Backup quarterback Beau Pribula has turned heads in limited action so far this season, showcasing a running ability not unlike former quarterback Trace McSorley and a speed that certainly makes him more mobile than starting quarterback Drew Allar. In turn, head coach James Franklin has continued an ongoing early season narrative that Pribula might have a place in Penn State’s offense as the season goes along.
“Beau coming in and showing he’s able to move the offense as well and make plays and do it in a different way,” Franklin said on Saturday. “And now, you know defensively people are watching that and saying that we got to prepare for this guy because now you start to mix now that Beau has shown what he can do. Now you start to mix Beau in, in a drive or for a couple of series in a game. And you got to spend a ton of time on preparing for that. So that’s exciting for us as well.”
At face value it’s hard to really identify how much of this is Franklin simply planting a seed of doubt in defensive coordinators’ minds that Pribula might make an appearance versus actually planning to play him. Equally true, it’s not entirely impossible to imagine a scenario in which Pribula’s spot play and special position on the roster isn’t just a roundabout way of keeping him engaged in Penn State’s success long enough that he won’t ring up the transfer portal at the first opportunity. That particular plan hasn’t worked that well in the past with Tommy Stevens or Will Levis, but it’s hard to blame either of them for moving on. If one imagines Allar goes to the NFL as soon as he is able, that would mean Pribula would have at least one season at Penn State in the starting role with multiple years in the system under his belt. If he’s willing to wait for that of course.
The other question is if Pribula’s ability to do good things in a somewhat limited role and the mandatory prep that creates opposing defenses is a bigger asset to Penn State than keeping Allar in the game and the continuity and reliability that provides. Effectively, is Pribula *maybe* doing something good better than whatever Allar would have brought to the table on that same down and distance? It’s hard to imagine taking Allar off the field, especially in a world where Penn State is losing offensive snaps due to new clock rules, works out to be a positive. All this rings particularly true when you consider that both Stevens and Levis were productive in their time at Penn State but neither were so valuable to the success of the Nittany Lions’ offense that their complete absence would have markedly changed anything. Like his predecessors in similar roles, Pribula’s limited in-game passing action also makes his contributions seemingly one dimensional.
But for the sake of argument – since Franklin has brought it up and it seems entirely possible Pribula will see the field in meaningful moments – here are four situations in which Pribula might see the field and make a legitimate impact.
Deep Red Area:
This seems like the most sensible way to get Pribula’s legs in on the action in a way that could work for Penn State. For all of his size and strength, Allar is – so far – not the battering ram inside of the 10 that some players might be. If nothing else, keeping Allar from lowering his shoulder might be the best way to keep him on the field. Pribula for his part has the speed and strength to make a difference here. Equally true, while coverages are condensed in this part of the field, it might also be the best place to take advantage of Pribula’s arm as well. Using Pribula as a red zone secret weapon isn’t the worst idea and might be the best candidate for doing something that makes sense without doing something for the sake of doing it. Penn State did weird things with tight end Tyler Warren in these situations last year, no reason Pribula can’t as well.
General T-Formation:
This might come down to how much Pribula can – and is trusted – to block, but for all the wrinkles Penn State has installed into the T-Formation, Pribula being back there is something else to consider in certain situations. That being said if Pribula gets the ball every time he’s out there it’s not much of a surprise, so he’d have to block a few times and hard to know how reasonable that is. All told if you wanted to throw him in there for short yardage tomfoolery it’s not the worst thing in the world.
Sweeps:
Jet-sweeps might give Penn State fans some early 2013, 2014 PTSD but if you’ve got a guy who can run with the ball you may as well give him a head start. Run Pribula on a jet sweep for a pass-back to Allar and I will allow it on entertainment levels alone. That particular play seems like a horrible idea [which is why Penn State should try it] but getting Pribula a full head of steam is one way to use him.
Genuine Replacement:
Of all the ways Pribula could see the field, simply replacing Allar seems equal parts the most straightforward and also the least worthwhile. Pribula turning into a running back for a few plays is something that might work or might not. He simply hasn’t thrown the ball enough to trust him on that front at this point which means at best you’re hoping Pribula manages 5-10 yards with his legs on plays Allar could have gotten 5-15 with his arm. This sort of stuff might work against lesser teams, but unless he breaks a big one – which seems optimistic at best – then it’s hard to imagine genuinely taking Allar off the field against Ohio State or Michigan is a positive for Penn State.
