Report: Hackenberg Named Starting Quarterback
As first reported by ESPN’s Josh Moyer, true freshman Christian Hackenberg has been named Penn State’s starting quarterback for the team’s opening game on Saturday against Syracuse.
Onward State sources have also confirmed that Hackenberg, a five-star recruit out of Fork Union, Virginia, has been named the starter over junior college transfer Tyler Ferguson.
Hackenberg comes in highly touted — he was ESPN’s #1 quarterback recruit and its 15th overall prospect coming into 2013. He will be the first true freshman to start at QB for the Lions since 2010, when Robert Bolden started for Penn State in a 44-10 defeat of Youngstown State.
Despite pegging Hackenberg as the starter, coach Bill O’Brien has emphasized that both quarterbacks will play, no matter who is named the starter.
Of course, nothing is official until the first offensive snap of the game tomorrow, but it appears that Hackenberg will lead O’Brien’s high-powered offense in MetLife Stadium.
Your ad blocker is on.
Please choose an option below.
Purchase a Subscription!
About the Author
Penn State Football Hires Northwestern Defensive Line Coach Christian Smith In Edge Rushers Role
Smith played under Matt Campbell at Toledo from 2012 to 2013.
Report: Former Penn State Football Linebacker Amare Campbell Transfers To Tennessee
Campbell was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team in 2025.
Mute Cities Is Not Your Average State College Band
The men of Mute Cities don’t want to be the usual, run-of-the-mill bar band. They have aspirations beyond State College, not wanting to be stuck in the trap of being a band that never gets out of Happy Valley.