Penn State quarterback Kevin Newsome was a hot topic at Penn State media day. Photo: Kevin McGuire
Sophomore quarterback Kevin Newsome was the player who attracted the most cameras and microphones on Thursday at Penn State's football media day at Beaver Stadium. And why not? Long thought to be the clear choice for starting quarterback after Daryll Clark graduated, Newsome has seemingly let the competition catch up to him to create a wide open battle royal for the starting job.
Does that bother Newsome? Perhaps not.
Newsome fielded many questions about the quarterback competition that has yet to truly show a leading candidate according to Joe Paterno and the coaching staff. When asked what quality would help make one quarterback stand out above the rest Newsome said in a reserved tone that confidence would be the key.
When asked if he felt he had an advantage in the quarterback competition based on his prior playing experience and extra reps in practices last season Newsome toed the company line b saying that he did not.
"Just keep your head high, keep working hard, all we can do is wait," Newsome said. "That's all we can do. We can't do nothing else but just wait until Coach Joe says so." Newsome said in a joking manner later that it was hard to sleep on some nights but reiterated the fact that it is a friendly competition between the four top candidates including himself, Matt McGloin, and freshmen Paul Jones and Robert Bolden.
The growing concern for many Penn State fans continues to be the quarterback position, the most important in the game of football. Once Clark left the program it was once expected that Newsome would take over this season, but what may be problematic is the clear uncertainty of the coaching staff whether or not Newsome will be the best candidate to fill Clark's shoes. Newsome was calm and laid back during the media day on the field at Beaver Stadium and gave a sense that everybody knows that the coaching staff will make the right decision.
Newsome said that he has talked with his predecessor, Clark, and former Nittany Lions quarterback Michael Robinson and noted that each are legends in the program. He knows it will be tough to take over the job, but he also said that it would be a terrific honor.
Quarterback Kevin Newsome could be the starting quarterback for Penn State.
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