Penn State backup quarterbacks have recently gone on to find much success with different programs. Whether it be Beau Pribula for both Missouri and Virginia or Ethan Grunkemeyer following James Franklin to Virginia Tech, Penn State has proven to be a QB factory that produces talent no matter where they end up playing. However, some fans won't be quick to remember the backup QB who will now be playing against the blue and white this weekend. TempleQB Jaxon Smolik could prove to be just as unique as his predecessors.
Smolik initially signed with the Nittany Lions as a three-star recruit out of Iowa in 2023. Considered to be a respectable pocket passer, for some reason he never quite received the same hype as others in the QB room. After all, when
you're stuck behind players such as Drew Allar and Beau Pribula, you know you may not see the field much. In fact, he only played 14 snaps, with 11 coming in last year's game against Villanova, where he suffered a season-ending injury.
Now though, he is in an interesting situation with the Temple Owls, where he is the starting quarterback...but not all the time. In a platoon system with redshirt junior Ajani Sheppard, Smolik provides a perfect contrast to Sheppard's dual-threat abilities. In the first game of the season for the Owls, Smolik was 4 for 6 with 57 yards and a touchdown and contributed to a unique passing attack.
It is specifically because of this two-QB system that Penn State must be wary of which QB is out there at all times. While Temple may not have much talent to compete with Penn State, Smolik will be playing with a chip on his shoulder and with a point to prove.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Can Temple QB Jaxon Smolik impress against his former team?
