It is the middle of July and 42 days until Penn State's home opener against Coastal Carolina. Although the new season is upon us there are still some major questions in the Penn State football community.
Who will be the starting quarterback for the Nittany Lions this fall? Also a lot of key players have either graduated or moved on to the NFL. Who will take their positions?
In this analysis of the Penn State Nittany Lions roster, I will go through each position to tell you who will be the starters and key contributors to this year's football team and also who will be the future stars for the Lions in the next few years.
Quarterback:The Quarterback position has been the biggest question of the spring and summer in the Penn State community. After the graduation of two-year starter Anthony Morelli the Nittany Lions are searching for their new starting quarterback.
The leading candidate for the starting job is Junior (redshirt) Daryll Clark. Clark is a dual-threat quarterback who has raised comparisons to former Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Michael Robinson.
Although Clark doesn't have the same speed as Robinson he is a very good runner. He showed off his running ability in last years Alamo Bowl win over Texas A&M when he ran for 50 yards and a touchdown. Clark also brings leadership and charisma to the Nittany Lion offense.
The other candidate for the starting quarterback position is Sophomore (redshirt) Pat Devlin. Devlin was a highly recruited high school player out of Downingtown East High School in Pennsylvania.
Devlin, the all-time leading passer in Pennsylvania High School history, originally committed to Miami, but de-committed for his chance to play for his hometown team. Devlin is very talented and is considered a better passer than Clark.
Although you wouldn't describe Devlin as a scrambling quarterback he is a very good athlete and more elusive in the pocket as he would appear. As far as the starting quarterback position goes Daryll Clark will start in the season opener since Joepa usually always goes with experience.
Clark will have his opportunity to be the Nittany Lions starting quarterback but if he struggles it won’t be long until Devlin gets his shot to lead the Lions.
Future Star: Penn State has only three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster Clark, Devlin, and Paul Cianciolo a senior. Since high school phenom Terrelle Pryor chose Ohio State over Penn State the Lions have no young quarterback to develop.
Don't worry though Penn State fans. Devlin has three years of eligibility left which is plenty of time for the coaching staff to find a new quarterback.
Running Back:The Penn State offense is known for running the football and last years leading rusher Rodney Kinlaw has graduated which means a new starter this year. The starting running back will be Sophomore (redshirt) Evan Royster.
Royster, a high school All-American in lacrosse and Lindy’s preseason second team All-Big Ten running back, is a very good athlete. During his freshman season at Penn State he rushed for 513 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Although Royster will be the starter, the buzz this past spring has been around Freshman (redshirt) Stephfon Green. Green is a speedy and lightning quick running back from the Bronx, N.Y.
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