Reps for backup QB, young players important piece of non-conference play

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – James Franklin said he’s pleased with Penn State’s quarterback situation thus far, saying the team is back to more of a “traditional model” which hasn’t been the case the last few years.

Penn State quarterbacks Tommy Stevens (4), Trace McSorley (9), Billy Fessler (16) and Christian Hackenberg (14) during practice on Aug. 6, 2015. (Photo/Craig Houtz)

Penn State has three scholarship players invested in the position between starter Christian Hackenberg, redshirt freshman Trace McSorley and freshman Tommy Stevens. Walk-ons Billy Fessler and Jackson Erdmann are behind Stevens, who is slated to take a redshirt this year.

“All three we’re excited about,” Franklin said following Wednesday’s practice. “You also have Billy Fessler who is doing a good job for us and Jackson Erdmann is doing a good job for us as well, but we’ve got three guys that I think if you asked anybody in our program, players or coaches, that they would say they’re excited about those three quarterbacks and what they’ve learned.”

Last year when McSorley redshirted the backup to Hackenberg, or at least the one who played in mop-up duty, was walk-on D.J. Crook. Penn State didn’t want to burn the redshirts of McSorley and Michael O’Connor, who has since transferred, in limited roles closing out games and despite the 44 sacks Hackenberg took he was able to play in every game.

Getting reps for the backup quarterback, as well as other young players, is something Franklin hopes the team can accomplish should the opportunity present itself this season.

In last year’s 48-7 win against UMass Crook came in late in the third quarter with Penn State up 41-0. Crook, who has since transferred to Albany, also came in last season to close out the team’s 31-13 win against Temple.

Fans thought they’d get their first look at McSorley in April at the Blue-White Game, but he ended up being scratched from the scrimmage. While the quarterbacks behind Hackenberg are still young, it’s always important to think big picture and while Hackenberg won’t discuss his NFL Draft potential, if he would opt to leave after this season it would make every rep McSorley can get this year in games that much more important.

Non-conference play of course is where Penn State might be able to get a big enough lead to allow this to play out. While it might not be the case in the season opener against Temple, the value of those live reps is important for the future.

“Hopefully we play some games where not only are we able to get the backup quarterback some reps, but some other players in your program some reps,” Franklin said. “That’s really valuable in terms of player development and program development and you know, you guys would probably know that better than me. How many games at Penn State over the last four years had pretty much been decided by the second or third quarter where guys can get legitimate reps? I don’t think that’s happened a whole lot.”

Audrey Snyder: asnyder@post-gazette.com and Twitter @audsnyder4.