Big Ten Football Top 150 Players: No. 102, Sean Stanley, Penn State DE

102. Sean Stanley, No. 90, DE, Penn State
 

2011 Stats: 30 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles

Strengths

Penn State's best edge rusher is back for his senior campaign and if he's facing a slower offensive lineman, he can make life intolerable for opposing quarterbacks. Having speed off the edge like his means every snap is a potential drive-stopper or even game-breaker, and his ability to force fumbles is critical here. 

Weaknesses

Stanley's production has increased steadily throughout his career at Penn State, but he's still at the point where he's registering fewer than three tackles per game—that needs to climb. He's also very athletic, but a little limited by his 6'1", 247-pound frame. As a result, he can get swallowed up in run support at times. If he can improve his ability to disengage from blocks, he could really hit the next level in terms of production.

2012 Prediction

Penn State's going to lean on Stanley's pass-rush skills more than ever here in his senior campaign and as one of the elder statesmen of the defensive front, it's going to be critical that he has his best season yet. If he makes "the leap" that's great and it's easily possible. However, that's almost like hitting the lottery and the vast majority of player improvement is incremental. So be on the lookout for something like 40 tackles, 8-10 tackles-for-loss, and 6-8 sacks. That's not too bad. Good enough.