Transfer Portal: Who do we need to target this offseason?

[alagold]

A Penn State Football 'Freak' Enters the Transfer Portal

Penn State defensive lineman Jordan van den Berg, who was on Bruce Feldman's 'Freaks List' in 2023, has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.

www.si.com

“Athletic freak” that is a converted WR that now weighs 302 lbs, squats 615 x4, and runs a 4.7 40?

Did he get hurt last yr?.For the background he didn't show a huge amount of stats.Certainly glad to have him.Hope he is ready to play.

 

[thecrowdedbooth]

Interview with the new GT commit here: Van den Berg Interview

 

[forensicbuzz]

Interesting. Planning to enroll in the MBA program. There aren't many spots offered to people straight out of a bachelor's degree, even if they're a highly valuable current player with eligibility left.

 

[Jacket05]

Interview with the new GT commit here: Van den Berg Interview

Nearly had a heart attack when I finished reading the article and saw the top headline below stating Leo Blackburn suffers knee injury and likely out for the year! I couldn't believe it happened again!

Then realized it was from last year.

 

[TampaBuzz]

Nearly had a heart attack when I finished reading the article and saw the top headline below stating Leo Blackburn suffers knee injury and likely out for the year! I couldn't believe it happened again!

Then realized it was from last year.

me too!

 

[iceeater1969]

Did he get hurt last yr?.For the background he didn't show a huge amount of stats.Certainly glad to have him.Hope he is ready to play.

Good point - but we get him get him for 2 years. Z white was a freak that took an extra year. Hope he and the guys we have this year are ready , but i really hope they bail-out in 25.
25 will tell a lot about direction CFB alignment, so lets be rocking at bds.
His recruitment screams COME HOME TO ATL.

 

[kg01]

Nearly had a heart attack when I finished reading the article and saw the top headline below stating Leo Blackburn suffers knee injury and likely out for the year! I couldn't believe it happened again!

Then realized it was from last year.

Reading your post was like watching a scary movie and still being frightened, even though you know they lived in the end.

 

[Flajacket]

Nearly had a heart attack when I finished reading the article and saw the top headline below stating Leo Blackburn suffers knee injury and likely out for the year! I couldn't believe it happened again!

Then realized it was from last year.

I had the same reaction.

 

[Suavehouse]

Former Yellow jacket LB DKnight#17 ranked #3 returning LB in SEC. Go Gamecocks and GO JACKEST!! Looking forward to Tech continuing its Winning ways.

 

[TampaBuzz]

Former Yellow jacket LB DKnight#17 ranked #3 returning LB in SEC. Go Gamecocks and GO JACKEST!! Looking forward to Tech continuing its Winning ways.

Good for him...this is why our former coaches are former!

 

[danny daniel]

LB, DL depth, and DE to start. May need a stopgap TE as well.

If we can’t stop the run we will not improve by much next year.

DT is a major need as we only have Lockett proven and counting on Van Den Berg. Marshall is unknown and depends on how much he plays as true F. Jones RSo unproven, Cullins a true F, and Adams a walkon may be some help in depth. We lose two LBs in 2025 with 3 returning, Lightsey, Butler, and Efford. We will need a LB. SDE we only have ? Sylvain and Ribbinson are gone, leaving?? maybe LLOH or Boyd? This may be a big need. We have 7 TEs on the 2025 roster and one walk-on. Light on experience but long on numbers and talent. We need a couple of the high potential young TEs to see some game action in 2024. We could use a Rutherford replacement maybe but I like Stockton and Singleton in the slot if needed.

 

[jojatk]

Former Yellow jacket LB DKnight#17 ranked #3 returning LB in SEC. Go Gamecocks and GO JACKEST!! Looking forward to Tech continuing its Winning ways.

This is awesome!!! Hoping to see him finish the season rated even higher and that his team has a terrific season!!!

 

[Kmag]

DT is a major need as we only have Lockett proven and counting on Van Den Berg. Marshall is unknown and depends on how much he plays as true F. Jones RSo unproven, Cullins a true F, and Adams a walkon may be some help in depth. We lose two LBs in 2025 with 3 returning, Lightsey, Butler, and Efford. We will need a LB. SDE we only have ? Sylvain and Ribbinson are gone, leaving?? maybe LLOH or Boyd? This may be a big need. We have 7 TEs on the 2025 roster and one walk-on. Light on experience but long on numbers and talent. We need a couple of the high potential young TEs to see some game action in 2024. We could use a Rutherford replacement maybe but I like Stockton and Singleton in the slot if needed.

I think you are leaving out a pretty big name in Zeek Biggers. I’d love more proven depth, but starting DT is actually pretty strong bunch.

 

[Southern psu fan]

DT is a major need as we only have Lockett proven and counting on Van Den Berg. Marshall is unknown and depends on how much he plays as true F. Jones RSo unproven, Cullins a true F, and Adams a walkon may be some help in depth. We lose two LBs in 2025 with 3 returning, Lightsey, Butler, and Efford. We will need a LB. SDE we only have ? Sylvain and Ribbinson are gone, leaving?? maybe LLOH or Boyd? This may be a big need. We have 7 TEs on the 2025 roster and one walk-on. Light on experience but long on numbers and talent. We need a couple of the high potential young TEs to see some game action in 2024. We could use a Rutherford replacement maybe but I like Stockton and Singleton in the slot if needed.

Van Den Berg was never considered our best DT and DT and DE is where Penn St was sending dudes to the NFL and when Van Den Berg was on the field which was a good bit there wasn’t much of a drop off this dude makes plays and makes things happen. My son who is also a Penn St fan said Ga Tech picked up a few more wins getting Van Den Berg and I agree with him. I hated losing this kid at Penn St but landing him at Ga Tech puts a smile on my face. Oh yeah this dude is a hard rugged player and he’s dam hard to block there’s no taking plays off when he’s on the field.

 

[Southern psu fan]

Van den Berg is strong. Like, really really strong. Strong enough to where the Athletic’s Bruce Feldman feels there are only 14 players in college football that fit the “freak” definition more than he does.

For an athlete, to be called a “freak” is a compliment, just so we’re clear.

I copied this off a Penn St article about the kid.

 

[apatriot1776]

I think you are leaving out a pretty big name in Zeek Biggers. I’d love more proven depth, but starting DT is actually pretty strong bunch.

Think that list was for 2025 after Biggers and Gore (the Miami transfer) graduate.

 

[Ramble1885]

I know I’m extremely late to this thread but I think it’s obvious what‘s needed. Anything on the defense. Especially DL. Offense will be fine bc we kept the vast majority of our pieces on that side of the ball.

 

[danny daniel]

I think you are leaving out a pretty big name in Zeek Biggers. I’d love more proven depth, but starting DT is actually pretty strong bunch.

We were discussing 2025 roster which will not have Biggers.

 

[UgaBlows]

We were discussing 2025 roster which will not have Biggers.

Lockett (6’6” 341) will be a Junior next season and hopefully primed to step into Bigger’s role

 

[g0lftime]

Lockett (6’6” 341) will be a Junior next season and hopefully primed to step into Bigger’s role

I would expect to see them both on short yardage situations and lots of rotation to keep them as fresh as possible. Those are two big men.