Penn State Football: 10 Benchmarks for Spring Success

Spring practice is a time for college football teams to work on many things.

Teams must use this time to establish new players, decide position battles and create team chemistry among any new starters.

Penn State must do all of that, and more, this spring. New head coach Bill O'Brien is entering his first practice as the guy in charge. How he handles it will go a long way toward Penn State's success in 2012.

Here are 10 benchmarks for success in Penn State's spring practice.

Find Another Safety

The Nittany Lions must replace Nick Sukay and Drew Astorino in the defensive backfield. 

Malcolm Willis has the free safety spot locked down, but Penn State's Hero position is up for grabs. 

Stephen Obeng-Agyapong is experienced on special teams, and as a backup, but he does not have much starting experience. He is a converted cornerback, so his cover skills should be adequate.

If Obeng-Agyapong cannot lock down the job, Jake Fagnano is the next option. He is also very inexperienced. 

Penn State'e secondary will be fine. Willis is more talented than either Sukay or Astorino. But, the Nittany Lions must still find a partner for Willis on the back end. 

Make Bill Belton Comfortable

Bill Belton was primarily a Wildcat quarterback for Penn State last season. Belton was listed as a wide receiver, but his versatility was put on display. 

According to Nate Mink of statecollege.com, Bill Belton's official position has changed. He will enter spring practice as a running back. 

Belton will be an interesting option in Penn State's backfield. I expect him to still line up all over the field, but the idea of touches out of the backfield is intriguing. 

Penn State lost Stephfon Green to graduation. The Nittany Lions could use a speed option at running back. 

Belton will not be a focal part of the offense, but he could be an exciting part if he is comfortable.

Depth at Wide Receiver

Justin Brown is a lock to start the year as Penn State's No. 1 target. Beyond Brown are a bunch of question marks.

Devon Smith, Shawney Kersey, Curtis Drake and Alex Kenney are all fine options; however, they are not established No. 2 targets. They all possess great speed, but starting receivers must be able to do more than just run. 

Penn State also has Allen Robinson and Brandon Moseby-Felder. Both are big targets, but also inexperienced. 

The Nittany Lions have a ton of options but not necessarily any great options. Brown is the only established target among a plethora of speedsters. 

Inject New Talent

Penn State's 2012 recruiting class was not noteworthy. Wide receiver Eugene Lewis could be the sole bright spot out of the group.

Lewis played quarterback in high school, but he projects as a solid No. 2 receiver in college. He does not have breakaway speed, but he is very athletic in the open field. 

The Nittany Lions' receiving situation is up in the air. Lewis could find himself on the field early this season, if he has a solid showing in spring practice. 

Bill O'Brien will use a variety of sets. Using all of Penn State's weapons is a wise idea, and Lewis could be one of Penn State's best.

Who Wants to Play Tight End?

Bill O'Brien used pass-catching tight ends to his advantage as the New England Patriots' offensive coordinator. 

O'Brien will have to wait one more year for Adam Breneman to arrive in Happy Valley. Breneman fits O'Brien's mold perfectly.

This season Penn State will rely on average tight ends to start. Gary Gilliam, Kevin Haplea and Andrew Szczerba are not going to break an offense open. At most, they are capable blockers.

Dakota Royer has switched sides of the ball. Instead of playing defense, Royer will line up at tight end this spring. If he learns the offense quickly, he could see snaps this season. However, he is still not a major target. 

Find a Partner for Jordan Hill

All-American defensive tackle Devon Still has graduated. Jordan Hill will replace him as Penn State's top interior option, but who will play next to Hill?

Junior Da'Quan Jones is the favorite. He has a 300-plus pound frame, and eats up multiple blockers. This would allow the explosive Hill to take on one blocker, and wreak havoc in the backfield. 

James Terry will also see time next to Hill. He is a senior, but does not have much experience. 

The Nittany Lions owe a lot of their defensive success last season to the play of Still, and Hill, in the middle. 

Hill appears to be a No. 1 option, but a No. 2 option must be established before the season begins.

Chemistry Up Front

Penn State must replace four starters on their offensive line. Center Matt Stankiewitch is the only returning starter. 

Offensive line coach Mac McWhorter will need to establish new starters everywhere else. Those spots are still up in the air, but must be set before Week 1. 

Chemistry is a major component of offensive line success. The new starters must gel together, ideally before the season begins. This will every facet of Penn State's offense. 

McWhorter's first season at Penn State will not be an easy one.

Land Danny O'Brien

Former Maryland quarterback Danny O'Brien has contacted Penn State regarding a possible transfer, according to Bill O'Brien. 

Danny O'Brien struggled last season. He threw for 1,648 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was eventually replaced behind center.

He should intrigue Penn State fans, and coaches, nonetheless. He entered Maryland as a touted high school quarterback, and was impressive as a redshirt freshman. He threw for 2,438 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions that season. 

Danny O'Brien has talent and could re-establish himself in an offense more suited to his abilities.

Establish an Identity

Penn State must establish an identity on offense. 

Bill O'Brien would love to find a passing attack in Happy Valley, but the current quarterback situation may keep that from happening. 

The Nittany Lions will, more than likely, have to lean on the ground game. Silas Redd was one of the best running backs in the Big Ten last season, and should be even better this time around. 

Penn State's offense was abysmal last season. The Nittany Lions cannot solely rely on their defense this season, if they want to have success. 

Establish a Quarterback

Penn State will have three, maybe four, quarterbacks vying for a starting spot this season. 

Matt McGloin is probably the front runner. He has been heavily criticized by the Nittany Lion fanbase, but he has the most starting experience. McGloin does not have a big arm, is undersized and makes erratic decisions; however, he shows leadership and moxie at times. 

Rob Bolden also has had starting experience but it has not been good experience, thus far. He has struggled in his time behind center, and does not look close to the touted prospect he once was. 

The fan favorite is Paul Jones. Jones was academically ineligible last season, but is currently eligible according to sources. Jones is extremely talented, if he can keep his head on straight. He will have a chance to make a solid impression on his new coaching staff this spring. 

The wildcard could be Danny O'Brien, if he decides to make Penn State his new home after leaving Maryland's program.

No matter who it is Penn State must establish one quarterback. Not two or three, but one arm behind center week in and week out. This will create chemistry and cohesion in an offense desperate for passing yards.