In an exciting new feature on the site I take a dive into whether a situation is FOR REAL or FOOLS GOLD. You’ll figure it out.
Big Ten running back success.
FOR REAL
Think about it. We all think the SEC is where all the talent is and that the Big Ten can’t hang overall in talent. But what about the RB success up north? It’s kind of astonishing, as many of the nation’s top running backs come from Big Ten teams. Braelon Allen at Wisconsin, Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum at Michigan, TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams at Ohio State, and Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen at Penn State are a few that come to mind. And this is with great backs like Mo Ibrahim at Minnesota and Chase Brown at Illinois departing for the NFL. The SEC may be where you win nattys, but give me the Big Ten for backs.
Hendon Hooker’s first round grade.
FOOLS GOLD
Hooker is a great story, don’t get me wrong. From Virginia Tech transfer to losing the starting job to Joe Milton to the amazing success the last two seasons, it’s fun to see. But watch the film. The progressions and vision you need to be an elite NFL QB aren’t there, and his success is largely because Josh Heupel schemes so well and the offense requires few decisions. If there is a system QB in this draft, it’s Hooker.
The breakout of Michael Penix Jr.
FOR REAL
Penix Jr. was good at Indiana, don’t get me wrong. But the passer we saw last season is unlike anything I saw in high school or in the Big Ten. To be honest, I didn’t think he had this in him. I am not a fan of lefty QBs at all for many reasons on the pro level, but in college, they can certainly be hard to handle, as we’ve seen from players like Tim Tebow to Matt Leinart to Tua Tagovailoa. Penix Jr. is next in line, and his 2023 season should be as amazing as his 4,600 yard, 31 TD performance in 2022.
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