Penn State Football: Predicting the Depth Chart Heading into Fall Camp

If there is any team in the country that cannot wait for the season to start, it is certainly the Penn State Nittany Lions. With another offseason filled with off-the-field drama, football is something that will help get their minds off of the Sandusky mess and NCAA sanctions.

With the season just a moth away from starting, the Nittany Lions bring in a new coaching staff and nine starters from a year ago. The problem is that, due to the recent sanctions, any of those players can leave the school whenever they like.

With the roster expected to change, here is what the Penn State 2012 depth chart should look like right now.

Quarterback

Starter: Matt McGloin, Senior

Backup: Paul Jones, Sophomore

It was brutal to watch Penn State pass the football last season, but head coach Bill O'Brien has already named his starter for 2012, which will be Matt McGloin. He completed 54 percent of his passes, threw for 1,571 yards, and made eight touchdowns last year.

Running Back

Starter: Silas Redd, Junior

Backup: Derek Day, Senior

Redd is one of the few bright spots on this Nittany Lions team, as he rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored seven touchdown last season. He is a tough-nosed runner who will be the workhorse for this team once again. The problem is that he may not be on the team for long since he is considering transferring to USC.

Receivers

Starter: Justin Brown, Senior

Backup: Matt Zanellato, Freshman

Brown has the potential to become a big-time playmaker for this offense if he can just get some consistent quarterback play. He has great size at 6'3", solid speed, and has caught over 30 passes the last two seasons.

Starter: Alex Kenney, Sophomore

Backup: Brandon Moseby-Felder, Senior

Kenney came to Penn State as a cornerback, but with his quickness and athleticism, he has a great chance to become a starting wide receiver. He had a terrific spring, which many expect to carry over into the fall.

Starter: Shawney Kersey, Junior

Backup: Allen Robinson, Sophomore

Kersey has good size at 6'1" and great speed. He has big play ability, only catching five passes last season, but racking up 108 receiving yards. He caught three passes in the spring game and is quickly moving up that depth chart.

Starter: Garry Gilliam, Senior

Backup: Kevin Haplea, Junior

Gilliam missed the entire 2011 season due to knee surgery, but is ready to go for this season. He had a tremendous spring, and looks like he will be the starting tight end for the Nittany Lions. He has one career reception for 21 yards.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

Starter: Donovan Smith, Freshman

Backup: Mike Farrell, Senior

Smith began the spring playing on the right side of the line, and ended it as the potential starter for the most important position. Smith is a former 4-star recruit who has great size and plays the game aggressively.

Left Guard

Starter: Miles Dieffenbach, Sophomore

Backup: Mark Arcidiacono, Junior

Dieffenbach spent the last two seasons as a backup center, but had such a good spring that he will likely be the starting left guard. He is a former 4-star recruit, who has great footwork and a little bit of a nasty streak to him.

Center

Starter: Matt Stankiewitch, Senior

Backup: Ty Howle, Senior

Stankiewitch is the only returning starter on this offensive line, as he started every game last year at the center position. With many question marks surrounding this unit, he will be expected to become a leader and help hold things together.

Right Guard

Starter: John Urschel, Junior

Backup: Angelo Mangiro, Freshman

Urschel is extremely smart in the classroom, but has yet to become a full-time starter on the offensive line. He played in every game last season, but did not start. Things should change in 2012.

Right Tackle

Starter: Adam Gress, Junior

Backup: Mike Farrell, Senior

Gress has made huge strides throughout the spring and will likely end up as the starting right tackle. However, he also has the ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line.

Defensive Line

Starter: Pete Massaro, Senior 

Backup:  Deion Barnes, Freshman

Massaro is coming off of a knee injury which forced him to miss the entire 2011 season. He was a very effective player in 2010, racking up 37 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Starter: Jordan Hill, Senior

Backup: James Terry, Senior

Hill has the potential to be something special this season after teasing fans with glimpses of brilliance last year. He finished the year with 59 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Starter: DaQuan Jones, Junior

Backup: Anthony Zettel, Freshman

Jones will finally get his chance to start this season after spending the last two years as a backup. He is a very athletic defensive tackle who gives his all on every play.

Starter: Sean Stanley, Senior

Backup: CJ Olaniyan, Sophomore

Stanley is undersized for the defensive end position (6'1", 247 lbs), but he is a skilled pass-rusher that will help this defensive line tremendously. He finished last season with 30 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

Linebackers

Starter: Gerald Hodges, Senior

Backup: Mike Hull, Sophomore

Hodges is a difference-maker. He lead the team last season with 106 tackles, and the senior returns as the leader of the Lions' defense.

Starter: Glenn Carson, Junior

Backup: Khairi Fortt, Junior

Carson started every game at the middle linebacker position last year, finishing fourth on the team in tackles with 74.

Starter: Michael Mauti, Senior

Backup: Ben Kline, Freshman

Mauti is fully recovered after having his season cut short last year due to a knee injury. During difficult times, Mauti has been the voice for the team and that should transfer to the football field.

Defensive Backs

Cornerback

Starter: Stephon Morris, Senior

Backup: Jesse Della Valle, Sophomore

Morris started several games during the last two seasons for the Nittany Lions, and has emerged as a leader on and off the field. This season he will cement his role as a starter in the defensive backfield.

Safety

Starter: Jake Fagnano, Senior

Backup: Stephen Obeng-Agyapong, Junior

Being a fifth-year senior, Fagnano brings experience to the table. He is known for hard hitting and solid play on special teams. His role will expand in 2012.

Safety

Starter: Malcolm Willis, Junior

Backup: Ryan Keiser, Sophomore

Willis played in every game last season, finishing the year with 33 tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception.

Cornerback

Starter: Adrian Amos, Sophomore

Backup: Mike Wallace, Junior 

Amos has a bright future with Penn State, playing in every game last season as a true-freshman. Due to his upside and play-making ability, Amos will likely make the starting roster when September arrives.

Specialists

Kicker

Starter: Anthony Fera, Junior

Backup: Sam Ficken, Sophomore

Fera has a tremendous leg, which helped him make 14 of his 17 field goal attempts last year. He also handled the teams kickoff and punting duties.

Punter

Starter: Anthony Fera, Junior

Backup: Alex Butterworth, Junior

The bad news is that the Nittany Lions may lose Fera, as he is currently looking at other schools.