the results
Hey, if Clifford was better and has higher upside, definitely make this move. I was asking specifically about the number of kids that looked at the portal and that Stevens considered leaving last year when I asked about "overselling".
As long as he looks like Tim Brady, and not Tom, we’ll be ok.
I explained the number of kids in the portal this year. The talent level in the 2018/2019 class is much better than the 2016/2017 classes. There are some great players from the class but the bulk were 'low 4* or 3* players' and the 18 were more higher end 4* players. They came in and played better than the older kids and thus got more time. The kids from the 17/16 class probably question if they will get playing time since they were told as were others that the best will play but all positions are open.
If after next year - this trend continues (drastically more PSU players than other schools) then I will be concerned.
As for Stevens looking last year. I think he had the same thoughts last year as he does now. Should I transfer for a more guaranteed route to PT. He is in a similar boat to many of the others - the younger kids at his position may be better. He sees this and knows it will be a tough competition. Last year - I think he stayed because he didn't have a degree and would have had to sit out 2018 (I saw he got his degree in December). Either way - he would have 1 year to play - unless Trace got hurt - which he did - but Stevens wasn't healthy either so he couldn't take advantage.
Actually makes a lot of sense. The kid got huge and breaks tackles like a tight end. Definitely could see that transition. Before he got hurt I saw a play where he broke several tackles then trucked the safety before scoring. Very tough kid.
