HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ to feature three former Penn State Football players
By Dylan Burd
The Oakland Raiders, the current team of former Penn State Football players such as Jason Cabinda, Saeed Blacknall, and Koa Farmer, will appear on HBO’s Hard Knocks this summer.
There’s no doubt that Hard Knocks has become a staple for NFL fans across the country. The one-hour, weekly show on HBO gives viewers an in-depth look at an NFL training camp each season through its five episodes.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter has announced that this year’s Hard Knocks team will be the Oakland Raiders. For Penn State football fans, they’re in luck, as former Nittany Lions Jason Cabinda, Saeed Blacknall, and Koa Farmer are all currently on the Raiders’ 90-man roster.
Cabinda, an inside linebacker, finished his Penn State career with 286 career tackles, good for ninth on the all-time list. He’s entering his second season in the NFL after signing with Oakland as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL Draft.
In his rookie season with the Raiders, he finished with 21 tackles, and impressed head coach Jon Gruden in the process.
Jon Gruden on UDFA rookie LB Jason Cabinda: “Cabinda's got that Penn State Linebacker U tradition all over. He's got that stuff. We need that at MLB. We haven't had an MLB in terms of stability here for a while, maybe since Greg Biekert (1993-2001).” pic.twitter.com/nzPwvXe1fa
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 16, 2018
Wide receiver Saeed Blacknall caught 50 passes for 979 yards and seven touchdowns in his Nittany Lions career. He also was signed to the Raiders as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL Draft.
Blacknall fought his way onto the practice squad and was promoted to the 53-man roster later in the season. He’s yet to record his first NFL catch.
Linebacker Koa Farmer recorded 128 tackles in his Penn State career. He signed with the Raiders following this year’s NFL Draft and will fight in training camp for a spot on the practice squad or on the 53-man roster.
Last season, Penn State fans got to see letterman defensive end Carl Nassib on Hard Knocks with the Cleveland Browns. The season before, it was wide receiver Chris Godwin in his rookie year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
There’s no doubt that Penn State letterman has provided us with some memorable Hard Knocks moments throughout the last two years.
The season premiere of Hard Knocks will be on Tuesday, August 6th on HBO.
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