Justin K. Aller - Getty Images
The future home of the Class of 2012. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
"Today was crazy."
Truer words, never spoken. Jake Kiley was just one of more than 1000 recruits that would sign a national letter of intent with the school of their choice Wednesday. But for Penn State fans, his emotional roller coaster over the past three months is something commit and fan already have in common.
"After everything that's happened over the past couple months, it's nice to just put it all behind us and just start new," said Kiley, eagerly looking forward to actually playing some football for Penn State, rather than just talk about it.
And Penn State fans everywhere are eager for the same. Let's play some football.
A July commit to Penn State, Kiley looked forward to playing college football with two close friends, Cam Williams and Armani Reeves. Each of them would commit to Penn State within the subsequent three months, but the incidents of early November changed all of that.
"In the end, they had to do what's best for them and their families, and they thought that Ohio State was the best fit for them."
Kiley is happy for his friends, but when asked if it would be a different story once they meet on the field, the New Hampshire product stated simply "Oh yea!" Kiley is heading to State College on June 23 to being summer session, and said he is most looking forward to working out with the guys, a sense of camaraderie, of we-can-do-this-togetherness, that seems to permeate this class.
On the other side of the ball, Georgia quarterback Steven Bench is equally excited.
"Just pure excitement. Yesterday was one of the best days of my life. It's almost hard to believe that I'm going to play football for Penn State."
The one-time Rice commit is anxious to come in and compete right away. Given the quarterbacks ahead of him and the fact that none of them are the clear cut starter heading into 2012, Bench should have that opportunity.
"That's what playing football is all about - competing. I'm just going to work as hard as I can and become the best I can be."
Like Kiley, Bench will head to Happy Valley at the end of June for summer session. And also like Kiley, Bench will likely be rooming with a fellow incoming Class of 2012 commit. As of now, who that will be is unknown. But Bench knows who he'd like to room with, a preference that should put him ahead of the game once the time comes for the competition to begin.
"I'm going to ask to with one of the incoming receivers," Bench said, before finishing the interview with a resounding "I'm just looking forward to football!!"
We all are, Steven. We all are.
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2 recs | 64 comments
I don't want to start a big argument....
but I think that there is a “clear cut” starter at QB as of the end of 2011. McGloin has earned that.
However, I will say that the others are not that far behind him and there should be spirited competition in the spring and fall. I am sure that O’Brien will not have the no unflailing allegiance to a senior that JoePa seemed to have if one of the others show they can do the job better.
I am looking forward to another year of “Quarterback Controversy”. Hopefully, one will begin to distance himself from the others as the starter.
PaJoe - February 2, 2012
He was the clear cut started at the end of 2011
But who knows what 2012 will bring.
PSUCharmas - February 2, 2012
You're 100% correct.
And if we had the same staff as we did in 2011, running the same “offense” we ran in 2011, I think McGloin would and should be the unquestioned starter in 2012. But we’ll have to see how BOB evaluates each of the QBs and how effectively they can run his offense. McGloin has a leg up on everyone due to game experience, but he’s just not that much more talented enough for me to state with confidence that starting anyone else would be a mistake.
We may even see the rebirth of Boldendbl5030 - February 2, 2012
The one thing I am NOT worried about is QB
The one thing I am 100% confident in is who BOB selects as his starting QB. If its Bolden, McGloin or even Jones I believe that BOB has enough skill with QB’s to select the right one. I believe he will clean up a lot of their flaws and they will be improved. Now, that doesn’t mean your looking at an all conference players either. I think they finally have a coach there that will improve a QB ( nothing personal Jay ).
NJDeadhead - February 2, 2012
The reason why you "name" McGloin as the prohibitive favorite to start, but...
You hold an open starting QB competition in the summer. While I think McGloin is certainly the best option right now, because of his experience, his play still didn’t inspire confidence. BO’B’s experience with QBs give me confidence that he will make the right decision. Ultimately, we’ll see.
I still haven’t given up on Bolden, and I think it was pretty clear that the previous staff gave up on him. If he doesn’t improve at all under BO’B this coming year, then yes, I think he’s done.
OLDLIONofNYC - February 2, 2012
The staff didn't give up
on Bolden, they kept trotting him out there when it was clear he wasn’t as capable as McGloin. I’m 95% percent sure that will be the case this year. But with a new coach a QB competition will be had, I’d expect McGloin to win.
kingofsmoke - February 2, 2012
I expect McGloin to win also, but you still take a look at everyone..including Bench
OLDLIONofNYC - February 2, 2012
And yes they did give up on him
Just trotting a guy out there who you have run the same plays over & over again without woking with him and having him get destroyed, is the same as giving up.
I will say this, I don’t know what is in that kid’s head and maybe he gave up on himself as well. But coaches have to serve as motivators and you have to at least try to at least get him to work.
We’ll see what BO’B and his staff do
OLDLIONofNYC - February 2, 2012
I don't necessarily like being the one to defend the old staff
but how do you know they didn’t work with him? None of us were in practice, we don’t know what they saw. We don’t know what plays they worked on, what he did well when in practice and what he didn’t. We just don’t know what happened. These guys all had their jobs for a while, and all had pride in PSU—I find it highly doubtful that everyone would continue to sign off on starting a guy “they” gave up on.
Cari Greene - February 2, 2012
Agree
I’ve given up on Bolden and will be thoroughly surprised if he’s even with the team next season. If he does return, it would make more sense to redshirt Bench. The only serious option to replace McGloin is PJ and we still have never seen him in a game.
We get McGloin for one more moxie filled season.
NittanyBlueHen - February 2, 2012
QBs next season
I don’t think they can afford to RS Bench. First I don’t think, after 2 years, Jones is gonna ever gonna overcome his academic issues. If McGloin/Bolden gets hurt we aint got much for backup then. Maybe Lewis, even tho coming in as WR, he’s played a lot of QB, and quite well.
Nectir - February 2, 2012
Redshirts aren't official until the end of the season...
If McGloin gets hurt and Bolden is still suck, you can pull the redshirt and let him out there. On the other hand, there’s no reason for him to take a few snaps at the Ohio game and burn it when you don’t need to.
nickrapak - February 2, 2012
I suspect that will be the plan
reedjohnmiller - February 2, 2012
on another note - sorry for using this section
Does anyone in state college know where Coach’s final resting location at pinehurst cemetary? I just drove up from Atlanta and need to pay my respects.
Thx!
Batwing - February 2, 2012
I don't think it has been disclosed yet
I could be wrong though
Dr.TobiasFunke - February 2, 2012
Found it!
No way was I going to drive over 24 hrs round trip without locating the big guy!
Batwing - February 2, 2012
Well, where was it ?
NJDeadhead - February 2, 2012
the golf course country club
in Lemont has a little cemetary off to the side. Coach’s resting place is in the back. It was great to finally meet him and pay my respects. I cried like a little child but thankful and honored nonetheless.
Batwing - February 2, 2012
Batwing, the collective tears would make the Pacific
look like a teacup full of water. Thanks for sharing; safe travels!
PSU_Lions_84 - February 2, 2012
Here
Smee - February 3, 2012
Bench's excitement is contagious.
79 days until the Blue-White game.
SarcasmJam - February 2, 2012
Bench reminds me of McGloin
Not in a football sense but in a leader sense. From the way he talks and the excitement he has I think he will be a good leader. That was the big thing that stood out for me with McGloin. He has this vibe with him that makes his team want to push and fight for him. I just hope that excitement goes with him on the field.
jetskijoe - February 2, 2012
I can't find the article right now...
…but one of the southern recruiting analysts at 247Sports used the adjective “moxie” when describing Bench’s play. So, yea.
Jeff Junstrom - February 2, 2012
I really cannot wait until I never hear that word used in the same sentence as one of our QBs again.
Uhaul - February 2, 2012
Agreed.
I think to be a football player in general you have to have “moxie”, but it get’s you nowhere without some ability. So tired of it…
OLDLIONofNYC - February 2, 2012
It's essentially a backhanded comment.
That’s the go-to comment an analyst employs when he/she cannot find something nice to say about a player’s actual talent/ability.
Uhaul - February 2, 2012
exactly
moxie generally means that hes not very good, but theres something about him that others rally around.
swiggy04 - February 2, 2012
Moxie
Moxie is actually a pretty good thing. Just too many dumbasses on here think it’s some kind of dis.
mox·ie [mok-see]
noun Slang .
1. vigor; verve; pep.
2. courage and aggressiveness; nerve.
3. skill; know-how: energy; spunk; spirit.
Nectir - February 2, 2012
The word is good
but it’s almost damning with faint praise. Instead of saying “accurate” or “strong-armed” or “athletic” etc, they default to moxie, like baseball players (David Eckstein, Craig Counsell, Jack Wilson) are often termed “scrappy” when they aren’t all that naturally gifted, but play hard.
OctaShields - February 3, 2012
Big difference I see
is that Bench seems pretty humble, and would let his play on the field do the talking.
dbl5030 - February 2, 2012
He's definitely has more potential than McGloin
It will be interesting to see how BO’B and his staff develop this kid.
OLDLIONofNYC - February 2, 2012
ive seen a few people state openly
that they are a little in awe that he was only 3 stars.
swiggy04 - February 2, 2012
The most important question regarding Bench:
Have any more pictures of his mother surfaced? Say maybe from a beach vacation or something like that.
icavalera - February 2, 2012
LOL.
She does look quite the MILF doesn’t she…
OLDLIONofNYC - February 2, 2012
It's all about the ladies of the South, my friends.
Just one of the many reasons I attended South Carolina for undergrad.
Uhaul - February 2, 2012
Hmm
We must have gone to a different USC because I do not recall anything that did not make me want to study abroad for three semesters.
sctx109 - February 2, 2012
There is absolutely no way you could have attended the University of South Carolina (or any SEC school outside of UF and MSU) and believe that.
Unless you suffer from glaucoma.
Uhaul - February 2, 2012
Attended
not suffering from glaucoma, and lived above 5 points.
sctx109 - February 2, 2012
Though I was from Texas
and maybe that skews perceptions.
sctx109 - February 2, 2012
Penn State is getting a helluva two-fer out of the Benches',
a QB and a cheerleader! Are you ready for some southern football PSU?
LShiver - February 3, 2012
im in my 20s so i can say this and not feel as creepy
but if you follow him on twitter, he retweets alot of ladies that i assume are in high school with him that are good looking, and ill leave it at that cause the phone just rang in my office and its either the IT guy or the police, and if it is them, you can rest assured i only judge their looks if they are 18.
swiggy04 - February 2, 2012
That has to be a step-mother, or sister in that picture
Nectir - February 2, 2012
nope, there are other shots of her and that is just a very good picture. Still, very attractive but easily old enough to have a 17 yr old son.
BMAN13 - February 2, 2012
and after some easy internet stalking, graduated high school in 81
BMAN13 - February 3, 2012
it's too late for all of you
I called Dibs during the open thread yesterday. lol
smh244 - February 2, 2012
I really hope Bench doesn't read this.
Haha
Uhaul - February 2, 2012
too late, already have that LOI right?
besides, if my mom looked like that i’d be pretty proud. You know when he was like 14 kids were just showing up wanting to be his friend.
smh244 - February 2, 2012
Yes, but someone later commented that by posting the pic,
I had called an implied dibs.
icavalera - February 2, 2012
i don't want to rehash but
i still don’t think you can imply dibs. In that respect, Junny has called dibs on most of the recruits, which is just wrong.
smh244 - February 2, 2012
Yea, there's no such thing as implied dibs.
jman07 - February 3, 2012
I think "Grandpa" in the pic
has had dibs for almost two decades.
rahpsu92 - February 2, 2012
Who is the Bolden guy you speak of?
Not ringing a bell.
LB31Monster - February 2, 2012
This might be my favorite recruiting class
just by the merit that they chose this program based on what it truly represents. They didn’t do this during the easy, victorious times, but during the trying, difficult ones. It reveals a lot about their character, and I’m excited to welcome them into the Penn State family.
Cadderly18 - February 2, 2012
This is the same reason why I have a special place in my heart for DWill's class.
Not quite the same level of “trying, difficult” times, but still. They chose Penn State, for better or for worse. I love it.
PSUmob - February 2, 2012
Completely agree
And that year gave me three of my favorite PSU memories ever:
Northwestern come-from-behind victory
Ohio State “headstand”
Victory in Orange Bowl (I was lucky enough to attend)
Honorable mention: Lowry interception that was returned to the 1 yd. line (I’ve never heard Beaver Stadium so loud)
Cadderly18 - February 2, 2012
2005 Psu vs O$u
Was one of the greatest games in Beaver Stadium..ever. I remember walking up to the stadium and feeling the crackle of electricity in the air. Incredible.
LoggingLion - February 2, 2012 via mobile
2012 Walk-On Nick Raimondi
Just saw somewhere where this kid from Pittsburgh is gonna walk-on at PSU for 2012.
OK now we’re gonna have way too many wide receivers!
Nick Raimondi highlights
Nectir - February 2, 2012
You can't have too many WRs
especially if some of them are flipping to DB as suggested.
Cari Greene - February 2, 2012
Also special teams
Can never have too many WR and LB
OctaShields - February 3, 2012
Don't forget
This was the same humble beginnings Deon Butler went through—now look where he is. You never know.
CyphaPSU - February 2, 2012
Another walk-on to watch
Jack Haffner of State College had about a million yards this year and came close to eclipsing Larry Johnson’s county record, but despite doing this against a very tough schedule, he got no major D1 scholarship interest. I don’t know why and neither does his coach. He turned down 1-AA offers to try his luck as a walk-on with Penn State. Gotta love that ambition. Even if he’s only ever on the scout team, that kind of hustle helps.
reedjohnmiller - February 2, 2012
Haffner
Looked at his Youtube videos. Small, but solid and shifty runner. High motor, legs never stop moving. Look at some Ray Rice video. Looks like his white twin.
Nectir - February 2, 2012
THASSSS RAYCESS
jman07 - February 3, 2012
not too small
6 foot 215
BMAN13 - February 3, 2012
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