Future Star: A future star for State is Freshman (redshirt) Andrew Szczerba. Szczerba is a 6-6, 251 pound tight end from Delaware.
He showed a glimpse of his ability in the Blue-White game where he had 5 catches for 65 yards. Also look for true Freshman Mark Weddurburn to have an impact on the tight end position for Penn State in the future.
Offensive Line:At the two offensive tackles positions the Nittany Lions return two starters. At Left Tackle is the Lindy’s preseason second team All-Big Ten selection Senior Gerald Cadogen. At the other tackle position is Junior Dennis Landolt.
At the offensive guard positions are returning starter and Lindy’s and Athlon Sports preseason first team All-Big Ten selection Senior Rich Orhnberger. At the other guard position is a promising Sophomore Stefen Wisniewski. At Center is one of the top Center’s in the entire nation, first team All-Big Ten selection Senior A.Q. Shipley.
Future Stars: Some future stars on the offensive line for Penn State are Freshman (redshirt) Josh Marks, Freshman Matt Stankiewitch, and Freshman (redshirt) J.B. Walton.
Also in the class of 2009 Penn State has received a commitment from the No. 2 ranked Offensive Tackle prospect in the nation (rankings by Scout.com) Eric Shrive of Scranton, Pennsylvania who should be a factor on the Lion offensive line in the future.
Defensive Line: On the Defensive line Penn State returns everyone with one of the best defensive line units in the Big Ten. At one defensive end position is Athlon Sports First Team All-American Junior Maurice Evans.
Evans is an incredible talent and former high school Army All-American who is projected to be a first round pick in next years NFL Draft. At the other end position is Senior team captain Josh Gaines.
At the defensive tackle positions there are a few players who will rotate in and out of the games. One starter is Jared Odrick who is a load in the middle along with another starter Sophomore Ollie Ogbu. Also Junior Phil Taylor and Sophomore Abe Koroma will rotate into the lineup.
Future Stars: Some younger players who will make an impact in the future on the defensive line are Freshman Jack Crawford and Freshman Brandon Ware who has a lot of potential being 6-4, 340 pounds.
Linebackers:“Linebacker U” took a horrible blow with the loss of Preseason All-American Sean Lee. Although the loss of Lee hurts Penn State is still “Linebacker U”.
Don’t worry Nittany Lion fans because Penn State has a bunch of solid linebackers behind Sean Lee. The starting middle linebacker is projected to be Junior walk-on Josh Hull.
Although Hull is the starter I believe that by the end of the season Sophomore Chris Colasanti will take over that position. At the two outside linebacker positions are Senior Tyrell Sales and Sophomore Bani Gbadyu. Also look for players like Freshman (redshirts) Andrew Dailey and Nate Stupar to switch in and out of the lineup at times.
Future Stars: Penn State looks like it will continue to be “Linebacker U” for years to come with the past two recruiting years. The Lions are loaded at the position with Sophomore Chris Colasanti and Freshman (redshirts) Andrew Dailey and Nate Stupar on the roster. Also look for true Freshman Michael Zordich, Mike Yancich, and Mike Mauti (projected as safety or linebacker) to keep the tradition going in the future.
Cornerbacks:With the loss of Justin King to the NFL the Lions are looking to fill the void left by him with a new shutdown corner. The two projected starters are Seniors Lydell Sargent and Tony Davis.
Davis spent last year as a starting safety and has now switched back to his original position of corner. Also look to see Junior A.J. Wallace to play in the nickel formation and keep on eye on him to emerge as an elite corner.
Future Stars: In the future, Penn State looks to keep generating NFL type cornerbacks. Some younger players that may emerge as decent players are Junior Knowledge Timmons and Freshman (redshirt) Chaz Powell.
Safeties: Penn State returns two experienced safeties for their Senior seasons in Mark Rubin and Anthony Scirotto. Scirotto led the Nittany Lions with 3 interceptions last season and led the Big Ten with 7 interceptions two seasons ago.
Future Stars: The Lions future looks bright at the safety positions with Freshman (redshirt) Nick Sukay and Freshman D’Anton Lynn looking to be elite players.
Special Teams:At kicker Penn State returns four-year starter Kevin Kelly. At punter the Lions return last seasons starter Jeremy Boone. A.J. Wallace and Derrick Williams look to be elite return specialists for the Nittany Lions in the fall.
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