Tag: Jaquan Brisker

10 takeaways from final week of Bears’ 2023 OTAs

The Bears conducted their ninth practice of OTAs on Wednesday. Here’s what we learned from the final week:

The Chicago Bears kicked off their final week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) at Halas Hall.

Chicago conducted their ninth voluntary OTA practice on Wednesday, which was the third open session to media. So there was plenty to glimpse from the final week, be it through practice or interviews.

There were plenty of storylines that came out of Wednesday’s practice, including the returns of Eddie Jackson, Jaylon Johnson and Nate Davis, as well as the continued connection between Justin Fields and DJ Moore and the defense making a big play.

Following the Bears’ ninth practice of OTAs, here’s what we learned:

Every NFL draft pick coached by James Franklin

Zac Stacy, Jordan Matthews, Saquon Barkley, Micah Parsons, and every other NFL draft pick who played for James Franklin.

[autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] got his first head coaching opportunity with Vanderbilt after the 2010 season despite previously being the head coach-in-waiting at Maryland. The Commodores are not necessarily known for producing a tremendous amount of NFL talent, but Vanderbilt managed to send a few players off to the next level by way of the NFL draft under the guidance of Franklin, who has experience as an assistant coach in the NFL.

In the years Franklin was the head coach at Vanderbilt, from 2011 through 2013, Vanderbilt had seven players drafted. And a few more who would go on to be drafted later on out of Vanderbilt were brought into the program initially by Franklin and his staff. The seven players drafted from Vanderbilt from Franklin’s three seasons with the program is the most draft picks from Vanderbilt in a three-year span in school history since 1957-1969 saw 11 players selected by NFL teams, in the days of a draft lasting at least 20 rounds.

Since arriving at Penn State in 2014, Franklin has seen a growing number of his players go on to be drafted by NFL franchises, including an offensive rookie of the year in running back [autotag]Saquon Barkley[/autotag] in 2018 and a defensive rookie of the year in linebacker [autotag]Micah Parsons[/autotag] in 2021.

Here is a look at every player drafted by an NFL team that had James Franklin as a head coach in their last game before being drafted, beginning with Franklin’s time at Vanderbilt.

And once you are done checking out this list, here is a list of every Penn State player drafted in the first round of the NFL draft since Penn State joined the Big Ten.

Looking back at the Bears’ 2022 rookie draft class

Ahead of the 2023 NFL draft, we’re taking a look back at the Bears’ rookie class from last year.

The Chicago Bears drafted 11 players in the 2022 NFL draft, as well as added a handful of undrafted rookies, where a number of them made significant contributions on offense, defense or special teams during their rookie season.

There were some rookies that shined brighter than others and some that made the most of their limited opportunities. But it’s clear the future is bright with this 2022 draft class, general manager Ryan Poles’ first.

Ahead of the 2023 NFL draft, we’re taking a look back at Chicago’s rookie class from last year, featuring both draft picks and undrafted free agents.

5 Bears with bright futures in 2023

With the moves Ryan Poles made in free agency, there are many Bears players with bright futures in 2023.

The Chicago Bears’ roster has improved already – and we are still weeks away from the 2023 NFL draft. The Bears had the most cap space to spend and the No. 1 pick to trade this offseason and Ryan Poles took full advantage of it. Now, things are looking bright for Chicago.

With the rebuild in full swing, the Bears have had to fill many holes. They’ve started by adding depth to their wide receivers group, fixing up the offensive line, and plugging holes on defense.

There are a lot of players to be excited about, but here are five Bears with bright futures in 2023.

Joey Porter Jr. accepts invitation to attend 2023 NFL draft

Joey Porter Jr. says he has accepted an invitation to attend the 2023 NFL draft.

Penn State cornerback [autotag]Joey Porter Jr.[/autotag] is looking to be the next first-round draft pick to come out of Happy Valley, and he will be there in person when his name is ultimately announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Porter confirmed he has been invited to attend the NFL draft, which will take place in Kansas City, MO. [autotag]Micah Parsons[/autotag] was the most recent Penn State player invited to attend the draft two years ago, when he was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round.

Porter is widely expected to be drafted somewhere in the first round, although there is no clear consensus on what team will be the one making the draft selection, and he could go anywhere from the top 10 to the end of the first round according to a variety of mock drafts up to this point.

Porter is also looking to become the first defensive back out of Penn State to go in the first round in program history.

“It’s definitely amazing that I am going be the first,” Porter Jr., said at Penn State’s pro day, according to On3. “I’m going to go down in history at Penn State. So, that’s something I can come back and show my kids that. Definitely a special moment. I’m going to be the first, and really just set the tone for what’s coming behind me.”

Penn State had two of Poryter’s former backfield partners chosen in the 2022 NFL draft. SSafety [autotag]Jaquan Brisker[/autotag] was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round and cornerback [autotag]Tariq Castro-Fields[/autotag] was picked by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round.

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Penn State makes top schools cut for four-star 2025 safety

Penn State is considered the early favorite for this four-star safety in 2025

The football recruiting cycle for 2025 is still a year away from taking the spotlight, but Penn State is hard at work on staying competitive for some of the nation’s top players in the Class of 2025. One of the top safeties in the recruiting class has Penn State among the top schools under consideration as his recruiting process begins to really take off.

[autotag]Faheem Delane[/autotag], a four-star safety from Maryland, revealed his top 11 schools on his Twitter account on Friday. Penn State was one of three current Big Ten schools and four Big Ten schools by the time he is set to sign his letter of intent with Ohio State, Maryland, and USC were all in the mix as well.

Delane is rated as a four-star player by On3 and Rivals. Penn State is also considered the favorite right now for Delane according to the On3 recruiting prediction machine. According to the On3 computers, Penn State has a 41.7% chance of securing the commitment from Delane. Delane has said previously he could commit as early this summer depending on how he is feeling about his recruiting process.

Other schools in Delane’s top 11 included South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Florida, Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, and LSU.

One thing that stands out about Penn State to Delane is Penn State’s track record of developing defensive backs for the next level. [autotag]Joey Porter Jr.[/autotag] is set to be a first-round draft pick in the 2023 NFL draft, and [autotag]Tariq Castro-Fields[/autotag] was a draft pick in 2022. Penn State has also developed other defensive secondary players for the next level in recent years like [autotag]Jaquan Brisker[/autotag] and [autotag]Ji’Ayir Brown[/autotag].

Follow Kevin McGuire on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

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Jaquan Brisker praises Bears front office for DJ Moore trade

Jaquan Brisker loves what Bears GM Ryan Poles has been doing this offseason.

The Chicago Bears are in the midst of a potential franchise-altering offseason, where they’ve made some big moves ahead and during free agency.

Bears players have been effusive in their praise for general manager Ryan Poles, who has been methodical in his approach and landing some big-name veterans and draft capital while building around quarterback Justin Fields.

Safety Jaquan Brisker is among those who’s been impressed by how the Bears have handled free agency, as well as the trade for the No. 1 pick with the Carolina Panthers.

Brisker was excited about the decision to trade the pick for Moore, who he believes will help elevate Chicago’s offense.

“I thought it was a great trade, especially for Justin and the offense, to get a weapon that makes us that much more dangerous,” Brisker said on The Matt Lombardo Show. “Last year, we were that close. Maybe three to seven points away during certain games, but adding another weapon right there shows they’re invested in Justin Fields. They knew we needed another weapon and were moving in the right direction.”

Brisker makes a great point, as the Bears lost four games last year despite having a double-digit lead. Moore should provide a spark to the offense, whether out of the backfield, in the slot, or as an outside receiver. 

Brisker also talked about the challenges on offense from learning a new system, but he was impressed by what Fields could do once he was given more control. 

“At the beginning of last season, it [the offense] was moving slowly because, you know, it was a new offense,” Brisker said. “And the offense, with a new offensive coordinator, was also trying to get a feel for things. And we just had a different offense once they put it in Justin’s hands.” 

Heading into 2023, the Bears are all-in on Fields at quarterback and are making the necessary moves to get him the weapons he needs. In addition to the Moore trade, the Bears added guard Nate Davis, tight end Robert Tonyan, and running back D’Onta Foreman in free agency.

There’s still more to come in free agency and the NFL draft, but the Bears could be one of the most improved teams in 2023 after going 3-14 last year. 

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Penn State spring football preview: Cornerbacks and safeties

There are some key spots to fill in the Penn State secondary this spring.

Penn State is normally known as “Linebacker U,” but recently their secondary players have been making waves at the NFL level.

In recent years, [autotag]Adrian Amos[/autotag], [autotag]Nick Scott[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaquan Brisker[/autotag] have all been featured in prominent roles at the next level. Now, [autotag]Joey Porter Jr.[/autotag] is expected to be the highest Penn State secondary player ever taken in the NFL Draft and [autotag]Ji’Ayir Brown[/autotag] is climbing up draft boards.

The current 2023 roster has a bunch of playmakers as well. This will be an experienced group overall and should have a major impact on the success of Penn State’s defense this season.

The headliner in the group is cornerback [autotag]Kalen King[/autotag]. He was a bit overshadowed by Porter Jr. last season, but it’s now his time to shine. Others in the secondary should become a household name this season as well.

Here are some names to watch as spring practices start.

Kalen King

Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Measurables: 5’11” / 185 lbs.

Year: Junior

Expected Role: Starting cornerback

Kalen King is a flat out star. While overshadowed by the bigger name of Joey Porter Jr., he put together an elite season last year. His PFF grade of 89.0 was 8th best out of 916 corners.

He is expected to be one of the most impactful players on the defense and might be the best player in the program. He showed how good he was in a primary role during the Rose Bowl. If King continues to play like he did last season, Penn State is in good hands at starting cornerback.

Johnny Dixon

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Measurables: 6’0″ 190 lbs.

Year: Redshirt Senior

Expected Role: Starting cornerback

[autotag]Johnny Dixon[/autotag] will have some big shoes to fill this season. The former South Carolina transfer is expected to win the starting role during the spring and summer to play opposite of King.

In the two season he’s been at Penn State, Dixon improved his PFF grade by 10 points. He ranked 260th out of 916 corners in 2022-23, recording 23 total tackles, 10 passes defended and two interceptions. There is potential that this could be a position battle to watch in the spring and summer as James Franklin brought in a transfer cornerback from North Carolina.

NEXT: The expected starters at safety

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Giants’ Darius Slayton had the dumbest comeback to Bears’ Jaquan Brisker trashing Daniel Jones

This was the worst way to defend Jones’ honor.

It’s been a contentious place for quarterback discussion over the past few days. (Which, we should probably blame the Ravens.)

After it was reported that several teams were bowing out of a pursuit of the non-exclusively tagged Lamar Jackson, many NFL players sounded off. One of them was Chicago Bears safety, Jaquan Brisker. A standout rookie with Chicago in 2022, Brisker has already turned himself into one of pro football’s better defenders.

When folks piled on the news that Jackson would be getting tagged on Twitter, Brisker jumped into the fray. And when he laughed about an MVP having to deal with such treatment, Brisker took a comparing shot at Daniel Jones, who just got overpaid by the New York Giants.

Brisker called Jones “trash.”

To be fair to Brisker, he’s probably not wrong! Jones showed signs of legitimate progress in 2022, but that doesn’t change the overall mediocrity he’s shown in his four-year career. Even while it’s considerably less money than what Jackson is asking for, Jones getting handsomely paid before a player with an MVP Award in his trophy case boggles the mind.

In response to Brisker’s ripping of Jones, Darius Slayton had a comeback the following day. Was it something about how Jones is actually an elite QB who is misunderstood? Was it a relevant statistic or anecdote the football world is overlooking in its evaluation of him? What it anything pertinent to the discussion about Jones being merely above-average at best?

No, no, and no.

Slayton shared a screenshot of the final score from the Giants’ 20-12 win over the Bears last season. A game where Jones completed a whopping eight passes for 71 yards while running for 68 yards and two touchdowns before leaving early. A matchup the Giants literally had to finish with running back Saquon Barkley taking signal-calling snaps.

And please note that Slayton — a pending unrestricted free agent — didn’t even respond to Brisker directly.

Hmm, I wonder why!

The Bears and Giants aren’t scheduled to meet during the 2023 season, which is a bummer. It would’ve been a lot of fun to potentially see Brisker, Slayton, and even Jones settle their differences.

That said: Slayton’s comeback to defend Jones’ honor was still really dumb.

Bears safety Jaquan Brisker: Daniel Jones is ‘trash’

In an unprovoked tweet, Bears safety Jaquan Brisker weighed in on the contract of New York Giants QB Daniel Jones, calling him “trash.”

The New York Giants signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year contract that could be worth up to $195 million on Tuesday.

The agreement sent social media into a frenzy. Many fans could not believe Jones was able to land such a significant deal, but they weren’t alone. Several analysts and even some other NFL players also chimed in, including Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker.

Upset that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson remains without a long-term deal, Brisker took aim at Jones, calling the Giants quarterback “trash.”

Brisker, who had one of his worst performances against Big Blue in Week 4 of last season, riled up some Giants players with his unprovoked commentary. They felt he crossed the line by weighing in on another player’s contract.

Giants defensive lineman Jihad Ward also shared a thought on pocket-watchers like Brisker, but his take was very much not safe for work.

The 23-year-old Brisker was a second-round pick of the Bears in the 2022 NFL draft. He’s barely had a cup of coffee in the NFL but clearly felt entitled enough to weigh in on Jones, who has undeniably becomes a lightning rod around the league.

The Bears and Giants are not scheduled to play in the regular season again until 2025 (pending divisional standings).

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