The reality is that most true freshmen, whether it’s at Penn State or any other school, aren’t going to do much on game days in their first season.
But there are exceptions, and Penn State coach Matt Campbell told reporters who those could be in a media availability Thursday.
3 KINGS
Campbell mentioned three true freshmen as guys who could make an impact in Year 1: WR Amarion Jackson, CB Josiah Zayas and DE Jackson Ford.
Jackson came to Penn State as a defensive back but switched to receiver during spring camp.
Campbell spoke glowingly about him at Penn State’s local media day earlier this month.
“Amarion Jackson is not a freshman,” Campbell said. “He is (technically), but he looks like a guy that’s going into his junior year. He looks like a guy that’s got such maturity for a young guy.”
Another “Jackson” that has generated buzz is Ford.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.He’s one of the rare players who will go down as a hero at Penn State regardless of how well he plays on the field, and that’s because of his decision to never de-commit, which every other pledge did amid the firing of James Franklin last October.
It didn’t take long for Ford to make an impression on his new coach.
“I think what you said, his physical tools and physical ability, it’s been really impressive, and again, I think the maturity. He comes from a really great high school football program (Malvern Prep), has a great high school football coach, (Dave Gueriera). I got to get there in the short time that I was able to go out on the road. So I left there super impressed with what his high school program was about, and I think he brought that maturity here.”
Campbell also mentioned Josiah Zayas, who at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, is bigger than most at his position.
Zayas could also find himself in a key role on special teams, with his speed being a big asset.
5-In-5
In the past, Campbell would have to be careful not to burn players’ redshirts. Thanks to the new “5-in-5 legislation, he won’t have to worry about that anymore.
