Why Penn State TE Pat Freiermuth is still focused on the Mackey Award, and other football updates
Penn State All-American Pat Freiermuth doesn’t want to let his dreams of winning the John Mackey Award go out of his sight.
He plastered pictures of the trophy on his wall. On the ceiling over his bed. And as his cellphone’s locked screen. He even showed reporters his phone Saturday to prove he wasn’t exaggerating about the award for the nation’s top tight end.
“I personally think I got snubbed from it last year,” Freiermuth said Saturday, during media availability after players hosted 35 Four Diamonds families at the Lasch Building. “Now I can say that since it’s the end of the season, but I’m going to work for it this year — and we’ll see.”
Freiermuth was widely regarded as one of the country’s top tight ends last season. He finished tied for the fourth-most receiving TDs at his position (7), and he was one of just 20 tight ends to finish with more than 500 receiving yards.
But he also did not make the list of eight semifinalists for the Mackey Award. “I really do question what they were looking at there,” quarterback Sean Clifford told reporters last fall, referring to the Mackey Award’s voting panel.
The 6-foot-5 tight end could’ve left early for the NFL draft. Instead, he decided to remain in Happy Valley with a new offensive coordinator, a tweaked system and some looming unknowns for 2020.
Historically, first-year offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca has not heavily involved the tight ends. But Freiermuth had to stifle a laugh while recalling how some fans tweeted at him, pointing that fact out, and asking him if he was nervous.
“I’m not nervous at all,” the rising junior said. “He told us in a team meeting that he’s going to give his playmakers the ball, and I’m pretty confident that I’m one of the best playmakers on the team. So I’m not worried about getting the ball.
“If he asks me to block 50 times a game, I’m completely fine with that. I just want the team to win. But I think I’m going to be fine with getting the ball.”
Freiermuth finished second on the team last year in both catches (43) and receiving yards (507). And the wideout who was first, KJ Hamler, is moving on to the NFL.
That means Freiermuth could be targeted more than ever and, so far, he’s been pleased with the direction of the offensive system. The biggest change, he said, is there are more formations now — designed that way so players are put in position to run the routes they’re best at.
So, if all goes according to plan, Freiermuth hopes he’s in for a memorable season, one where he won’t have to check his phone screen for a closer look at the Mackey.
“It’s just something, I guess, that goes back to hitting adversity a little bit,” Freiermuth said, when asked why the award is so important to him. “Just kind of being disappointed I wasn’t selected for it. But it’s motivation that there is more to improve.”
DT Mustipher adjusting to new coach
Defensive tackle PJ Mustipher acknowledged that he was caught off-guard by his defensive line coach bolting for the NFL. And he wasn’t the only one.
“We were all shocked,” he said, referring to Sean Spencer’s move to the NFL’s New York Giants. “We didn’t know. He brought us in and sat us down and told us. And we were all taken aback. We were like, wow, this guy who recruited us who we had such a great relationship with is leaving.
“But, at the same time, it’s an opportunity for him. We love him, so we want to see him do great things in the NFL. But, at the same time, we knew that we had to keep going.”
Mustipher said the position room was a bit emotional at first, and players took turns getting everything out in the open. Once that healing process started, it was on to another focus: Getting ready for 2020.
After all, Mustipher emphasized, expectations have not changed. Mustipher’s goal before was to be part of the nation’s best defensive line, and it’s the same now with first-year assistant coach John Scott Jr., who’s coming off a season with South Carolina.
Mustipher repeatedly referred to his new coach as a “technician.”
“The football doesn’t stop because Coach leaves,” the defensive tackle added. “We have to continue to build this thing, and I think Coach (James) Franklin brought in someone who’s able to do that in Coach Scott.”
WR Dotson stepping up
This is what wideout Jahan Dotson has been waiting for since he first arrived in Happy Valley.
With KJ Hamler heading to the NFL draft, Dotson is entering spring camp as the No. 1 wideout. “It’s the moment that you dream about,” Dotson said.
That means the quiet Dotson knows he needs to be a little more vocal, but he also doesn’t want to be someone he’s not. Instead, he’s trying to gently bring along the underclassmen.
He said true freshman Keandre Lambert is usually with him 85% of the day, taking notes and asking questions. Dotson said providing that tutelage is something he’s taking seriously.
And he’s doing it all with a new coach — his third receivers coach in as many seasons. Former coach Gerad Parker, who left to become West Virginia’s offensive coordinator, was replaced by former Purdue All-American Taylor Stubblefield this offseason.
“I was very surprised actually,” Dotson said about Parker’s departure. “But you can’t turn down that job. It’s a great job, the West Virginia job, so I’m happy for him. I can’t wait to see what he does.”
OL Fries learning new techniques
With four new assistant coaches this year — at OC (Kirk Ciarrocca), DL (John Scott Jr.), WR (Taylor Stubblefield) and OL (Phil Trautwein) — there’s a lot for even Penn State’s veterans to get used to.
But offensive tackle Will Fries, a rising redshirt senior, said he’s been excited by his new position coach so far.
“Just his level of detail,” Fries said. “Everything he does, there’s a how and a why. And, obviously, he has some NFL playing experience so he’s backed it up. We watched some old film of him and, watching those techniques and stuff, it’s pretty cool. Like I said, I’m excited.”
Trautwein is emphasizing some new offensive line techniques to the Nittany Lions. For one, Fries said, Trautwein is focusing on that initial punch from the start. Bring those hands back all the way, and then “blow that guy off the ball with that initial force,” Fries said.
Trautwein spent the last two seasons at Boston College and helped four players to all-conference honors in 2018. He also played for Florida before competing in the NFL from 2009-2012. He replaces Matt Limegrover, whose contract was not renewed after the season.
“With the new coaches coming, there’s still a lot of work to do,” Fries added, “but we’re excited about what’s been going on so far.”
This story was originally published February 25, 2020 at 5:30 PM.
