Sometimes, there comes a player in the college football landscape who immediately takes the sport by storm. For theNittany Lions, while they have mostly stumbled through the season, that player has been an unheralded true freshman who potentially has made two of the biggest defensive plays in Penn State's season thus far. Now coming off of the bye, he has the chance to further cement himself as both the present and the future of Penn State's young secondary.
Josiah Zayas was not always the top prospect at his position, nor was he seen as someone who could be the best player in a deep position group for the blue and white. After all, both Audavion Collins and Zion Tracy were seen as the unquestioned leaders of the secondary. However, it has been
Zayas who has been at the center of everything good that has happened for the secondary. In fact, had Penn State taken advantage of his biggest moments, they could have a much better record right now.
Midway through the second quarter of Penn State's game against Wisconsin, Colton Joseph was looking to put a drive together. Josiah Zayas had other plans. His 49 yard pick six put Penn State up 10-0 and set them on their way to a 17 point half. It turned out not to be enough as Wisconsin stormed back to win 24-20. Then against Michigan, Zayas made the play of the year for Penn State thus far as he closed out the half with an insane one-handed snag to preserve Penn State's slim 3-0 lead. However, stop me if you've heard this one before. A second half later, Penn State would lose again, this time 21-18.
In the second half of the season, Penn State will simply be trying to salvage something positive to take away from the season. Zayas especially would like more highlight reel plays himself, but mostly ones that come in wins for his team rather than losses. Still, perhaps that what makes Josiah Zayas so unique as a player. He's been a bright light in yet another trying season for a Penn State squad who was looking to compete this year. And yet, it's the potential future that Zayas represents that could keep Penn State fans wanting more from the young phenom. While Zayas' big moments feel like aberrations now, a few years down the line, they could become special.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Josiah Zayas is both the present and the future for the Nittany Lions
