Penn State Football: 5 Nittany Lions to Watch in Spring Practice

Penn State's Blue-White game will be played on April 21. 

The Nittany Lions will find out a lot about their team during the game. Certain players will vie for starting jobs, while others will fight for more playing time.

The Blue-White game is always exciting. Penn State fans get excited. A new coaching staff will add more fuel to the fire.

Players always need to prove themselves in spring practice. This year is no different. 

Here are five Nittany Lions to watch in spring practice:

Paul Jones

Paul Jones entered Happy Valley with a lot of promise. Since his arrival, Jones has done nothing.

Jones was ineligible for the entire 2011 season, but that is not the case for 2012. Jones will be eligible to play in 2012, and many Penn State fans hope he does, in fact, play.

Jones is a dual-threat quarterback. He has the ability to make any throw down the field or elude the pass-rush. 

Penn State fans and coaches hope he can keep himself on the field. If he can, Penn State may have a new starting quarterback to play with.

Eugene Lewis

Eugene Lewis was one of the only bright spots from Penn State's 2012 recruiting class. Lewis enters Happy Valley with a solid reputation.

If Lewis performs well in spring practice, he will garner playing consideration. Bill O'Brien's offense could use playmakers, and Lewis is definitely that.

Lewis is not the fastest player, but he understands how to run in the open field. He excels at setting up blocks. Lewis sees big plays and makes them happen.

The Nittany Lions can not have enough athletes. Lewis could earn a lot of playing time this season with a solid spring. 

If nothing else, he will add depth at wide receiver. 

Michael Mauti

Michael Mauti missed most of the 2011 season with a torn ACL. When healthy, Mauti is Penn State's best defensive player.

Mauti epitomizes "Linebacker U." He possesses excellent instincts and is a great open-field tackler. 

Penn State's defense suffered its share of losses this offseason. Mauti will make up for a lot of those losses if he can stay healthy this season.

If he is healthy, Penn State's defense should be one of the Big Ten's best.

Pete Massaro

Pete Massaro is probably going to start for Penn State this season, following a season-ending injury this past season.

Massaro will be a welcome addition on Penn State's defensive line.

Massaro was Penn State's leading sack artist in 2010. Granted, he did not have much competition.

Penn State lost Jack Crawford and Eric Lattimore from last season. The Nittany Lions will need someone to rush opposing quarterbacks. 

Massaro will be a welcome addition to their defensive line.

If Massaro has a good spring, he will put a lot of momentum in his favor. 

Bill Belton

Bill Belton will play a different role than he did last season. He has moved from wide receiver to running back this offseason.

Belton played an interesting, but limited, role for the Nittany Lions last season. He is an outstanding athlete, but lacks in size.

Penn State will get Belton touches all over the field this season.

Belton has a chance to earn a lot of snaps this spring depending on how he adjusts to his new position.