Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Jim Fitzgerald across Football, Basketball.
Don Nelson, celebrated for inventing ‘Nellie Ball’ and guiding underdog teams to unexpected victories, died at 86. His unconventional methods and later life in Hawaii leave a lasting imprint on the sport.
The North Carolina Tar Heels have overhauled their roster through the portal, and three newcomers raise questions about their fit and future impact.
With the home opener against Marshall looming in 65 days, Penn State’s offensive line sees a new depth piece in veteran Jim Fitzgerald, who brings limited but valuable experience to the rebuilt unit.
Penn State is preparing for a 2026 season that will look dramatically different from the one that concluded in 2025. With new head coach Matt Campbell leading the charge, the program is undergoing a comprehensive roster transformation, bringing in a wave of transfers and fresh talent while saying goodbye to several departing seniors. Among the players set to benefit from this shift is offensive lineman Jim Fitzgerald, a walk‑on who has been at the program since the Class of 2022. Hailing from Severna Park, Maryland, Fitzgerald has spent three years developing on the scout team and in limited game action, establishing himself as a dependable depth option. His college career has been marked by modest but meaningful snap counts. He logged a single appearance in the 2025 season and contributed on two occasions as a true freshman in 2022. He did not see action in the 2023 or 2024 campaigns, but his persistence has kept him on the roster as a redshirt senior. In the upcoming year, Fitzgerald is expected to remain a deep reserve along the offensive line. The starting tackle spots are projected to be anchored by Malachi Goodman and Anthony Donkoh, while the top backups are likely to be Garrett Sexton and Owen Aliciene. This depth chart gives Fitzgerald a realistic pathway to see more playing time if injuries or performance shifts arise. The Fitzgerald family’s football pedigree adds an extra layer of intrigue. His father, uncle, and grandfather all played the sport at the collegiate level — Navy, Auburn, and Southern Miss respectively — weaving a tradition of competition and resilience into his approach. Coach Campbell’s vision emphasizes competition and versatility, and Fitzgerald’s blend of experience and family‑driven work ethic fits neatly into that philosophy. As the team finalizes its preparations, the coaching staff will be watching closely to see how the Maryland native contributes to the offensive line’s continuity and depth.