Penn State Football Training Camp: News, Analysis, Injuries and Position Battles

Believe it not, the Penn State Nittany Lions will actually play a football game in three weeks.

I know it's hard to understand. It seems like everything involving this program over the last seven months has surrounded the Sandusky scandal or the NCAA sanctions that were recently handed down.

This team has lost many key contributors from last season, either due to graduation or transferring to another program. However, head coach Bill O'Brien is committed to turning the program around and giving Nittany Lions fans something to hang their hats on this year.

As we begin fall camp, here are the latest news, updates, injuries and more involving your Penn State Nittany Lions.

August 20, 2012

With the NCAA sanctions handed down to Penn State, players have the right to transfer whenever they would like without suffering any penalty. However, there is a loophole in the transfer rules. Once a player plays a down in the regular season, he must either finish the year or possibly suffer a penalty if he decides to transfer later during the 2012 season.

This has many thinking that head coach Bill O'Brien will play as many players as possible during the regular season to avoid any further possible transfers. (Via Mark Brennan of Scout.com)

“Obviously, if it's a close game, we're gonna play our best players,” O'Brien said. “We're gonna do what we've got to do to try to win the game.”

It seems that O'Brien is more focused on winning games rather than trying to keep his players from leaving Penn State.

“If you're gonna play a freshman, you really need to play him so you don't come out at the end of the year with a freshman who only played 10 plays and burned his redshirt,” O'Brien said.

The Nittany Lions open the season on September 1, against the Ohio Bobcats.

August 17, 2012

Wide receiver Devon Smith is the latest Nittany Lion to transfer, as he is now officially a member of the Marshall Thundering Herd. Smith finished third on the team last season with 25 receptions for 402 yards and was a projected starter on this Penn State offense.

With the recent transfer of running back Silas Redd, head coach Bill O'Brien says that Bill Belton will take over as the starter in the backfield. He carried the ball 13 times last season for 65 yards. Other backs that will help carry the load include Derek Day, Curtis Duke and Akeel Lynch.

August 13, 2012

Penn State lands a recruit

The Nittany Lions have landed their first recruit since the NCAA sanctions have been handed down. Jordan Smith, who is a 3-star defensive back, has decided to pick Penn State over schools such as Colorado and Kansas.

He says that he isn't really worried about what is going on with the program because he is focused on what really matters.

"The first thing that impressed me the most is the academics. Academics are one thing that won't change. A degree from Penn State speaks volumes," Smith said. (Via Jared Shanker of ESPN)

Practice time

With practices being ran and the season set to begin in just a couple of weeks, it is important we begin to focus on the current players. Penn State recently held its eighth practice of fall camp, which drew some great reviews.

"It's been a fast, long, hard stretch out of the gate, but on the whole I don't know that the team has ever been in better condition. A lot of the guys have really held up their end," one observer said. (Via Scout.com)

Bill Belton has took over the starting running back duties with Silas Redd transferring to USC. According to the report, quarterback Matt McGloin is seeing the field much better and "has benefited from the coaching (from Bill O'Brien and Charlie Fisher) he's gotten."

August 9, 2012

Penn State has been dealing with quite a bit over the past several months, with NCAA sanctions and players transferring schools. And senior cornerback Stephon Morris has an issue with offensive lineman Ryan Nowicki, who transferred to Illinois.

“I'm gonna say what I'm gonna say,” Morris said at Penn State football Media Day Thursday. “That's like me saying I'm gonna transfer to Michigan -- how would they feel? … No, that's a coward move to me.” (Via Mark Brennan of Scout.com)

It is clear that Morris does not have an issue with the rest of the players who transferred, as he goes on to wish some of them the best of luck throughout their careers. But switching schools within conference to become one of the enemies is something that the current Penn State players do not appreciate. 

August 8, 2012

Uniform changes

With everything else changing that involves Penn State, head coach Bill O'Brien has decided to switch the uniforms up a bit as well.

No, there will be no drastic change—unlike Maryland a season ago—but the new uniforms will include names on the back of the jerseys and a blue ribbon to support victims of child abuse.

From ESPN:

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'We want our fans to know and recognize these young men,' said coach Bill O'Brien, who was hired after last season. 'They have stuck together during tough times, and I commend them for the leadership they have shown.'

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Penn State players appeal

Many former Penn State players are reportedly planning to appeal the recent NCAA sanctions that were placed on the football program (via ESPN).

Players such as quarterback Michael Robinson and linebacker Brandon Short, among others, have sent an intent to appeal letter to the NCAA, which you can read here.

Time to focus on football

It is hard to get a feel for this Nittany Lions team, since every other question involves the aftermath of the Sandusky scandal. However, with the season set to begin in roughly three weeks, O'Brien says it is time to focus on football and the kids that have decided to ride through the storm (via Mark Brennan of Scout.com):

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We've got a bunch of proud kids that are here. They have a passion for playing football, they have a passion for going to school here. They really understand the reason we're in the situation we're in. But they still want to go out there and play for themselves and for their university. 

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Updates

This article will be updated throughout fall camp to provide you with the latest news, injuries and everything else that involves your Penn State Nittany Lions.