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Who is new Penn State Recruit Adam McCann-Gibbs?
Who is new Penn State Recruit Adam McCann-Gibbs?

USA Today

time7 hours ago

  • Sport
  • USA Today

Who is new Penn State Recruit Adam McCann-Gibbs?

Kicking is certainly not the sexiest position when it comes to recruiting. After all, it's not necessarily going to garner the most headlines, especially if you're a blue-blood program such as Penn State. Especially if you're struggling to make headway in a certain recruiting cycle to boot. However, a unique unicorn of a kicker has recently committed to the Nittany brings along with him a unique story. Adam McCann-Gibbs is not just unique because of his diverse origins. He is unique because he is already so well-rounded at a position that seems so simplistic. Not only is he the 22nd-ranked pure kicker in his class, but the 36th-ranked punter as well. It somehow makes you forget of the whole other side to his cult status completely. You see, McCann-Gibbs isn't even in high school. At just 17 years old, no college scouts have even really seen him in game action. But that's not it. McCann-Gibbs does not even have the advantage of growing up in the US either. He was born in Northern Ireland, a country more well-known for rugby than anything else. Despite this minor setback, McCann-Gibbs has set himself apart from the pack through rigorous training and commitment to his craft. Through Leader Kicking, a program set up through former rugby player Tadgh Leader, McCann-Gibbs has been able to showcase his skillset to a broader audience. For example, here is a clip of Gibbs booting over 70-yard punts at Leader's camp, proving his one-of-one talents. Gibbs is certainly walking into a competitive environment in the Penn State kicking room. Ryan Barker, a sophomore with two more years of eligibility left, has the upper hand right now, having won the job last year. Freshman walk-on Matthew Parker is set to join the squad this fall. Gibbs may have more luck as a punter, as both Riley Thompson and Gabe Nwosu will be out of eligibility by the time he steps foot on campus. Overall, the future is bright for young Gibbs. Don't be surprised that once he is a Nittany Lion, his intriguing skill set is put to good use.

Inside Penn State's soft start: Why a lack of a challenge early on could be a concern
Inside Penn State's soft start: Why a lack of a challenge early on could be a concern

USA Today

time8 hours ago

  • Sport
  • USA Today

Inside Penn State's soft start: Why a lack of a challenge early on could be a concern

Nevada, FIU, and Villanova are the first three home games on Penn State's 2025 football schedule. That sounds ideal on paper. Three Beaver Stadium victories with ease. However, Penn State may need to be on high alert because of that lack of a challenging start. Let's be honest. The state of Nevada is rebuilding. Last year, FIU's defense was among the worst in the nation. Villanova is an FCS program, although one of the better ones. Penn State ought to rule. However, it can backfire to dominate too easily. Will this team be prepared when the pressure comes in October if they aren't put to the test beforehand? When you're blowing teams out, you can only learn so much. When the game gets tight, what happens? What happens if you are behind in the fourth quarter of a road game against Iowa or Michigan? Identity becomes important at that point. Chemistry becomes important at that point. In September, Penn State might not be pushed. That is the issue. I heard it best from one Big Ten assistant. Winning every game by 30 doesn't reveal who you are. When someone punches you in the mouth, you learn. That won't occur against Nevada in Week 1. Most likely, it won't occur in Weeks 2 or 3 either. And this has happened before. Penn State dominated the first few weeks of the previous season. Then, in October, things became more serious. Additionally, they were unprepared for actual adversity and elite defenses. If they don't stay locked in through these early blowouts, there's a chance that it could happen again. This gentle start cannot be used as a justification for unwinding. It must serve as a launching pad. These games should be used by offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to sharpen the offense. Get reps from the young guys. Try out different packages. To ensure there is no drop-off when the Big Ten schedule arrives, establish that rhythm with quarterback Drew Allar and the rest of the offense early on, because complacency breeds comfort. And you will lose if you are complacent in a conference this deep.

Drew Allar: Summer scouting report for the Penn State quarterback
Drew Allar: Summer scouting report for the Penn State quarterback

USA Today

time15 hours ago

  • Sport
  • USA Today

Drew Allar: Summer scouting report for the Penn State quarterback

He Looks the Part, but Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze with Allar? Allar has the prototypical look of an NFL starter, but his tools aren't nearly as impressive. Listed at 6'5', 240 pounds, he has the size and matching strength to stand tall in the pocket, and is a surprisingly smooth mover in traffic. He's not quick enough to consistently extend plays, but his strength and awareness make him difficult to bring down. As a passer, Allar is just average. His mechanics aren't the best, and his arm strength is sufficiently average for a bigger guy. With Penn State's focus on Tyler Warren, he rarely had to drive the ball downfield, but he couldn't reach back for an extra gear on deeper throws. His overall accuracy is slightly above average, but wanes as throws get deeper downfield. His ball placement at all levels will need work in 2025, and his deep ball consistency was disappointing last season. He had flashes of dropping the ball in the bucket (CFP Quarterfinal), but often, defenders had time to adjust as his tended to float deeper throws. While many of his most impressive moments were on intermediate throws, Allar was still more of a 'see it, throw it' guy last season. He's smart enough to go through his progressions, but he's not a next-level processor who consistently gets to the backside of plays. Allar is an average decision-maker. He protects the ball well enough but will pass on aggressive downfield opportunities. This improved as the 2024 season progressed, but Allar will need to take another step to push for the QB1 spot. He has just enough athleticism and creativity to keep plays alive outside the pocket, but his arm strength and accuracy dip. It's hard to trust him throwing on the move. Allar may be built like Josh Allen, but he is in no way the same running threat. He's tough with the ball in his hands, but his legs won't strike fear into NFL opponents. Overall, Allar has the measurables to warrant Day 1 consideration, and if his numbers take another step forward in 2025, he could push into the top 10. However, multiple tools must improve before he's worth taking in the first round. Check out my full Drew Allar preseason report and grade onmy Substack.

Yuri Collins with the 2 Pt
Yuri Collins with the 2 Pt

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Yuri Collins with the 2 Pt

Five NHL Teams Who Could Land Gavin McKenna In The 2026 NHL Draft Earlier this week, projected 2026 first-overall pick Gavin McKenna committed to Penn State University. He is undoubtedly a massive pickup for the school, as he dominated the Western Hockey League (WHL) over the last few seasons. This past campaign with the Medicine Hat Tigers was his best, though, as he had 41 goals and 129 points in 56 regular-season games and 38 points in 16 playoff games. 2:38 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing

Anonymous GM Says Saquon Barkley's 2K Season Wasn't a Fluke
Anonymous GM Says Saquon Barkley's 2K Season Wasn't a Fluke

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Anonymous GM Says Saquon Barkley's 2K Season Wasn't a Fluke

Anonymous GM Says Saquon Barkley's 2K Season Wasn't a Fluke originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When Saquon Barkley crossed the 2,000-yard threshold in Week 16, he didn't just make history—he entered dangerous territory. Every single running back who has reached that milestone has seen their production crater the following season. It's become known as the 2K curse, and it's claimed some of the greatest backs in NFL history. Advertisement But there's something different about Barkley's situation that has league insiders optimistic about his chances to buck the trend. According to one NFL personnel director, Barkley's 2024 breakout wasn't actually a breakout at all—it was simply destiny finally meeting opportunity. "It was almost like this was expected—he was always expected to be this," the personnel director explained. "You can call it confirmation bias. Everybody thought he was a great player [at Penn State], and he proved what people thought he would be. It just took some peaks and valleys. And he was in a bad offense [in New York]." That perspective reframes what we witnessed in 2024. While most 2,000-yard seasons represent career peaks achieved through unsustainable circumstances, Barkley's achievement looks more like a player finally finding his natural habitat. The numbers support the theory—his 5.8 yards per carry wasn't the product of desperation attempts or inflated garbage-time stats. It was efficient, explosive football from a back operating in perfect harmony with his system. The curse has been so persistent because most 2K rushers push their bodies beyond reasonable limits to get there. They peak through volume, through playing hurt, through circumstances that simply can't be replicated. O.J. Simpson needed a 14-game sprint to reach 2,003 yards. Eric Dickerson required 379 carries to set his record. These weren't sustainable approaches—they were lightning in a bottle. Advertisement Barkley's path was different. He missed a game and still reached 2,005 yards. He did it behind an offensive line that's locked up for years, not a patchwork unit having a one-off season. Most tellingly, he accomplished the feat in his first year with the Philadelphia Eagles, suggesting there's more room to grow within the system rather than having maxed it out. The personnel director's second observation might be even more important for Barkley's 2025 outlook: 'He can go another few years with high-level play behind that [offensive] line.' That's not what you usually hear about a 28-year-old back coming off a 345-carry season. It's the assessment of someone who sees sustainable excellence, not borrowed time. The Eagles' investment backs up that confidence—they didn't hesitate to make Barkley the highest-paid running back in NFL history, averaging more than $20 million annually through 2026. That contract says everything about how Philadelphia views Barkley's trajectory. Organizations don't hand out record-breaking deals to players they expect to decline. They make those investments when they believe they're buying prime years—not rewarding past ones. Advertisement The infrastructure supporting Barkley sets him apart from previous 2K rushers in all the right ways. Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson aren't just playing well—they're locked in and entering their own primes. The offensive scheme doesn't ask Barkley to carry a dying offense; it asks him to thrive within a thriving one. Perhaps most importantly, Barkley brings something no other 2,000-yard rusher had: the experience of playing elite football in a dysfunctional environment. His six years in New York taught him how to create production despite systemic failure. Now, freed from that weight, the confidence in his long-term success makes more sense. The curse exists because most backs who reach 2,000 yards do so by exceeding their natural capabilities. Barkley might be the first to hit that number simply by meeting his. That distinction could be the difference between 2024 being a peak to fall from—or a plateau to build on. If the personnel director is right—and the Eagles' massive investment suggests they believe he is—then Barkley isn't just positioned to avoid the 2K curse. He might be the first player in NFL history to prove that 2,000 yards can be a starting point rather than a summit. Advertisement Related: Eagles 'Dream Team' QB Earns All-Time Worst Label Amid 'All-Quarter-Century' Rankings Related: Stephon Gilmore Could Be Tug-Of-War Signing For Cowboys vs. Eagles This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.

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