Penn State coach James Franklin explained why one of the team’s best offensive linemen had been absent for most of spring ball.
Media who had access to peak at five of Penn State’s spring practices noticed that right tackle Nolan Rucci wasn’t there for four of them.
This past Wednesday, three days before the spring climaxes with the annual Blue-White Game, reporters did see Rucci at practice.
Not that anybody was overly concerned, mind you. After all, the season opener is four months away, so the only way this injury would be one that could limit Rucci until then is if it were catastrophic, and there was no evidence of that being the case.
Nonetheless, Rucci getting work in again is good news for Penn State, and here’s what Franklin had to say about it.
WHAT JAMES SAID
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now
Here’s what Franklin said about Rucci’s status.
“He doesn’t really have anything significant,” he said. “He’s just had something that’s been nagging for a while. Obviously, we would have loved to have him for spring ball but that hasn’t happened. It’s going to be really important that he has a real strong summer. But he was able to get some individual work today. So, you know, you hate to see those guys miss the reps but it is a blessing in disguise for the other guys that got a ton of reps in practice.”
So, in short, it’s nothing too serious.
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As Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin likes to say, “one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity.”
In Penn State’s case, third-year OL J’Ven Williams and true freshman Owen Alicence have had increased reps because of Rucci’s absence, Franklin said.
Williams, in particular, is of interest to Penn Stare fans. He’s a former five-star recruit and a local product from Wyomissing.
Penn State’s annual spring game is scheduled for 2 Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium. It will not be televised.
“We would love to have him.”
J’ven, Alicine.
