Case Alexander

And I think that, you know, I said this on the board, he I think he would have committed to Wisconsin over the weekend, even if they had lost to USC or not done what they did against USC.

So I think that there is an element of the inevitable in that one, which which, again, it stings because it leaves you in a situation in late October where you're trying to find a linebacker to pair with Case Alexander.

Case Alexander's from Oklahoma.

So that's a that's a long way away.

And you're reeling right now.

Yes and no.

I mean, I think I said at the time I would have offered him, especially with the way things were kind of trending at that point with Case Alexander.

But I also understand why they didn't because...

if you offered that kid and made a push for that kid, then that would kind of alienate Alexander and make it clear to him that, okay, there's just not really a spot for him at Oklahoma anymore.

And they really did want Case Alexander.

They pushed hard to try and make that happen.

And I halfway wonder, I only halfway wonder, to be clear, but I do halfway wonder if Penn State continues to struggle as much as they're struggling, does that conversation maybe reintensify in like a late November between OU and Alexander.

These were the guys that they prioritized and said, hey, these are going to be the faces of our defense here.

Case Alexander is the lone linebacker commit, and gosh, Penn State better keep him in this class.

He's really darn good, and he's your only linebacker prospect at this point.

And they essentially went all in with Alexander and Blake Benton.

No.

And as good as case Alexander is in that 27 class, I mean, that's why this is so important to go out and get a second backer before the signing period arrives, or maybe even after as well, you know, you still have until February.

I know cream of the crop is gone at that point in many cases, but you still have a little bit of time and, The portal, yes, as you said, it's going to be a short-term band-aid fix to it.

But long-term, that's why you're going to see in 2028 it's going to be a multi-linebacker class.

You had guys like Terry Wiggins who were going to be part of this linebacker room long-term.

Obviously, they're off elsewhere now, and you're building from a different place.

As good as Case Alexander is, and I think he's going to be an impact guy for Penn State.

We'll talk about him a little bit more later.

They land this commitment from Jordan hall, but at the same time, You're going to lose one of your more important prospects committed in the class of 2027 where you need linebackers.

You're going to be down to one in Case Alexander.

Losing Blake Benton is not ideal whatsoever.

This isn't one that I say, ah, okay, Penn State will be just fine.

I think they explore regardless, but if you lose Benton, then the sense of urgency to get another guy, a linebacker, definitely ratchets up because you'd only have one in the class if Benton decides to decommit.

It'd be Case Alexander, who's a very good player.

It has nothing to do with him, but you just want multiple backers in this class.

And if you don't wind up with multiple backers in this class, you could add that to the list of things in the portal that you're going to have to address.