The Food Network is known for its popular series, “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” Like in Atlanta. With Garlic. On a Stick. In a Bowl.
With that premise in mind, we entered Wednesday’s Penn State football media availability thirsty for insight into what has stuck out the most — speaking of sticks — in the minds of the Nittany Lion players and coaches as they begin to wrap up summer drills for the 2023 preseason.
We asked them, “What’s the best thing you saw in summer practice?”
Some players said other players — mostly ones who were younger or transfers. A few noted unit cohesion.
And God bless star running back Nicholas Singleton. He combined my Food Network premise with the summer camp query — and came up with a pancake block by two of his teammates.
Same goes for defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg. He said his teammates along the line were hungry.
And then there’s new wide receivers coach Marques Hagans, who said he is grateful for the opportunity to be at Penn State. He offered plenty of grace.
Here’s a buffet of their replies:
Tyler Warren, Tight End
“I think it’s (wide receiver) Malik McClain’s growth. It’s not just one thing. But I think it’s noticeable — his growth from the spring to summer camp. He had a really good summer camp. He did a great job. There was one practice where he made a few really tough catches that he came down with. I didn’t see him drop one in that entire practice. That was one day that stuck out to me.”
Abdul Carter, Linebacker
“There are a couple of players who stood out. On defense, (end) Jameial Lyons, one of the freshmen who just got here, and (linebacker) Tony Rojas. Those young guys came in here with a chip on the shoulder. They’re trying to prove a point and get on the field. On offense, somebody who has taken a big step from last year is (wide receiver) Kaden Saunders. I think he’s going to help us this year.”
Nicholas Singleton, Running Back
“I’d have to say my line. They’re really doing a good job. They don’t get enough credit. Throughout camp they’ve been busting their butts the entire time. There was one play where I think it was (center) Hunter (Nourzad) and (guard) Sal (Wormley); they combined for a great block and pancaked the D-line. I had a good run. I could feel it, you know, so I can’t wait for the season.”
Jordan van den Berg, Defensive Tackle
“It’s how hungry the whole D-line room was in every single workout. It wasn’t like a workout — it was like a competition. It was really cool being around a bunch of like-minded individuals who were straining together.”
Deion Barnes, Defensive Line Coach
“I would say the moments would be going from the meeting room — establishing the culture of what I wanted out there and what we wanted as a coaching staff out there — and then seeing it actually duplicated and actually done out there. That’s the neatest thing to me: Actually seeing guys being intentional about the things they are being coached on. That’s the biggest thing.
“We’ve always been known for running to the ball. But you can see the intentions of when the ball is going from here to there or going from here to the other hash(mark) or the other sideline, and dudes are hunting and flying to the ball. They’ve been intentional with their hands in the right place, opening up the guy (on offense) and trying to win in there. They see it on film and they try to duplicate it on the football field.”
Marques Hagans, Wide Receivers Coach
“The first time coming out here as a coach and on this staff. You represent so much history and legacy that has gone before me. I just want to do a good job to make this place better than I found it. There are so many people who dedicated so much to make Penn State the national brand that it is. I just want to do my part to make it better. I’m just grateful to be here. I work for really great guys and have great players. Just being here is a great opportunity.”
