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YSU transfer looks impressive
By STEVE WILAJ
YOUNGSTOWN
Thursday night after team meetings, Trent Hosick could be found in the Youngstown State weight room squatting nearly 400 pounds while listening to each the “Rocky” and “Rudy” theme music.
Hosick’s lifting playlist can tell you a little about what kind of guy he is.
On Friday, the newest Penguins junior quarterback — a transfer from junior college Arizona Western — recorded his strongest session yet, completing a handful of impressive passes and showing his all-around game at Stambaugh Stadium in YSU’s third spring practice of the season.
“Today was a good practice,” said Hosick, who is expected to battle with junior quarterbacks Hunter Wells and Ricky Davis all spring and summer. “I felt like I got better. It’s just about executing.”
The dual-threat Hosick — listed at 6-foot-1, 225-pounds — joined YSU in January after two years at Arizona Western. He wound up with the Matadors after committing to Missouri out of high school in 2013 and transferring after one season.
YSU’s playbook contains the “sixth or seventh” new offense Hosick has had to pick up since high school. Still, based on performances like Friday’s, he appears to be a quick learner.
“It’s a process and the goal is to get better every single day that you’re out here,” said Hosick, who is totally healthy after missing eight weeks this past season with cracked ribs and a broken ankle. “The struggle with that is, every single day, we’re putting in more and more plays.
“I have confidence in my athleticism and my ability to make all the throws that the coaches need me to make. But right now it’s just about learning the offense, knowing the rules and then knowing when to break the rules.”
Hosick — who wears No. 11 and throws almost out of a three-quarters arm slot — completed a 30-yard pass to Darien Townsend in the early 7-on-7 drills, before later completing a 45-yard strike to Robert Byrd in the second 7-on-7 session.
Hosick, who split first-team snaps with Wells and Davis, he also had an impressive 15-yard connection with Byrd in the 11-on-11 portion of practice. He also showed off his scrambling skills.
“I think that Trent’s picking it up and he’s getting more comfortable,” YSU head coach Bo Pelini said. “It’s been a good couple days for him.
“We wanted to bring in junior college QB, and he brought a lot of elements to the table and we thought he’d just add another guy to the competition. He’s athletic, has good character, is smart — so he has all the tools. He just has to refine them.”
Still getting accustomed to the Ohio weather after two years in Arizona, Hosick also has these new items: “Some snow boots, new jackets, new coats. So I’m good to go as far as the weather goes.”
Additionally, he’s ready to go as far as the QB competition goes.
“I think they share the same mindset as I do and that’s if they want what’s best for YSU, they want themselves to be playing,” Hosick said. “And that’s what it should be — it’s a competition.
“At this point, they’ve been great and helped me out with things any time I have a question. But we’re all training on our own and out here trying to execute on our own. Ultimately, whatever the coach’s decide, that’s what’s gonna be best for Youngstown State. But I’m gonna make it a competition, that’s for sure.”
PRACTICE HAPPENINGS
Byrd, who’s 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds, had a strong day as he made a handful of catches while displaying his quickness. The sophomore receiver from Fort Myers, Fla., has stood out early this spring.
“He’s got good speed,” Pelini said of Byrd, who is of the same mold of 2015 senior receiver Andre Stubbs. “He’s not the biggest guy in the world, but he’s done a nice job of getting off press and he has ability to be a good football player for us. And we need somebody at that position to step up.”
First-year Penguins senior receiver Will Mahone (Austintown Fitch) tweaked his right foot/ankle in the early 7-on-7 drills and did not return to practice. He was walking gingerly on it the rest of the day, although it doesn’t appear to be a serious injury.
YSU’s stingy defensive backs group had a good day — its highlight coming when senior corner Eric Thompson intercepted a Davis pass near the sidelines. But Wells burned sophomore corner Chrispin Lee and connected with redshirt freshman receiver Zack Torbert for a pretty 70-yard TD pass.