Onward State: Penn State Football Goes Hard in the Weight Room

Footballs can not officially be thrown, caught, or carried for three more weeks until spring practice gets underway, but the Nittany Lions have turned up the intensity in the weight room while they wait to hit the practice fields on March 18.

Yesterday, GoPSUSports posted a video called “Max Out Day” featuring 6-3 324 lb. senior defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, 6-3 307 lb. senior guard John Urschel, and 6-5 316 lb. sophomore tackle Donovan Smith each bench pressing more than 400 lbs. as Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” blares in the background and teammates sporting “Iron Lion” shirts cheer them on.

All three players will have key roles during the 2013 season with Jones needing to fill a void left by Jordan Hill on the defensive line and Urschel and Smith blocking for an inexperienced quarterback.

A few weeks ago, Urschel had glowing words about his fellow offensive lineman, calling Smith the “best physical lineman I’ve ever seen,” which says a lot considering Stefen Wisniewski, a starter on the Oakland Raiders’ offensive line, is a former teammate of Urschel’s.

“Me and [Donovan] have a very close relationship. He’s in the weight room trying to get better, and with all that talent, the sky’s the limit for him,” said Urschel.

The best part of the 48-second video comes between the 20-25 second mark watching strength and conditioning coach Craig Fitzgerald’s face as Smith completes the lift.

Sadly, Fitzgerald did not hop on the bench and attempt to show his players up by doing more reps.

IMAGE Mitchell Wilston