Like you, Tommy Stevens isn’t sure who Tommy Stevens is going to be in 2018.
Will he be the talented back-up quarterback to a Heisman Trophy candidate?
Or will he be The Lion, a pass-catch-run triple-threat playing a potentially potent position concocted by head coach James Franklin?
A position at least in word, if not deed, if 2017 is any guide.
Or, will he fight to see the field again, as was the case last season, in part because he’s too valuable to risk injury when he’s just one play away from being the starting QB?
Memories play tricks. Stevens only touched the ball 53 times last season, and he had more than one touch or more than one yard in only five games out of 13.
In four games in 2017 — including three of the most crucial big-time contests, against Ohio State, Michigan State and Iowa, all road games — Stevens did not play a single down.
And in the Fiesta Bowl, after the Lion position was rolled out to great ballyhoo and featured Stevens as the only “Lion” on the depth chart as Ricky Rahne assumed the offensive reins — Stevens did not throw a pass. He did not run the ball. He did have three catches, for a grand total of minus one yard.
So, who will he be?
Forty-four months in his time in Happy Valley, even Stevens isn’t sure.
THE ANSWER THAT ISN’T
Witness Steven’s answers to two questions two weeks ago, prior to the Lift For Life. Steven was of two minds. Or was it three?
So, he was asked, is the Lion your position, or do you see yourself as a quarterback who does other stuff?
‘That’s a good question,’ Stevens answered. Then he nervously chuckled a bit.
‘…I think I’m on the roster as a Lion. I don’t exactly know what it means either. A quarterback who can do a lot of things is a good explanation.’
Then, a bit later, I asked him: What’s the scouting report on Tommy Stevens?
‘Shesh, I’m trying to figure it out, too,’ he answered, nervous chuckle again. ‘I’d like to know. If I were a defensive coordinator scouting against me, I guess I would say I’m a big strong kid who can run, catch and throw.’
In his career at Penn State, Stevens has run the ball 48 times, caught it 12 and thrown it 30.
Pressed to rank those skills in order, Stevens first passed — on the question. ‘I never really thought about it,’ he offered. Then he ran with it (the question, I mean):
“Well, first obviously I’m a quarterback,’ Stevens said. (You gotta love his word choice of obviously.) ‘So, I’m rating my passing skills as the best. Being a dual-threat quarterback, I would put running as my second. And catching the ball is my third, probably.’
SUMMER SCHOOL
To that end, Stevens is not just spending the summer throwing the football. He’s on the receiving end, too. By his own volition. As Stevens said, he’s not receiving specific marching orders on what the rank order of skills he’s supposed to be working on this summer.
‘In the summer, I’m out here catching — I’m catching balls on the JUGs’ receiving machine, he said. ‘Really doing whatever I can. It’s not anything anyone told me to do, I guess. I’m out here having fun doing football stuff. I do whatever I can.
‘For me, I’ve been working similar things to previous summers. I will continue to try to develop as a passer. Whether it’s being able to show it in games or I’m taking hand-offs, catching passes or whatever I’m doing, I’m going to try to do it to the best of my abilities.’
LION-SIZED HOLE
There are a couple of reasons that it is unlikely Stevens will be a DNP against the Buckeyes, Spartans, Hawkeyes and Hoosiers again in 2018. And Tommy knows it better than anyone.
The reasons are named Saquon Barkley, Mike Gesicki and DaeSean Hamilton. They’re gone and they took a whole bunch of yards and points with them. In 2017, that trio represented 57% of Penn State’s touchdowns, 57% of its rushing yards, 54% of its overall receptions and a similar 54% of its receiving yards.
“I think with the production that we lost from Saquon, Mike and DaeSean, I think somebody has to increase (their contributions) and take more of the reps,” Stevens said. “I’m expecting my role to increase, but within the restraints of the offense. However Coach Rahne and the offensive staff decide to use me I’m going to work as hard as I can and try to be successful in that role.”
Those are mighty big shoes to fill. Lucky for Penn State, Stevens has been growing into the role.
Stevens came to Penn State in January 2015 at 6-foot, 3-1/2 inches and 184 pounds, in what he admits was ‘the worst shape of my life’ after wisdom teeth surgery and battling a shoulder injury. Now, he stands 6-5 and weighs 240 pounds.
Tommy is a stud. Bigger than Kerry Collins, who is being inducted this fall into the College Football Hall of Fame; Collins was 6-5 and 235 in that magical 1994 season. Bigger than Christian Hackenberg, who was 6-4 and 233 in his third year as a PSU starter. Bigger than Todd Blackledge, who was 6-4 and 222 when he led Penn State to his first national championship.
In fact, these days Stevens is not too far off of Gesicki, the big man himself, who the folks at the 2018 NFL Combine had officially listed at 6-6 and 247 pounds.
‘Do you think I’m done growing?’ Stevens joked. ‘Maybe.”
Maybe…and maybe he wasn’t joking.
HEALTHY, GRATEFUL AND EXCITED
After missing spring drills — his fourth at PSU, considering he was an early enrollee — with his right foot in a boot, Stevens has pronounced himself 100% healthy and ready.
‘No restraints,’ he said. In mind or body.
‘This was spring big for me,” he shared. “It made me focus more of the mental aside of things, which helped. Anxious is a good word. Excited. Excited to get back and ready for camp. Just taking it day by day. Really just clicked for me how fast things can change. You can be going full speed, then all of a sudden — just like that — you’re sidelined for awhile. Taking it day by day and appreciating the little things — that’s probably what I learned the most.’
Big things are very likely coming Stevens’ away. But, barring an injury to Trace McSorley, they will not come in the passing game this year. That will have to wait.
“What do I expect from this year?” Stevens asked, repeating a question.
The Question, actually.
“It would be sweet to throw 10 touchdowns this year,’ he said. ‘But as far as realistic expectations, I’m not sure. But whatever is asked of me, I’ll give it 100% and try my best.”
