Penn State Football: 5 breakout freshmen to watch in 2018
By Zach Bigalke
Two-year starter Tyler Davis graduated, leaving the placekicking position open this season. Redshirt freshman Carson Landis and junior Blake Gillikin will probably enter the upcoming season in the first and second spots on the depth chart. But Gillikin is already taking care of the punting duties, which he will likely do again in 2018.
Incoming freshman Jake Pinegar, one of the top half-dozen Class of 2018 kickers in the country, arrives on campus this summer. Once he gets to Happy Valley, Pinegar could quickly supplant Gillikin and Landis on the depth chart.
At the very least, Pinegar will enjoy some kickoff duties in his first season of college. He has at least 65 to 70 yards of range in his leg as an incoming freshman. Pinegar isn’t perfectly accurate, but he is solid from well outside 40 yards.
In Pinegar, Franklin and the special teams staff has a prospect that could provide four solid years of dependable service at a critical position. Pinegar’s leg could make the difference between victory and defeat in several games this season. Look for the freshman to lock down the full-time kicking duties at some point this year.