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Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg is on the cusp of what could be a huge season for him.
With a big year, the junior quarterback could set himself up to be a high pick in the 2016 NFL draft --- maybe even the top pick overall -- if he decides to leave early.
First, though, he has to go out and prove his sophomore slump was an aberration and prove the many draft prognosticators right in believing his 2014 struggles were more related to learning a new offense and getting inconsistent support from the players around him than a sign he was not the same player who was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2013.
When the Nittany Lions signal caller was asked Tuesday about feeling more comfortable in his second year in John Donovan's offense, he echoed statements head coach James Franklin has made during the offseason about why no one should be concerned about Hackenberg this year.
"Well, I don't necessarily think it's about me," Hackenberg told reporters in State College. "You know, I think that I have to hold my role and I have to do what I have to do within that unit to make sure that we're successful, but I think as a whole we've gotten so much more comfortable, and that's going to lead to success.
"You know, one player is not going to turn the tide for an entire offense in terms of being able to execute. You need 11 guys to execute at the same time for a play to be successful.
With returning starters at both wide receiver spots and four of five positions on the offensive line, Hackenberg has a lot more familiar faces than he did entering last season.
"I think that we've done a really good job of everyone being more comfortable with what we need to do, talking the same language, understanding how we want to attack teams, what we're good at," Hackenberg said. "And you know, I think that has been evident throughout this entire camp."
The junior is also looking forward to having new weapons at receiver to join holdovers DaeSean Hamilton and Geno Lewis.
Sophomore Chris Godwin, redshirt freshman DeAndre Thompkins and true freshmen Juwan Johnson and Brandon Polk were among those who caught the most eyeballs of those who cover the Nittany Lions regularly.
"I think they're stronger, faster, which is naturally going to happen in our strength and conditioning program," Hackenberg said. "But then I think the biggest thing is is they understand things more. Last year at times you could see as a whole we were just kind of going through the motions, whether it be, you know, drops on my part or, you know, certain depths with routes.
"You can see a more concise focus on those type of things, on the small details, and then the understanding of coverages and how to defeat coverages with certain routes and certain leverages and what you have to do. So I think the intricacies of the position is something that they've really dove into and they've worked hard on it this entire camp and even in spring. So I think those guys have just matured at a pretty amazing pace, and it's really good to see them work."
