Penn State Football in contact with transfer portal QB
According to reports Penn State Football has been in contact with newest transfer portal quarterback TJ Finley
Penn State Football Head coach James Franklin has said the Nittany Lions were open to adding a quarterback in the transfer portal, it just has to be the right fit, and it seems they may have identified a potential right fit.
SEC Network college football analyst Cole Cubelic is reporting that TJ Finley has narrowed his choices down to three schools; Auburn, Texas and Penn State Football.
Cubelic added that the former LSU quarterback has set not only his sights on those three blue bloods, but expects to make his decision very soon, which makes sense considering he already missed out on spring practice.
The six-foot-six and 242 pound Finley is a former three star recruit out of Ponchatoula,LA who had offers from the likes of Alabama, Georgia and Oregon to name a few.
He saw the field for the first time as a second year freshman at LSU in 2020 after started Myles Brennan was injured. He threw for 941 yards and five touchdowns to go with five interceptions in only five games. The Tigers went 2-3 in those games, although two losses did come to Alabama and Texas AM, both top five teams.
He was eventually replaced by Max Johnson who led the teams upset win over Florida before seasons end. It was a small sample size for the freshman, but with his size and rocket arm, he is a raw talent with intriguing prospects.
Time will tell if he ultimately chooses Penn State Football, but let’s take a look at the pros and cons to potentially bringing Finley to Happy Valley.
Why Finley makes sense for the Nittany Lions
Penn State Football only has three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster at the moment, two of which have never completed a pass at the collegiate level.
Sean Clifford looks to be a safe bet to be the starter come week 1 when the Nittany Lions travel to Wisconsin, however who will be the no. 2 behind him still seems up in the air.
In a press conference earlier his offseason, Franklin noted wanting to find a no. 2 this spring, and if he is interested in adding through the portal, it tells you all you need to know about how the staff views redshirt freshman Ta’Quan Roberson.
Roberson is a former four star, top 300 recruit and was highly touted coming out of New Jersey. However, Penn State Footballs unwillingness to give him a chance amidst an 0-5 start to the 2020 season.
At this point of the offseason it is hard to envision Finley coming in and pushing Clifford as the starter, but he could provide stability as a backup and potentially a long term project for Yurcich for 2022 and beyond.
Finely’s SEC experience, all be it only in 6 games, gives the offense someone who has led an offense when the bullets are flying, something they don’t have with Roberson.