Penn State will have a new starting quarterback for the first time in three years, naming Chase McSorely as the starter for the 2016-17 season.
One week away from their season opener, the Penn State Nittany Lions have named Chase McSorely as their starting quarterback. Head coach James Franklin broke the news to the media after practice this afternoon. McSorely, a redshirt sophomore, had been competing for the job with redshirt sophomore Tommy Stevens.
The Lions will have a new quarterback for the first time in three years, after the departure of Christian Hackenberg to the NFL. The second round pick of the New York Jets threw for 8,318 yards and 48 touchdowns in 37 career games.
McSorely played sparingly in 2015, but got significant run in the Lions’ loss to Georgia in the Taxslayer Bowl. He completed 14 of 27 passes for 142 yards and two scores after Hackenberg left the game.
Overall, McSorely notched 20 completions last year, good for 185 yards and two scores. He also brings a reputation as a dual threat. McSorely’s mobility could help the Lions overcome a thin offensive line, as Hackenberg struggled at times to handle the oncoming rush.
McSorely had initially committed to Vanderbilt before Franklin left for Penn State. Coming out of high school, he was rated the No. 15 dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2014.
The six-foot McSorely led Briar Woods Virginia to a 55-5 record and three state titles while throwing for over 12,000 yards in four years.
Next: 50 Greatest College Football Programs Of All-Time
Penn State is coming off a 7-6 season, and are only 29-21 over the past four seasons. The sanctions after the Jerry Sandusky scandal are beginning to ease. With a new quarterback at the helm, Franklin’s Lions will look to climb back into contention for a Big Ten title in 2016. Their season opener is next weekend against Kent State.