STATE COLLEGE, P.A.โย The Blue teamย beat the White team 10-0ย Saturday in the annual Penn State Blue-White spring scrimmage. There were some good and bad during the game. Penn State showcased its depth across the ball on both sides. The game showed that the punting units needed a bit of work.ย Drew Allarย showed that five-star arm talent he showed in high school and at times last year.ย Omari Evansย andย Kaden Saundersย showed their growth at receiver, and the “TNT” combination showed that the future is bright at LBU. Here are my four takeaways from the Blue-White game.
TNT WAS DYNAMITE
Tony Rojasย andย Ta’Mere Robinsonย were two of the most prized signees in Penn State’s last recruiting cycle, and after Saturday, it was easy to see why. Rojas showed his speed by flying to the ball carrier, using his instincts as a running back, which he played in high school. Rojas had nine total tackles Saturday. Robinson showed that he’s fully healed after his knee injury. He was flying all over the ball and made an explosive tackle on fellow Western Pennsylvania product Tank Smith behind the line. Imagine the combination of Rojas, Robinson, andย Abdul Carterย for at least the next two years under coordinatorย Manny Diaz. Penn State will have the best linebacking corps in the country soon, maybe even this year.
EVANS AND SAUNDERS ARE READY TO BREAK OUT
Evans recorded five catches for 80 yards and the game’sย only touchdown. At times it seemed that no corner could stop him. North Carolina transfer and former All-ACC performerย Storm Duckย drew a pass interference penalty when he was about to get burned for another touchdown. Saunders performed well also, but he had a drop and mistimed a route on an Allar throw. As Evans said after the game, both sophomore receivers have pushed each other since arriving on campus. Penn State needs both players to take that next step and rise above the rest of a talented but unproven position group.
Seen this before, pretty much from the exact same spot on the field.@AllarDrew โก๏ธ @_realmar13 = @PennStateFball TD ๐ pic.twitter.com/EcUK3rktCy
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) April 15, 2023
ALLAR DISPLAYED TALENT
Allar showed everyone why he was a five-star prospect with his 28-yard touchdown to Evans. He put it on the dime, with Evans running and catching in stride. Allar threw more strikes to Saunders,ย Antony Ivey, andย Tyler Johnson. But what impressed me the most was his poise in the pocket and pocket awareness, which is leaps and bounds above what I watched in last season’s Blue-White game. The combination of the receivers stepping up and Allar’s growth will take the Penn State offense to another level.
CHOP ROBINSON,ย DANI DENNIS-SUTTONย MAY BE BIG TEN’S BEST PASS-RUSH DUO
Both players spent more time in the backfields than the opposing running backs Saturday. Dennis-Sutton had two sacks. Robinson had a tackle for loss on Amiel Davis. The best part apart is both players bulked up this offseason. Robinson is up from 240 pounds to 253, and Dennis-Shelton went from 250 to 263. This was important this offseason because, in 2023, Penn State plays Michigan, Iowa and Illinois, all physical teams that love running the ball. They have the pass rush, but the key is holding up against the run.
ALL IN ALL
Penn State showed its depth across both sides of the ball on both teams with young players and veterans. Penn State showed it could possess a great defense with depth and high-end talent on all three levels. To me, the defense will be driving the bus while the offense grows with Allar.
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon
