Penn State football tight end Pat Freiermuth joined ESPN’s Marty Smith on “Marty Smith’s America The Podcast” Wednesday to discuss the Big Ten’s reinstated football season.

Freiermuth began the interview by explaining some of his top skills. The star tight end discussed with Smith his ability to find holes in zone defense and exploit them.

He tallied 43 receptions and seven touchdowns last season, clearly demonstrating his capacity to create space and get open.

Freiermuth mentioned creating movement at the line of scrimmage and winning versus man coverage were two things he wants to work on before going pro.

Smith, who never fails to add some dramatics into his interviews, asked Freiermuth about the hit stick he put on “some poor defender” in the 2019 Cotton Bowl Classic against Memphis.

“I lowered my shoulder and let him know what’s up,” Freiermuth said.

The pair also discussed the impact the Big Ten’s fall sports postponement had on student-athletes’ mental health. Freiermuth’s teammate, Shaka Toney, didn’t mince words and was candidly vocal about the conference’s decision’s toll.

Friermuth called out the Big Ten, expressing that there was little dialogue between the players, the coaches, and the conference.

“I would wake up some mornings and ask myself what I’m still doing at Penn State,” Freiermuth said.

He also believes the right protocols are in place to play the 2020 season out. He recognized the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic but explained he feels safe enough to have a season.

Finally, Smith finished by asking about the atmosphere in Happy Valley, and his multiple experiences at the White Out.

“I got good advice from one of the senior tight ends. He said, ‘Take six seconds before you run out of the tunnel and just soak it all in’,” Freiermuth said.

Friermuth will now try to soak in what will likely be his final season with the Nittany Lions before heading to the NFL Draft. After rumors of a possible opt out, the junior crashed James Franklin’s interview on the Big Ten Network to confirm he’s staying in Happy Valley just hours after the conference reinstated the season.

You can catch the full podcast episode here.