Andrew Isaacs

Photo Courtesy of Facebook.com

Two years ago, Penn State sent two TEs to the NFL. This included Andrew Quarless, who was Penn State's only player to record a reception in every game of 2009, and helped lead the Packers to a Super Bowl his first season in the pros.  Last year, however, Penn State tight ends were held to five total receptions.

If the above statistics aren't startling, nothing is, and this is why Penn State has been recruiting TEs throughout their 2012 class.  Still, they may need to save some room for the 2013 class.

We've already mentioned Chris Brickhouse and Adam Breneman, but the best blocking TE on Penn State's board might hail from Manchester (CT) High School, Andrew Isaacs.

"I got offers from UConn and Boston College...Maryland and Rutgers are also showing interest," he recently told NittanyLionsDen.com.  "I wouldn't mind [hearing more from] PSU.  I love Penn [State] and my coach says they have interest [in me].  They sent me several camp invites," he continued.

"It's just exciting to have these schools looking at me.  But not surprising."

What is Isaacs looking for in a school?  "Basically I want to go anywhere that wants to help me get better, win championships, and throw me the ball."

Isaacs self-reports his measurables to be: 6'3" and 235 lbs, 280 bench and 350 squat, runs a 4.9 forty and 27 inch vertical.

Tomorrow the Big Ten gets their time in the media frenzy spotlight as Big Ten media days officially get underway in Chicago's Hyatt Regency. Nittany Lion's Den will be represented and will be looking to provide some unique perspective in to the event. Be sure to be following all of our updates on Twitter and Facebook.

If you are wondering just when Joe Paterno will be talking with the media here is a run down of the tentative schedule for the entire conference and where you can get coverage through the Big Ten Network and/or ESPN and more. Keep in mind that these times are based on Chicago time, which is in the central time zone. For those of you in the Eastern time zone, add one hour to the schedule.

Thursday, July 28

10 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. - Media session with coaches

Watch it on Big Ten Network, or follow our live tweets.

Each Big Ten coach will address the media with some comments about their program and answer some questions from the media. This is generally when all of the out-of-town writers covering other schools and national writers get their questions in, so expect the local guys covering the Nittany Lions to hold off on some of their own questions. Hopefully somebody from USA Today doesn't ask Joe Paterno how he feels about death this time around.

The Leaders Division coaches will go first, with Paterno scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

11:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Radio, Local TV availability for coaches and players

Each school will determine where their representatives go and for how long for radio appearances. As far as Penn State is concerned, Joe Paterno is scheduled to be available between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. We will have to wait and see which radio stations will be talking to Paterno but hopefully we will be able to get our hands on some radio podcasts when they become available. During this same time frame (actually from 10:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.) the coaches and players from each school will be making their rounds through local television outlets. Penn State's representatives will be doing this between 12:00 p.m. and 1:15 p.m.

1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - Media session with Big Ten and Big Ten Network representatives

Watch it on Big Ten Network, or follow our live tweets.

Bill Carollo (Big Ten Coordinator of Football Officials), Mark Silverman (Big Ten Network President) and Jim Delany (Big Ten commissioner) will each meet with the media following the coaches. Delany is scheduled for 2:15 - 2:45 p.m. It will be interesting to see how he responds to some of the topics addressed by Mike SLive (SEC), John Swofford (ACC) and Larry Scott (Pac 12) in their respective media day press conferences.

Friday, July 29

7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast with Iowa and Nebraska

There will be a special breakfast hosted by Iowa and Nebraska Friday morning at the Hyatt-Regency McCormick Place. The purpose of the breakfast will be to formally introduce the Big Ten's newest trophy which will be awarded to the winner of this year's Iowa-Nebraska game, because Iowa is always in search of mroe trophy games. We can only speculate at this point and guess that corn will somehow be associated with the trophy. Here is a look at the invitation. Maybe you can pick up some hints yourself.

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - One-on-One interviews

This will be one of the least structured of the events. Players and coaches will sit at round tables and media will come up to each to ask questions at their leisure. This will be more of an opportunity for local media to focus on the schools they are covering but will also be one last chance for national writers to grab a quote or two. Big Ten Coordinator of Officials Bill Carollo will also be available at this time.

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Autograph session

Coaches and players will sign autographs for fans.

11:00 a.m. - Coaches and Players Group Photos

A chance for the Big Ten to organize a group shot of their coaches and players. Nothing special to see here.

11:30: a.m. - 40th annual kickoff luncheon

One last free meal for those in attendance, and one last chance to rub elbows with the coaches and players before heading home.

We'll have full coverage of the media days for you right here on Nittany Lion's Den, so be sure to check back on Thursday and Friday.

Kirk Garner Has Interest in the Nittany Lions

Photo Courtesy of Facebook.com

Penn State might have received their first DB commitment from the 2012 class, but it's no secret around the Nittany Lions' community that the defensive backfield will again be a need for the 2013 recruiting class.  Luckily, there is a great one right in Penn State's recruiting grounds in Kirk Garner from Olney (MD) Good Counsel, the same former high school as current Penn State DB Mike Wallace.

"I have [offers from] FSU, NC State, Purdue, Cincy, Ohio, Navy...UMD and Va Tech...also," he recently told NittanyLionsDen.com.  "I have received a couple of letters from PSU.  I would love to receive that offer, I always had a nice interest in PSU and their great tradition," he continued.

Besides tradition, what is Garner looking for in a school?  "Well I'm a student athlete first, so academics are very [important for] a college decision.  But besides that I'm looking for a home away from home, and a family away from my family.  And early playing time would be wonderful also, but I believe I can control that with my own abilities."

When asked about what those abilities were, Garner responded, "My determination and mind set.  I know I have to prove myself to others, [but] that's off the field.  But on the field, my tenacity and hype; just having fun and enjoying playing football and playing at 110%"

Garner self-reports him as being 5'11" and 175 lbs.  He runs a 4.5 forty, benches 270 and squats 450.  "All those numbers are rising," he added.

Cup of Joe: Where We Need More DBs

We'd like to welcome Jake Kiley.  And any other DB who's looking for shelter....

-People are 'Still' talking about Devon's bowl game.  (No pun intended?)

-What better way to finish a Penn State vs Nebraska reunion, other than free basketball?

-GoPSUSports.com has a run-down of this week's B1G media days

-A BigTen Championship preview from the one school who might understand

-Penn State goes unranked in BigTen QB rankings

-Follow NittanyLionsDen.com on twitter, like us on facebook, and send any questions or concerns here

Khaliel Rodgers is a Name to Remember in 2013

Photo Courtesy of Facebook.com

When it comes to defensive linemen, Penn State fans might know a thing or two about Delaware's talent.  The current Nittany Lion's squad boasts three defensive linemen from the First State including Eric Lattimore, James Terry and All-American candidate Devon Still.  Well, there might be another star in line - Bear (DE) Red Lion Christian Academy Khaliel Rodgers.

"UConn has offered me, so has Rutgers.  Auburn, Penn State, Delaware, Maryland and Ohio State have all been in contact as well," he recently told NittanyLionsDen.com in an interview.  "Whatever school comes, I'm going to look at" he continued.

What is it that he's going to be looking for?  "Academics are important.  Also, a good school enviroment.  But really, it's just whatever school is the best fit for me, you know?"

Rodgers self-reports himself to be 6'2^1/2" and 300 lbs.  His bench is 415 and his squat is 500.

(Photo courtesy of TheRinger.com)

Class of 2012 CB Jake Kiley, from The New Hampton School in New Hampton, New Hampshire, has verbally committed to Penn State, Ron Musselman reports.

Kiley is a tall corner, standing at 6’1’’ and weighing 175 lbs. According to his Scout.com page, Penn State has been the only school to offer him a scholarship. He is currently not ranked by the recruiting service.

He becomes the 13^th player in the class for Penn State, the fifth player on the defensive side of the ball, and the first in the secondary.

With the NFL now cramming months of off-season activity in to the amount of time it takes Jack Bauer to save the day two or three times, there is a flurry of activity today. A couple of Penn Staters have been signed Tuesday as through undrafted free agency.

Nittany Lions Den previously told you that wide receiver Brett Brackett and linebacker Chris Colasanti have already been signed by NFL teams. Brackett will be joining the Miami Dolphins and Colansanti can keep his current wardrobe after being signed by the Indianapolis Colts. While we are still waiting to see if and where defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu will go, we do know that linebacker Bani Gbadyu will head to Oakland after being signed by the Oakland Raiders.

For posterity's sake, here is a list of Penn State players in the 2011 NFL Draft class and where they are heading. We will update this post as needed.

OL Stefen Wisniewski - Oakland Raiders
Round 2, Pick 16 (48 overall) 

RB Evan Royster - Washington Redskins
Round 6, Pick 12

WR Brett Brackett - Miami Dolphins
Undrafted

LB - Chris Colasanti - Indianapolis Colts
Undrafted

LB Bani Gbadyu - Oakland Raiders
Undrafted 

DL Ollie Ogbu - Indianapolis Colts
Undrafted

OL Lou Eliades - Oakland Raiders
Undrafted 

Last updated: July 26, 2011, 2:13 p.m.

The Big Ten took a hit with the naming of the Legends and Leaders divisions, but the conference nails it with a simple, yet elegant football championship game logo. The logo places the conference logo inside the outline of a football, along with the word "Championship" below and the year above. Have a look, courtesy of the Big Ten...

Here is part of the press release pertaining to the selling of championship game tickets;

Tickets for the inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Game will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, July 30 at 10 a.m. ET. The 2011 Big Ten Football Championship Game will begin at 8:17 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and will be televised by FOX Sports.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000, or by visiting the Lucas Oil Stadium ticket office. The Lucas Oil Stadium ticket office will be open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, July 30. The ticket office is also open during its regular business hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets range from $50 to $125 depending on seat location. Orders will be limited to eight tickets.

Those individuals who purchase tickets through Ticketmaster or the Lucas Oil Stadium ticket office for the 2011 Big Ten Football Championship Game will have the opportunity at a later date to purchase tickets in a comparable location for the 2012 game. In addition, every Big Ten Football Championship Game ticket will include a ticket to Big Ten Fan Fest, to be held at the Indiana Convention Center from 10 a.m. ET until kickoff.

So, two questions.

What do you think of the logo? Is anybody buying tickets, or will you hold off for now and see if Penn State has a real chance to be participating in the game? Let us know by leaving a comment via comment, on Twitter and/or Facebook.

Source: No 2-Minute Warning, Big Ten