Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State DC: Hackenberg 'right out of central casting'

Published Aug. 7, 2015 11:54 a.m. ET

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Marcus Hartman

Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg has been the subject of both high praise and hard questions this offseason. 

While multiple NFL draft analysts have pegged him as a potential first-round pick next spring (if he decides to skip his senior season), there has also been a backlash from others wondering just what the big deal is about a quarterback who threw more interceptions than touchdown passes as a sophomore in 2014. 

Penn State defensive coordinator John Shoop offered an answer to the critics during the team's media day Thursday. 

"Clearly he's right out of central casting," Shoop said of the 6-foot-4, 233-pound Hackenberg. "He's got all the dimensions, he's a great looking guy. As good a player as he is, he's an event better person, and I think that's what everybody feels about him. He's a special guy. He's the undisputed leader of the unit, and the relationship he and I have developed is kind of unique."

Shoop, who is entering his second season at Penn State, saw first hand what Hackenberg brings to the table the first time they shared a practice field. 

"I'll never forget the first spring practice we had in 2014 in Holuba, standing behind the secondary, which I've done for 25 years," Shoop said. "It's the place I station myself during practice, and watching the ball come out of his hand, and it was like nothing I'd ever seen before. The guy can make every throw." 

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