Limegrover updates development of PSU's freshman OL

It’s a slightly different approach than what Penn State has taken in previous years.

Instead of its offensive linemen practicing at two or three different positions throughout a season – a cross-train method used largely due to the lack of veterans on the depth chart – new coach Matt Limegrover wants his athletes finding their best spot and sticking with it.

“I’m not as big of a fan of (cross training),” Limegrover said before the first day of preseason practice. “Personally, I’d like to get a guy set and to get five (starters) and have those guys. When we get to about a week before Kent State I want to say, OK these are the five guys. But right now there are probably nine or 10 guys who have an opportunity to be be in the mix. I told them all, I love you all, but the best five are going to play.”

A couple of true freshman are included in that group, one of whom is January enrollee Connor McGovern. And with a freshman like McGovern comes an exception to the cross-train rule. Recruited to Penn State from Lake Lehman (Pa.) as a center, the 6-foot-5, 310-pound McGovern offers a size and skill set combination that can be utilized at almost any position across the line.

“As was documented in the spring, we tried him at a few different spots and that was by design to get an idea of where he fit,” Limegrover said. “If he was a guy that was going to have the ability to help us early, what could he do for us? He’s a guy who brings a lot of versatility, but we're going to play him at center and have him go there. The nice thing was that, even though it was a little bit of trial by fire (in the spring), he’s a guy, who I know if we need to, he has the mental makeup and maturity, even though he’s a young guy, to be able to jump in there and do a number of different things.”

McGovern is joined by classmate Michal Menet as true freshman OL who could possibly break the mold and push for playing time in their first season. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, versatility and the ability to play a couple different positions sometimes plays as much of a part for early playing time as size, strength and IQ.

Menet, who at 6-4, 296, is listed on the roster as a guard, has the ability to play other positions as well. Currently, the staff projects his growth best in the interior of the OL.

Will Fries (6-6/295) and Alex Gellerstedt (6-6/297) both seem likely to stay at OT for their PSU careers. They also appear poised for a redshirt in 2016, but to Limegrover that doesn’t diminish their contributions for this year or cast any doubt on their potential. A few options exist for PSU at OT, so Fries and Gellerstedt, maybe McGovern and Menet too, can take a year to transition, because ultimately Limegrover believes that they will make an impact.

“I’ve got to give the staff credit, because it’s as good of a freshman recruiting class on the offensive line that you’ll see anywhere,” Limegrover said. “Anybody touting their 2016 offensive linemen, I’ll put that group of four up against any of them. Connor, Will Fries, obviously Michal Menet and Alex Gellerstsedt.

“It’s a group of guys who aren’t all exactly at the same spot developmentally. Connor helped himself because physically he’s ahead of schedule. And he came early so he’s kind of a veteran now, believe it or not, from a standpoint that he knows what to expect. He knows how we’re going to practice. Alex is a little more developmental because he’s got some weight to put on, but he’s doing a great job. He was here (in January). Then Michal and Will, there’s going to be some newness for those guys because it’s going to be their fist time going through practice, (adjusting to) the tempo, what we’re looking for, but those guys physically have done a great job prior to even getting here. So I’m excited about that group.”

In its Class of 2017, Penn State is set to sign another group of four OL.

CJ Thorpe of Pittsburgh; Michael Miranda of Stow, Ohio; Robert Martin of Montvale, N.J.; and Desmond Holmes of Springfield, Pa., have already given the Nittany Lions their verbal commitment.