In joining Charlie’s Top PSU moments, we’ve added another daily countdown feature here at quebecpenspinning.  We’ll be measuring up the 50 most important players to Penn State’s success in the 2009 season.

Checking in at #49 is someone most Penn State fans hope never sees the field.  Like, ever.  Matt McGloin

Number: 11
Position: Quarterback
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Height: 6′1
Weight: 196
Hometown: Scranton, PA
How’d He Get Here: Despite drawing some interest from a bunch of major programs, Matt McGloin did not receive any Division I scholarship offers coming out of high school, and took a preferred walk-on offer from the Nittany Lions.  Though neither Rivals nor Scout ranked McGloin amongst the top quarterbacks in the Class of 2008, ESPN was rather ebullient on McGloin’s talents, ranking him a 76; higher than their ratings of Jack Crawford, Curtis Drake, Chaz Powell, and Evan Royster.
2008 Results: McGloin took a redshirt season in 2008, but sat as fourth on the depth chart behind Daryll Clark, Pat Devlin, and Paul Cianciolo.
What to Expect in 2009: Going into the Blue/White Game, at least, McGloin and freshman Kevin Newsome were considered to be neck-and-neck for the backup quarterback position, though it seems any superfluous playing time at the end of a game next year will be given to the more highly touted passer.  Still, McGloin impressed at the spring game, completing 9 of 13 passes, with 2 going for scores.  He even scampered for a 28 yard touchdown run (pictured below).  Frankly, he looked ready to run the Penn State offense.  If Daryll Clark were to go down, I’m not sure Kevin Newsome would give the Nittany Lions any better of a chance to win than McGloin.
Random Facts: As a true freshman last year, Matt McGloin’s Lift for Life team was called Stretch McGloin.  This year, it was Restretch McGloin.  I’m hoping next year, they go with Pat McGloin.
The Final Word: Let’s be honest here.  The third-string QB won’t see the field much, if at all.  And the fact that McGloin has been bandied about as competing for the #2 job means about as much as Joe Paterno insisting that Paul Cianciolo was competing with Clark and Devlin for the starting job last year.  But McGloin shows promise-enough so that ESPN’s scouts raved about him-which will probably propel hope in McGloin, and in his supporters, that he could be the next Rudy.