Penn State football offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich discusses replacing Dotson, his linemen and more
Penn State’s offense struggled mightily in 2021 compared to the standard the program has become used to in recent years. It didn’t run the ball well, it didn’t score enough points against good teams and it fell apart for extended stretches this season.
But even when things went wrong, the unit at least had star receiver Jahan Dotson to save the day. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich could scheme up whatever he needed to, knowing he could trust the senior wide out to go make a play.
Now Yurcich must prepare his offense for the first time at Penn State without Dotson, who opted out of the Outback Bowl against No. 21 Arkansas and declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Yurcich said Thursday following Penn State’s practice in Tampa that the remaining receivers have shown an increased level of confidence leading up to the game.
“It’s been great energy in that room, I’ll tell ya, and that’s where it’s got to start for us, with the mindset,” Yurcich said. “You’re starting to see a little more confidence. I think those guys have a really optimistic attitude and are stepping up and really competing hard in practices. I’m looking forward to seeing how they compete in the game.”
One of the most likely players to step up is sophomore wide receiver Parker Washington, who finished second on the team in receptions (57), receiving yards (722) and touchdowns (4), trailing only Dotson in all three categories.
He and fellow sophomore KeAndre Lambert-Smith have stepped up in practice, according to Yurcich, and have led by example prior to the game.
“I think those guys are doing a great job of really staying true to who they are,” Yurcich said. “I think some of the worst things you can do as a player is try to be something that you’re not. You feel a little bit of extra pressure then you maybe may something where it’s just not natural. Those guys are natural. They’re who they are. They feel comfortable in their own skin. ... I think the vocal thing will continue to come.”
Redshirt senior starting quarterback Sean Clifford also took note of how Lambert-Smith and Washington have begun to step up.
Both are in their second years on campus but have made enough progress to guide the players younger than them without Dotson.
“I think they’ve done a really good job,” Clifford said. “Parker and KeAndre, leading the way a little bit, showing the young guys what it’s like. They’re still technically young but they had to grow up a little bit extra. I think they’ve done a really good job all season. Now they kinda have gotta be that voice in the room.”
While Washington and Lambert-Smith will have to increase their production, somebody will also have to increase their playing time. Dotson was rarely off the field for Penn State this season and that leaves a full game’s worth of wide receiver snaps available for the taking.
There are plenty of scholarship wide receivers who could step into the role, but two stand out as potential replacements. Redshirt senior Cam Sullivan-Brown has played plenty of snaps this season and brings the type of experience Dotson did, even without the production.
Redshirt freshman Malick Meiga could also take up some of the snaps if the team wants to turn the page forward more to 2022 when he could have a larger role.
Meiga is a player Yurcich said he enjoyed being around and coaching because of his attitude.
“He’s been solid,” Yurcich said. “He’s executed in games and he’s done the same in practice. You’re gonna continue to see him get better and better with each rep. Malick is one of those guys that just has a really good attitude about life and about football. He’s a pleasure to be around and a pleasure to coach. Really looking forward to see how he performs, as well.”
Replacing leadership void on defense
Penn State’s defense will be without some of its best players defensively in Saturday’s game, too, with senior leaders Arnold Ebiketie and Jaquan Brisker both sitting out to prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Ebiketie and Brisker were arguably the team’s best defenders in 2021 and Brisker took a large step forward to become one of the vocal leaders in the unit.
Redshirt sophomore cornerback Daequan Hardy said plenty of the team’s other leaders have stepped up to fill that void, while the young players are utilizing the opportunity to show they can play at a high level.
“We’ve still got guys like Jesse (Luketa), Curtis (Jacobs) and Nick Tarburton, so we’ve still got other guys on the defense who still take that leadership role,” Hardy said. “It’s a little drop off but not a major one. ... We’ve been trying to get the young guys as much reps as possible and just get back to the basics.”
Redshirt junior defensive end Nick Tarburton said much of the same about Ebiketie’s absence. The redshirt senior had only been a part of the room for a year, but made a big impact on the field for the Nittany Lions.
Now it’s time for the younger players to step up and help replace him, and time for Tarburton to step into an even bigger leadership role, something he said he’s ready to do.
“I think (my leadership has grown) a little bit,” Tarburton said. “I think it has to. A guy like (Ebiketie) is a special player. .. Getting these younger guys ready, it’s been fun watching these guys grow.”
Quick hitters
- Hardy said he’s been practicing with the safeties and the corners leading up to the game. He expects to play both the nickel and some safety Saturday against Arkansas, with the potential for a long-term switch.
- Yurcich said OT Olu Fashanu has all the strength and the world, adding that he needs to feed off confidence and trust himself in the game Saturday.
- Sophomore linebacker Curtis Jacobs said new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz “drops some gems” on the defense about playing on that side of the ball, while Hardy added that he hasn’t been overly involved with the group just yet.
