Trebor Pena transferring to PSU

[Dick_in_MI]

This was my impression immediately after the interview.

From what he said I think it was about the money, but just as much questioning the team's strategy with Ricky in the context of personal numbers. It's a team sport and there's no room for that in DART.

This all gets me thinking. What if….and I am making up a totally fictional example here because I’m sure we can all agree that something like this would NEVER happen at SU.

I wonder how Fran would react if a player…I dunno, let’s say a QB…came to him. And let’s say the player had, get this, a PowerPoint presentation outlining the problems in the program that the player felt were present. And then furthermore, the player outlined in the PowerPoint the changes he wanted Fran to make including which specific teammates he wanted tossed overboard. Maybe even include a few names of guys he knew that he wanted Fran to bring in.

I mean, this is DART as all get-out. To paraphrase Jeff Daniels, “ The DART abides.”

Certainly, Fran would love every aspect of this, right?……..

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Peña was a non factor until last year

Why can’t another on the receiver come out of no where just like he did?

Who says we don’t have another player like him? The roster also isn’t finalized so who knows who’s in the slot come August

He was more of an extended RB than a slot WR, like Erv was. We don't have a guy like that. So whoever replaces him in the lineup will be a different type of player and used differently.

Not all slots are alike. Some are good, some stink. Some are big, some are small. Some run slants, some run curls. Some are used short, some go deep, some like the circle route. Some are tough, some are softer. They are all different.

 

[Trueblue25]

This is not coming from a bitter place and I invite someone to challenge me.

I’d list our receiving threats that opponents had to game plan around last year as below:

- Gadsden (was doubled and schemed-to nearly every game he played in 2024)

- Allen (our most dynamic skills player)

- Meeks (became Kyle’s favorite target as the year matured, culminating in the dominant NCSU performance)

- Pena (I’ll never take the Miami game away from him, he was fantastic)

- Gill

- Hatcher


Pena’s a receiving talent that we’re inarguably lesser for losing. That said - I’m confident in this staffs game planning and development skills to take receivers with better tools like Gill, JRS, Hatcher and Ross and make up for the lost prediction as much as can be reasonably expected given all we’ve now lost year over year.

 

[OttosShoes]

This all gets me thinking. What if….and I am making up a totally fictional example here because I’m sure we can all agree that something like this would NEVER happen at SU.

I wonder how Fran would react if a player…I dunno, let’s say a QB…came to him. And let’s say the player had, get this, a PowerPoint presentation outlining the problems in the program that the player felt were present. And then furthermore, the player outlined in the PowerPoint the changes he wanted Fran to make including which specific teammates he wanted tossed overboard. Maybe even include a few names of guys he knew that he wanted Fran to bring in.

I mean, this is DART as all get-out. To paraphrase Jeff Daniels, “ The DART abides.”

Certainly, Fran would love every aspect of this, right?……..

There's a huge difference between the most important player providing invited feedback to the coach about the team at large, and a role player providing unsolicited feedback as it relates to personal numbers in a negotiation on a done deal.

It's like when a Karen on a plane tells you that you might've done a better job packing your bag because she wants your overhead bin space. Selfish feedback you didn't ask for is not DART.

 

[Nahson]

Peña was a non factor until last year

Why can’t another on the receiver come out of no where just like he did?

Who says we don’t have another player like him? The roster also isn’t finalized so who knows who’s in the slot come August

They can. People are overreating. Peña’s good but let’s not pretend he didn’t have an NFL caliber QB chucking it up 60 times a game in college footballs number 1 passing offense. If we had a bunch of Sling blade looking, uncoordinated, mouth breathers behind him I’d be worried. But we don’t. We’re good. Lot of skill in that room. Nixon runs a great offense. The only thing to worry about is Collins but Fran seems confident in him and none of us know anything aside from that sooo… who knows.

Also if you’re a grown man on twitter talking crazy about these guys and arguing with former players, walk into the other room, tell your significant other you love them, and go for a walk because you’ve been neglecting real life for so long that you’ve turned into a weird troll. It’s sad.

 

[hoopsupstate]

I was not impressed with Penn State‘s quarterbacks ability to throw in tight spaces. Pena will not have the same kind of year there as he might have at SU. Plus, Franklin goes into a shell when he faces good teams.

 

[hoopsupstate]

They can. People are overreating. Peña’s good but let’s not pretend he didn’t have an NFL caliber QB chucking it up 60 times a game in college footballs number 1 passing offense. If we had a bunch of Sling blade looking, uncoordinated, mouth breathers behind him I’d be worried. But we don’t. We’re good. Lot of skill in that room. Nixon runs a great offense. The only thing to worry about is Collins but Fran seems confident in him and none of us know anything aside from that sooo… who knows.

Also if you’re a grown man on twitter talking crazy about these guys and arguing with former players, walk into the other room, tell your significant other you love them, and go for a walk because you’ve been neglecting real life for so long that you’ve turned into a weird troll. It’s sad.

Penn State will be lucky to throw 25-30 times a games. Pena will have half as many catches next year.

 

[baggerbob]

This is not coming from a bitter place and I invite someone to challenge me.

I’d list our receiving threats that opponents had to game plan around last year as below:

- Gadsden (was doubled and schemed-to nearly every game he played in 2024)

- Allen (our most dynamic skills player)

- Meeks (became Kyle’s favorite target as the year matured, culminating in the dominant NCSU performance)

- Pena (I’ll never take the Miami game away from him, he was fantastic)

- Gill

- Hatcher


Pena’s a receiving talent that we’re inarguably lesser for losing. That said - I’m confident in this staffs game planning and development skills to take receivers with better tools like Gill, JRS, Hatcher and Ross and make up for the lost prediction as much as can be reasonably expected given all we’ve now lost year over year.

We have a number of young talented running backs who will get a chance to play.
For all the yards we got last year, we didn't score very well.
Nixon will have a better balance between passing and running, which should allow us to score more points.

 

[DoctahLexus]

Hate when the anger at the transfer turns to "he is not good actually" talk. He is extremely good! That is why top schools are trying to pay him big money. That is why people are mad he is leaving in the first place lol

 

[David321]

Hate when the anger at the transfer turns to "he is not good actually" talk. He is extremely good! That is why top schools are trying to pay him big money. That is why people are mad he is leaving in the first place lol

Everyone knows how talented he is, but it's now being weighed relatively speaking; is a 5'9" slot receiver who is depending on his McCord numbers last year good enough to be demanding $2M (if that part is true)?

 

[JRHEETER]

Hate when the anger at the transfer turns to "he is not good actually" talk. He is extremely good! That is why top schools are trying to pay him big money. That is why people are mad he is leaving in the first place lol

I dont think anyone thinks Pena is not good..

I think its that Pena isnt worth 2 million and we should not build a whole team around him.

Valuable, yes.

Irreplaceable? no.

 

[anomander]

Cant get anymore disgusting than Penn St or Miami. I could be wrong but when is the last time a Penn St had a slot WR who put up big numbers? Guarantee he won’t get more money either. He’s just going because he thinks they’re upgrades with Allar or Beck.

 

[Nahson]

This is not coming from a bitter place and I invite someone to challenge me.

I’d list our receiving threats that opponents had to game plan around last year as below:

- Gadsden (was doubled and schemed-to nearly every game he played in 2024)

- Allen (our most dynamic skills player)

- Meeks (became Kyle’s favorite target as the year matured, culminating in the dominant NCSU performance)

- Pena (I’ll never take the Miami game away from him, he was fantastic)

- Gill

- Hatcher


Pena’s a receiving talent that we’re inarguably lesser for losing. That said - I’m confident in this staffs game planning and development skills to take receivers with better tools like Gill, JRS, Hatcher and Ross and make up for the lost prediction as much as can be reasonably expected given all we’ve now lost year over year.

To me, Peña’s biggest attribute last year was his ability to be reliably consistent in clutch moments. That’s tough to replace but we will see who steps up. With that said, Tyshawn Russell is basically the same type of player? Looking at measurements and resume (prior to Peña’s last year) they’re very similar.

 

[orangefog]

Cant get anymore disgusting than Penn St or Miami. I could be wrong but when is the last time a Penn St had a slot WR who put up big numbers? Guarantee he won’t get more money either. He’s just going because he thinks they’re upgrades with Allar or Beck.

There is one other reason a guy would want to go to Ped State, I hope that isn't Trebor's thing.

 

[Trueblue25]

Hate when the anger at the transfer turns to "he is not good actually" talk. He is extremely good! That is why top schools are trying to pay him big money. That is why people are mad he is leaving in the first place lol

Havent noticed anyone say he’s not good. He’s just not worth what he’s decided he’s worth. Not nearly. You’re going to see fan resentment rise though when Trebor tries to cover his tracks by casting doubt on his qb on the way out.

 

[PeteCalvin]

Cant get anymore disgusting than Penn St or Miami. I could be wrong but when is the last time a Penn St had a slot WR who put up big numbers? Guarantee he won’t get more money either. He’s just going because he thinks they’re upgrades with Allar or Beck.

Ped State’s offense is about RB’s and TE’s. Pena will be a third wheel. Head scratcher.

 

[RedtheGOB]

This is not coming from a bitter place and I invite someone to challenge me.

I’d list our receiving threats that opponents had to game plan around last year as below:

- Gadsden (was doubled and schemed-to nearly every game he played in 2024)

- Allen (our most dynamic skills player)

- Meeks (became Kyle’s favorite target as the year matured, culminating in the dominant NCSU performance)

- Pena (I’ll never take the Miami game away from him, he was fantastic)

- Gill

- Hatcher


Pena’s a receiving talent that we’re inarguably lesser for losing. That said - I’m confident in this staffs game planning and development skills to take receivers with better tools like Gill, JRS, Hatcher and Ross and make up for the lost prediction as much as can be reasonably expected given all we’ve now lost year over year.

This needs to be pinned to the top of the thread. No Coach ever has said I need to build my offense around the SLOT Receiver. Ideally next year he would've opened the playbook up a little for us but not to the extent that you build an entire offensive playbook and roster around him.

 

[23Zone]

Wonder who will field punts. Last year it was Pena and Laquint. Need some sticky fingers and smart decision maker back there

 

[orangenauburn]

Wonder who will field punts. Last year it was Pena and Laquint. Need some sticky fingers and smart decision maker back there

My guess is Gill

 

[cusefan88]

Wonder who will field punts. Last year it was Pena and Laquint. Need some sticky fingers and smart decision maker back there

I could see Gill, Ross, Malachi James, or perhaps Jameer Thomas back there.

 

[Sdot]

Wonder who will field punts. Last year it was Pena and Laquint. Need some sticky fingers and smart decision maker back there

Darius Johnson was second string punt returner.

 

[hoopsupstate]

To me, Peña’s biggest attribute last year was his ability to be reliably consistent in clutch moments. That’s tough to replace but we will see who steps up. With that said, Tyshawn Russell is basically the same type of player? Looking at measurements and resume (prior to Peña’s last year) they’re very similar.

He might be a bad example. The first two throws to him last Saturday were 50/50 balls and he didn’t catch either one. Pena didn’t drop those passes.

 

[OttosShoes]

Don't forget about the defense. I could really see Kerr returning punts. Dude is super athletic and had a big return against Holy Cross last year.

 

[rocklloyd]

Don't forget about the defense. I could really see Kerr returning punts. Dude is super athletic and had a big return against Holy Cross last year.

is that ”e” or “o”. This is going to be confusing for me until season starts

 

[bigmike]

This all gets me thinking. What if….and I am making up a totally fictional example here because I’m sure we can all agree that something like this would NEVER happen at SU.

I wonder how Fran would react if a player…I dunno, let’s say a QB…came to him. And let’s say the player had, get this, a PowerPoint presentation outlining the problems in the program that the player felt were present. And then furthermore, the player outlined in the PowerPoint the changes he wanted Fran to make including which specific teammates he wanted tossed overboard. Maybe even include a few names of guys he knew that he wanted Fran to bring in.

I mean, this is DART as all get-out. To paraphrase Jeff Daniels, “ The DART abides.”

Certainly, Fran would love every aspect of this, right?……..

Seems like we are certainly on that path.