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Hack back and on (NFL) track

UNIVERSITY PARK – The NFL Draft is right around the corner (April 30-May 2), and Christian Hackenberg won’t be in it.

But a year from now, he very well may be, as NFL draft analysts continue to slot him on top of a short list of the best quarterbacks available beginning in 2016.

He’s already been compared favorably to Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, the past two Heisman Trophy winners who are expected to be taken 1-2 in this year’s draft.

“If you’re asking me right now who has the best upside to play the position in our league – physical, mental, emotional – at the highest level of the game, it’s an easy answer between those three,” one AFC scout told The Sporting News last month. “It’s Hackenberg – and, frankly, it’s not really close.”

Professional drafts, particularly the NFL and NBA, have changed considerably over the years. Prospects in either sport no longer have to stay four or five years, and they don’t.

The NBA selects potential projects as many wet-behind-the-ears 19-year-olds figure they need to get out of college basketball after one year or ASAP before the flaws in their games are further exposed.

The NFL at least mandates that players spend three years in college.

And that’s where Hackenberg finds himself. He’s already more mature than Winston, having handled considerable adversity that wasn’t self-created. Mariota seems to be a terrific kid, but he also may be a system quarterback who thrived in Oregon’s pinball offense.

For his part, Hackenberg didn’t address an NFL question Saturday and has avoided putting the cart before the horse.

“I’m not really worried about that,” he said on a glorious afternoon meant for the Blue-White Game. “I’m just going to play as hard as I can and make sure I do my role to put my team in the best situation to win football games. That’s what I’m focused on.”

It’s the kind of response that is reflective of Hackenberg’s evolving leadership skills.

To a man, the Penn State camp has noticed further growth in the intangibles in their quarterback who was hurried uncomfortably into a captain’s role as a sophomore – the youngest captain in Nittany Lion history.

“Him being the third year in the system and now being a veteran instead of being thrust into maybe a veteran spotlight (when) before maybe he shouldn’t have been or whatever, I think he’s just going to grow from that,” offensive coordinator John Donovan said. “The guys respect the heck out of him.”

Hackenberg tried to carry his captaincy last year as best he could because, “It was an honor because the guys thought that highly of me to elect me. Especially with the tradition this program carries and what the (QB) position in this program carries, I wanted to make sure I’m living everything they expect of me and pass on the tradition and foundation that has been laid by the many players before me.”

It was a difficult balance.

After thriving in Bill O’Brien’s pro-style system and earning national freshman of the year honors in 2013, Hackenberg’s stats took a hit last year. So did he, as he was sacked 44 times, the most among Division I quarterbacks.

It’s a wonder he didn’t develop a twitch. Instead, he ended the season with an exclamation-point – a 371-yard, four-touchdown performance in the Pinstripe Bowl win over Boston College.

“He’s definitely always been in charge of the offense,” sophomore receiver Saeed Blacknall said, “but now that he’s gotten older, you can really see it.”

James Franklin can, too.

Franklin said Saturday, Hackenberg’s “leadership is right on schedule. I see him interacting with his teammates and the coaches a lot more.”

Beyond the physical pounding, Hackenberg has admitted 2014 strained his focus.

“My mind was in a lot of places last year,” he said. “I kind of lost the ability to sort of focus on myself when I need to, in a sense that making sure I’m doing my job.”

And who can blame him? The coach who recruited him, O’Brien, left after Hackenberg’s first season, forcing Hackenberg to adjust to a new head coach and a new quarterback coach.

Further, Hackenberg’s father left the door open to a transfer in a November interview, which Hackenberg quickly nixed.

Fast-forward five months, and Hackenberg seems at peace behind an offensive line that should be better (but wasn’t necessarily so Saturday), and featuring a breakout back in Akeel Lynch and a stable full of young receivers.

“Definitely,” was his response to a question on whether he’s matured as a leader. “I think it’s just knowing my role, what the coaches expect, how to get to my teammates, that’s something I can take away from the spring.”

Reluctant to run much the last couple of years, even when receivers were covered, he tucked the ball away and picked up a few yards several times Saturday.

“We’re always encouraging our quarterbacks to go through their progressions,” Franklin said, adding if the top three options aren’t available, “go get us 4 yards and keep us on track. He’s shown that.”

He’s also kept his word and stuck with Penn State through two years of a tough transition, and because of that, he deserves to play well enough to make the 2015 season here his last.

Nittany Lion fans should enjoy Christian Hackenberg while they can.

Rudel can be reached at 946-7527 or nrudel@altoonamirror.com.

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