Former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg experienced a pretty scary change after his freshman season with the Nittany Lions. He had a pretty amazing showing that year as he threw for 2,955 yards and 20 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
Then, former head coach Bill O’Brien left for the NFL and James Franklin came in, inheriting a terrific quarterback that looked like a future number one pick in the NFL Draft. He fell off the last two seasons, throwing for 5,502 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions, while leading the team to back-to-back 7-6 years.
Hackenberg is in Indianapolis for the the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend and on Thursday, he answered questions about the last two seasons and Franklin, specifically mentioning why Franklin wasn’t in his initial thank you speech at the end of the year.
Christian Hackenberg on past 2 YRs: "We had a lot of issues w the sanctions, depth issues..I think we overachieved given the circumstances."
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 25, 2016
Hackenberg said he personally thanked James Franklin & Franklin wasn't in initial statement b/c he focused on those who brought him to PSU
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) February 25, 2016
Many see Hackenberg as a second or third round pick right now after he was projected to be the number one quarterback in the Draft ahead of the 2015 college football season.
Many also believe that Hackenberg could be drafted by the Houston Texans, who are coached by O’Brien and are in desperate need of a quarterback.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports