Penn State hires Trace McSorley to football staff role
After being teased as a new addition to the football staff over the weekend, the news is finally official. Former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley has joined the football program's coaching staff to serve as the team's assistant quarterbacks coach for head coach James Franklin and quarterbacks coach Danny O'Brien.
Penn State announced the hiring of McSorley by posting on social media on Tuesday evening. Athletics director Pat Kraft teased McSorley's addition to the staff over the weekend during an appearance at THON.
McSorley was a three-year starter for Penn State and was a key player in some of the best years coached by James Franklin. McSorley helped lead Penn State to its only Big Ten championship in the Big Ten championship game era in 2016 and led the Nittany Lions to a victory in the Fiesta Bowl in 2017. McSorley ended his college football career as Penn State's all-time leading passer with 9,899 career passing yards, a mark that has since been eclipsed by Sean Clifford. McSorley also owns the second-most passing touchdowns in school history with 77 (again only eclipsed by Clifford; Drew Allar is closing in on McSorley for second on the all-time list in 2025 with 53 career touchdown passes)
Home run hire! Welcome home, 9⃣.#WeAre x @McSorley_IX pic.twitter.com/3Q1TKkmrvF
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) February 25, 2025
Mcsorley will be reunited with Franklin, who originally recruited him to Vanderbilt. McSorley flipped from Vanderbilt to Penn State after Franklin was hired away from the Commodores to be the head coach of the Nittany Lions.
Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Former Penn State QB Trace McSorley officially hired to staff position
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
31 minutes ago
- Washington Post
The leaders of college sports still don't get it
A quarter century ago, the NCAA invested $150,000 in lobbying on Capitol Hill. To a couple of lobbyists. For one year. In the first quarter of this year alone, the college sports governing body spent more than a quarter of a million dollars on the same. Using more than a dozen lobbyists. After having spent more than half a million dollars on lobbying last year, just as it had in each year since 2021. While throwing its authority behind bills such as H.R. 8534, titled the 'Protecting Student Athletes' Economic Freedom Act,' which would actually do anything but by restricting college athletes from being classified as employees who receive a paycheck and benefits like everyone else working in college sports. The NCAA's lobbying fund has been well spent. So too, apparently, was the $200,000 that the bellwether college athletic conference, the SEC, spent in 2025's first quarter to get its concerns before legislators, on top of the $800,000 it doled out last year. And the $160,000 the Big Ten spent in this year's first quarter, chasing the $460,000 it paid in 2024. Because listening Thursday to a congressional subcommittee discussing the barely week-old court approval of the multibillion dollar House v. NCAA settlement, which codified for the first time that colleges can pay their athletes directly, it was clear that what much of the media touted last week as a landmark victory for athletes may have been a big win for those who have always controlled them — the NCAA and the colleges and universities for whom they toil. Certainly, the Republicans who control House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on commerce, manufacturing and trade sounded Thursday as if they had bought what those entities were selling, from outdated terminology describing college athletes to ideas about how to manage them in the future, no matter last week's liberating decision. They called the hearing, 'Winning Off the Field: Legislative Proposal to Stabilize NIL and College Athletics.' The senior member of the committee, Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Florida), and most others referred to college athletes as 'student-athletes,' the misleading phrase created by the modern NCAA's architect, Walter Byers, as a prophylactic for the NCAA and its member schools against claims that college athletes were employees entitled to compensation and, particularly if injured, benefits. Most of the inquisitors — 14 of the subcommittee's 25 members are Republicans — seemed to prefer answers from one of the four witnesses, SEC associate commissioner William King, who in his opening statement regurgitated the false bromide about college athletes: 'We're the only country in the world where elite athletes … can use their athletic ability to receive a college education for free while pursuing their athletic goals at the same time.' Free? Their athleticism, which results in scoring touchdowns and getting buckets, is called labor. In return, they get room and board and the chance to pursue a degree. Meanwhile, King, on the backs of those athletes' labor, was paid three-quarters of a million dollars last year and his boss, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, pocketed $4.2 million. SEC football and basketball players are no less employees than the conference executives, athletic directors and coaches for whom they perform. And they should be treated as such. Sharing in the revenue they produce in addition to selling their name, image and likeness. Enjoying the ability to organize. Being represented at the bargaining table. But the Republicans running Thursday's subcommittee have also floated legislation titled the 'Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act of 2025' that includes, among other restrictions on those athletes, several provisions ensuring those athletes would not be designated as employees. Unless and until those who control college athletics fully acknowledge and treat athletes as the employees who make college sports thrive, it will forever be a queasy enterprise, morally and ethically. Even Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh underscored as much four years ago in the ruling that tipped the scale and helped make last week's ruling possible. 'The bottom line is that the NCAA and its member colleges are suppressing the pay of student-athletes who collectively generate billions of dollars in revenues for colleges every year,' Kavanaugh wrote in NCAA v. Alston. 'Those enormous sums of money flow to seemingly everyone except the student-athletes. College presidents, athletic directors, coaches, conference commissioners, and NCAA executives take in six- and seven-figure salaries. Colleges build lavish new facilities. But the student-athletes who generate the revenues, many of whom are African American and from lower-income backgrounds, end up with little or nothing.' Yet these legislators, so many college athletic administrators from the most powerful conferences such as the SEC and, of course, the NCAA, still don't want to share the whole loaf. Only a slice. Last week's agreement gives colleges the options to share up to $20.5 million with their athletes over the next year. But that's a fraction of the wealth produced by college sports. King defended using the vernacular vestiges that deny employment status to college athletes by claiming, without evidence, that most SEC athletes don't want to be employees of their universities. This is the same conference that I found talking its football players into playing amid a newfangled pandemic with long-term health consequences unknown at the time. It strains credulity, of course, that those athletes wouldn't want to be paid like King, or their coaches, or even someone on the maintenance crew — and to receive all the same health benefits, long-term and short, and worker's comp. After all, the NCAA likes to tout that most of its athletes 'go pro in something other than sports.' Which means college is their biggest opportunity to earn money from their athletic talent. Don't be hypocritical by denying them.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Updated Big Ten football helmet rankings for 2025
Updated Big Ten football helmet rankings for 2025 Traditional looks continue to lead the Big Ten in style points. The Big Ten is home to some of college football's true blueblood programs and some of the most traditional uniforms and helmets. From storied programs like Penn State, Michigan, and Ohio State and Western powers like Oregon and USC, the Big Ten has spanned the nation to take ownership of some of the best looks in the sport of college football. But which Big Ten program has the best helmet design? Naturally, this conversation should lead to some debates and homer picks, and I am not about to suggest this list will be any different. As a college football connoisseur and a fan of the history and tradition of the sport, I have my own list of preferences when it comes to the best looks in the game. Perhaps my updated look at my Big Ten helmet power rankings for 2025 will surprise you a bit, or perhaps some of the results will be expected. Regardless, I did feel the urge to make a couple of small differences to this year's Big Ten helmet rankings compared to my ranking in 2024. So, who is trending up and who is falling? Here is my updated ranking of the Big Ten's helmets for the 2025 season. 18. Nebraska Cornhuskers 2024 ranking: 18 A year ago I ranked Nebraska at the bottom of the helmet power rankings. As much as I have respect for the history and tradition of Nebraska football, I still firmly believe it is time for the program to give the helmet a little bit of an upgrade. The simple block "N" slapped on the side of the helmet looks uninspired and in painful need of a font upgrade of some sort. Maybe I am being too disrespectful to the Nebraska look, or maybe that just speaks to the depth of the Big Ten helmet collection ahead of it. For more Nebraska news, analysis, and opinions, visit Cornhuskers Wire 17. Northwestern Wildcats 2024 ranking: 17 Northwestern remains just ahead of Nebraska in this year's update to the Big Ten helmet power rankings. The Wildcats have explored some alternate helmet designs in recent years, and most have been pretty solid. From the white helmet with purple logo and a black helmet, Northwestern manages to make purple work well. In fact, the standard purple helmet may not even be the best helmet for Northwestern. But it is unique. 16. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 2024 ranking: 16 Rutgers is another program that has a fairly standard look and has modified the color scheme at times. Like Nebraska, Rutgers is playing with red and white but the Rutgers letter mark logo has a more distinguished look than what Nebraska is offering. As a result, Rutgers manages to stay out of the bottom spot in the Big Ten helmet rankings. 2024 ranking: 15 Illinois is a program that is continuing to try and build something up on the football field, and some of that work has gone into updating the identity of the program. The Illini have worn a variety of helmets lately, some better and more notable than others, like the script "Illinois" worn in the bowl game last season. Here's hoping the script "Illinois" makes some more appearances, but the Illini are a potential team to move up if they can find one look to stick. 14. Indiana Hoosiers 2024 ranking: 14 My sentiment on Indiana having an underrated look remains the same, but last year the Hoosiers fought tooth and nail for respectability on the field as well. Indiana's "IU" interlocking logo on the helmet continues to look good on the crimson helmet and I see no reason for the Hoosiers to go away from that look. The uniforms may be another story for some, but the Indiana helmet is just fine the way it is. 13. Purdue Boilermakers 2024 ranking: 13 Purdue's look is stronger than its performance on the field most year, and that may once again be the case in 2025. In the state of Indiana, Purdue gets the upper hand on the helmet power ranking with its gold helmet and black logo, but the Hoosiers will likely still control the scoreboard at the end of the year. Purdue does have some alternate options, like a black helmet. This is a solid secondary option for the Boilermakers. 12. Minnesota Golden Gophers 2024 ranking: 12 Minnesota's helmets are a bit polarizing with some being absolutely fantastic and others, not so much. Sometimes I feel as though Minnesota tries too much, but that is just what should be expected from a program led by PJ Fleck. We'll see what the Gophers roll out this season, but their simpler options tend to be their most respectable looks.. 11. Wisconsin Badgers 2024 ranking: 9 There is a bit of a change in the Big Ten helmet rankings for 2025, and the first culprit is Wisconsin. Wisconsin takes a slight step back in this year's rankings, and perhaps it is time to admit that Wisconsin's look may be in need of a revision. Wisconsin's flying "W" is iconic and unique, but is it time to give it a fresh update? Is there anything that can be done to breathe new life into the Badgers with their look and performance on the field in 2025? For more Wisconsin news, analysis, and opinions, visit Badgers Wire. 2024 ranking: 8 Iowa still has one of the best logos, and their Pittsburgh Steelers color combo still manages to work for the progam in 2025. Iowa does take a step down in this year's updated Big Ten helmet power rankings but only because the next two schools are deserving of moving up. For more Iowa news, analysis, and opinions, visit Hawkeyes Wire. 9. Maryland Terrapins 2024 ranking: 11 The first school moving up and into the top 10 this year is Maryland. The Maryland helmets and uniforms have been scrutinized for years, going back to the introduction of the state pride uniform and helmet combo, but the Terrapins have evolved and found a classic look that fits in well in their Big Ten surroundings. The "Terps" on the side of the helmet is perfect for the program and works best on the red helmet. But Maryland's white alternate helmet with red "Terps" looks great too. Just stay away from the black look, Maryland. 8. Washington Huskies 2024 ranking: 10 Also moving up this year is second-year Big Ten member Washington. I really liked Washignton's helmet look coming into the conference and my fondness has grown a bit one year on. Washington's gold helmet is the best look for the Huskies, although they have experimented with a couple of alternate looks like others on this list too. But when Washington sticks to the basics, it works best. For more Washington news, analysis, and opinions, visit Huskies Wire. 7. UCLA Bruins 2024 ranking: 7 UCLA basically does everything Washignton does with their gold helmets, but the UCLA script looks better. UCLA doesn't need to do much to their helmet to make it look great, and straying away from this classic look is ill-advised for the Bruins. For more UCLA news, analysis, and opinions, visit Bruins Wire. 6. Michigan State Spartans 2024 ranking: 6 Some may say Michigan State should consider replacing the logo on the helmet in favor of something else. To that I say, are you nuts? Michigan State's Sparty logo on the side looks great, no matter if it is a white logo on a green helmet or vice versa. Both look solid for the Spartans. For more Michigan State news, analysis, and opinions, visit Spartans Wire. 5. Oregon Ducks 2024 ranking: 5 Oregon made a big splash in its first season in the Big Ten in 2024, running through the conference to a Big Ten championship and the top seed in the College Football Playoff. And of course, they did so in their signature modern look. Choosing one Oregon helmet is impossible because the Ducks make multiple options look great. The variety is a detriment for some programs, but not for Oregon. No matter which dome they choose, it's going to look great. But the top spots in the Big Ten remain reserved for some of the more classic and iconic looks. For more Oregon news, analysis, and opinions, visit Ducks Wire. 4. USC Trojans 2024 ranking: 4 USC's first season in the Big Ten may not have gone according to plan, but at least they looked good. The classic look of the Trojans stands the test of time and there is a reason you do not see the Trojans mess with their look. The classic golden yellow trojan logo still looks iconic on the side of the Cardinal-colored helmet. There is nothing USC should ever do to this look. For more USC news, analysis, and opinions, visit Trojans Wire. 3. Ohio State Buckeyes 2024 ranking: 3 Ohio State may have been the kings of the college football world in the 2024 season, but their helmets still managed to only crack the top three in the Big Ten in 2025. There is no mistaking the Ohio State helmet with its simple gray helmet and scarlet striping, complete with Buckeye stickers for players making notable plays. Ohio State's look is a simple and straightforward take, and it works very well. This is why it is frustrating when the program opts for an alternate look, because the traditional helmet needs no substitute. For more Ohio State news, analysis, and opinions, visit Buckeyes Wire. 2. Michigan Wolverines 2024 ranking: 2 Just as they have on the field in recent years, Michigan gets the upper hand on Ohio State in this year's Big Ten helmet rankings. The signature winged helmet pattern remains as iconic as ever for the Wolverines, and the look still manages to command respect whenever it makes an appearance on the field. For more Michigan news, analysis, and opinions, visit Wolverines Wire. 1. Penn State Nittany Lions 2024 ranking: 1 You knew this one was coming. How could you not? Penn State's simple white helmet and blue stripe is as perfectly minimalistic as they come, and has proven to stand the test of time from generation to generation. Why mess with absolute perfection? Yes, Penn State does modify this look for the generations of greatness look typically seen around homecoming, but even that manages to look great. Penn State doesn't need to dazzle you with its helmet, and that remains the truth in 2025. Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Ranking all 18 Big Ten football stadiums from youngest to oldest
Ranking all 18 Big Ten football stadiums from youngest to oldest With the recent conference expansion, the Big Ten is now home to some of the oldest and most famous football stadiums in the world. Those are, in no particular order, Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium, Michigan Stadium, Ohio Stadium, Penn State's Beaver Stadium, UCLA's Rose Bowl, USC's L.A. Memorial Stadium, Nebraska's Memorial Stadium, Iowa's Kinnick Stadium, and so on. Related: Ranking all 18 Big Ten football stadiums from smallest to largest When non-Big Ten football history is also considered, such as the L.A. Memorial Coliseum's Olympic events, Super Bowl and World Series, plus the Rose Bowl's annual Rose Bowl Game, the conference's repertoire is further bolstered. If one were to rank the college football conferences by the history of their members' stadiums, the Big Ten would boast the prohibitive No. 1 slot. For a look at that history, which in many cases is more than 100 years old, here is every Big Ten football stadium ranked from youngest to oldest. 18. Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium (Northwestern) Capacity: 12,023 Opened: 2024 (temporary) Northwestern demolished old Ryan Field before the 2024 season. It currently plays in this temporary lakefront stadium, at least until the weather starts to turn in November, when it moves to the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field. The new Ryan Field is set to open in 2026. It will have little trouble besting the old version. 17. Huntington Bank Stadium (Minnesota) Capacity: 50,805 Opened: 2009 Minnesota's stadium is on the newer side. The Gophers played at their own Memorial Stadium from 1924 to 1981, when they moved to the nearby Metrodome. Huntington Bank Stadium, an on-campus venue, also hosted the Minnesota Vikings for two years. 16. SHI Stadium (Rutgers) Capacity: 52,454 Opened: 1994 Rutgers' campus has plenty of history -- it hosted the first recorded intercollegiate football game, between then-Rutgers College (Rutgers) and the College of New Jersey (Princeton). The site of that game is not where modern-day Rutgers plays football, however. The 30-year-old SHI Stadium doesn't have much history. 15. Autzen Stadium (Oregon) Capacity: 54,000 Opened: 1967 Autzen is one of the most beautiful college football stadiums. Its atmosphere also swings above its weight with only a 54,000-seat capacity. This venue should be one of the Big Ten's toughest to win at for as long as Dan Lanning is leading the Ducks. Get more (Oregon) news, analysis, and opinions on Ducks Wire 14. Memorial Stadium (Indiana) Capacity: 52,626 Opened: 1960 (Oct. 8) Memorial Stadium saw the best season in its 65-year history in 2024, as the Hoosiers went 11-1 during the regular season (8-0 at home) and reached the College Football Playoff. Its opening year is tied with one other stadium, the two separated by only a month. 13. Beaver Stadium (Penn State) Capacity: 106,572 Opened: 1960 (September 17) Beaver Stadium may hold the crown for the best stadium atmosphere in college football. For those skeptical of the stadium's impact, find the highlights of its 2024 CFP game against SMU. At 106,572, it is also the second-largest stadium in the sport. Get more (Penn State) news, analysis, and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire 12. SECU Stadium (Maryland) Capacity: 51,802 Opened: 1950 2025 will be the 75th year for Maryland at SECU Stadium. In addition to Maryland football, the stadium hosted the USFL's Baltimore Stars in 1985, plus 10 Division I NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships. 11. Kinnick Stadium (Iowa) Capacity: 69,250 Opened: 1929 Kinnick Stadium is one of the Big Ten's better venues. It is one of an incredible total of 11 Big Ten stadiums built before 1930. Thanks to Iowa's classic identity and dominant defense, it is one of the toughest places to play, especially at night. Get more (Iowa) news, analysis, and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire 10. Michigan Stadium (Michigan) Capacity: 107,601 Opened: 1927 There is an argument for Michigan Stadium as one of the more overrated venues in the Big Ten. It is more than 107,000 seats that span further and further away from the field itself, where the top row may find itself in another zip code. That aside, the venue's history is second-to-none. Remarkably, the conference's 10th-oldest stadium is nearly 100 years old. Get more (Michigan) news, analysis, and opinions on Wolverines Wire 9. Ross-Ade Stadium (Purdue) Capacity: 57,236 Opened: 1924 Ross Ade Stadium was a dangerous place for top-ranked teams for a few years during the Jeff Brohm era. The nearly 60,000-seat venue helped the 'Spoilermakers' develop their name. New coach Barry Odom is tasked with returning the program to that form after it experienced two poor years under Ryan Walters. 8. Memorial Stadium (Illinois) Capacity: 60,670 Opened: 1923 (Nov. 3) Illinois' Memorial Stadium is one of four venues that opened in 1923. It's also one of three stadiums with its name in the conference. In all likelihood, the 2025 season could see Illinois' best results in the venue since its undefeated seasons in 1923 and 1927. 7. Memorial Stadium (Nebraska) Capacity: 85,458 Opened: 1923 (Oct. 20) Here is the third Big Ten stadium to open in 1923, plus the conference's third 'Memorial Stadium.' The program has sold out 403 consecutive home games dating back to 1962, the longest sellout streak in NCAA history for any sport. As seen above, those sellouts are still far from full capacity. Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis, and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire 6. Spartan Stadium (Michigan State) Capacity: 75,005 Opened: 1923 (Oct. 6) Spartan Stadium edged Nebraska and Illinois' Memorial Stadiums by just a few weeks. The venue was one of the toughest places to play in the Big Ten for several years during the Mark Dantonio era. Spartan fans hope that Jonathan Smith is close to bringing the program back to that level. Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis, and opinions on Spartans Wire 5. L.A Memorial Coliseum (USC) Capacity: 77,500 Opened: 1923 (May 1) While the L.A. Memorial Coliseum technically opened on May 1, 1923, it did not host a game until Oct. 6 of that year. In addition to USC football, it has hosted two Summer Olympics (1932 and 1984 -- plus another upcoming in 2028), the Los Angeles Rams (1946-79, 2016-19), the Los Angeles Dodgers (1958-61), a Super Bowl (I) and more. It is by far the conference's most historic venue. Get more (USC) news, analysis, and opinions on Trojans Wire 4. Rose Bowl Stadium (UCLA) Capacity: 89,702 Opened: 1922 (October 28) When only college football is considered, the Rose Bowl's history is second-to-none. It hosted four BCS National Championship Games (2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013 seasons), four CFP semifinals (2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023 seasons and one quarterfinal (2024 season). In addition, it also hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup final, which Brazil won over Italy in penalty kicks. Get more (UCLA) news, analysis, and opinions on UCLA Wire 3. Ohio Stadium (Ohio State) Capacity: 102,780 Opened: 1922 (October 7) Ohio Stadium is synonymous with Big Ten football. Part of that is the strength of the Buckeyes' program, which has won nine national titles (1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970, 2002, 2014 and 2024). Another is the venue's history, which is older than just two in the Big Ten. Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis, and opinions on Buckeyes Wire 2. Husky Stadium (Washington) Capacity: 70,138 Opened: 1920 This inclusion is a bit surprising, given Washington's recent move to the conference. Husky Stadium is known as one of the most beautiful venues in the sport. It is not synonymous with the other 100-year-old-plus stadiums in the conference. But the numbers don't lie. Get more (Washington) news, analysis, and opinions on Huskies Wire 1. Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin) Capacity: 80,321 Opened: 1917 Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium claims the crown as the oldest venue in the Big Ten. The name comes from the history of the ground on which it stands, which was a Union Army training camp during the Civil War. Of course, its 'Jump Around' tradition has become one of the sport's best. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
