Penn State Football: Finalizing the Week 1 Depth Chart

Penn State released their initial depth chart for this weekend's season opener against Ohio Monday, and at this point there are not many surprising developments.

Most of the names we expected to see at the top of the positions after some transfers over the last month were placed just where we thought they would be on offense, and the defense looks to be as advertised heading in to the first game.

Here is a look through the depth chart for Penn State vs. Ohio.

Quarterback

1. Matt McGloin
2. Paul Jones OR
3. Steven Bench
4. Shane McGregor

As expected all along, Matt McGloin will be the starting quarterback for Penn State this season. Head coach Bill O'Brien made that decision over the summer, after spring practices so this is no surprise.

What may be a bit of a surprise (or not) may be the fact that true freshman Steven Bench has come to camp and worked his way into a potential backup role almost immediately. Bench and Paul Jones could split the backup duties when called upon.

Running Back and Fullback

Running Backs

1. Bill Belton
2. Derek Day
3. Akeel Lynch OR Zach Zwinak OR Curtis Dukes

After Silas Redd transferred to USC, the top running job seemed to be Bill Belton's to lose. Bill O'Brien has spoken highly of Belton from the start and now he will be expected to carry the load on offense.

The position has some young potential with Belton and Akeel Lynch, and veteran players Derek Day and Curtis Dukes could keep things stable. Keep an eye on Zach Zwinak.

Fullbacks

1. Michael Zordich
2. Pat Zerbe

Michael Zordich was pretty much locked in to the starting fullback position and the senior will look to give the young running corps a solid leader on offense.

Wide Receiver

Wide Receiver 1

1. Allen Robinson
2. Eugene Lewis
3. Matt Zanellato

Wide Receiver 2

1. Shawney Kersey OR Trevor Williams
2. Christian Kuntz OR Brandon Moseby-Felder

Wide Receiver 3

1. Alex Kenney OR Evan Lewis
2. Malik Golden OR Jonathan Warner

With Justin Brown transferring to Oklahoma and Devon Smith cut from the team over the summer, the wide receiver position is full of unknowns and perhaps some potential. The young faces will have to step up and they will be given plenty of opportunities to perform.

The word "or" appears a lot in this section, but some of the names you should be most familiar with include Allen Robinson, Shawney Kersey and Alex Kenney. These three players figure to see the most plying time early on.

Tight End

"Y" Tight End

1. Garry Gilliam
2. Jesse James

"F" Tight End

1. Kyle Carter
2. Brian Irvin
3. Brent Wilkerson

The tight end position will be the focus of the Bill O'Brien offense, with two positions designed to serve a different purpose.

The "Y" tight end will be more athletic and given tougher routes and assignments. That responsibility first goes to Garry Gilliam. The blocking and short-route assignments for the "F" tight end will first go through Kevin Carter.

Expect all of these players to be given some playing time, though, to see who best handles the position against actual opponents when it matters most.

Offensive Line

Left Guard

1. Miles Dieffenbach
2. Angelo Mangiro
3. Anthony Alosi

Left Tackle

1. Donovan Smith
2. Nate Cadogan

Center

1. Matt Stankiewitch
2. Angelo Mangiro
3. Wendy Laurent

Right Guard

1. John Urschel
2. Eric Shrive
3. Frank Figueroa

Right Tackle

1. Mike Farrell OR Adam Gress
2. Kevin Blanchard

One thing that stands out about Penn State's offensive line is that the veteran players are stacked up on the right side of the line.

If Mike Farrell gets the nod at right tackle, Penn State's three senior linemen will all be on the right side of the line, leaving McGloin's blind side being protected by a redshirt sophomore and junior.

Defensive Line

Defensive End

1. Deion Barnes OR Pete Massaro
2. Anthony Zettel

Defensive End

1. Sean Stanley
2. C.J. Olaniyan

Defensive Tackle

1. Jordan Hill
2. Kyle Baublitz

Defensive Tackle

1. DaQuan Jones OR James Terry
2. Austin Johnson

The defensive line will be led by Jordan Hill, who is the next big defensive linemen in line after Devon Still. Hill made a name for himself last season as well, so opposing offensive line coaches will surely be on notice.

Look for defensive end Pete Massaro to try and get back to 100 percent at one of the defensive end positions following a season-ending injury last year before the season actually started.

Linebacker

Outside Linebacker

1. Gerald Hodges
2. Mike Hull

Middle Linebacker

1. Glenn Carson
2. Michael Yancich OR Nyeem Wartman

Outside Linebacker

1. Michael Mauti
2. Ben Kline

No surprises at linebacker, with last season's starters returning to their positions for 2012, including the return of injured Michael Mauti on the outside. Gerald Hodges anchors the other side and Glenn Carson remains the starter in the middle.

Before Khairi Fortt transferred to Cal, Carson may have seen split duties in the middle, but now he is expected to remain on the field more this fall.

Cornerback

Cornerback

1. Stephon Morris
2. Da'Quan Davis

Cornerback

1. Adrian Amos
2. Jesse Della Valle
3. Jordan Lucas

Penn State's secondary was hit hard by graduation, not transfers.

The defensive backfield overall will remain one of the biggest questions on the team this season, but having Stephon Morris return should add some sense of leadership and perhaps some stability. Adrian Amos showed some positive signs as a freshman last year and is expected to be a dependable defensive back for the Nittany Lions in 2012.

Safety

Safety

1. Malcolm Willis
2. Ryan Kessler

Safety

1. Stephen Obeng-Agyapong OR Jake Fagnano

Penn State's safety position actually has some upperclassmen to call upon this fall, and that may be a good sign for the defense. But those taking over starting roles are unproven for the most part.

Malcolm Willis has shown some good signs before, but he now takes on a larger role. Stephen Obeng-Agyapong has also watched from the sidelines for most of his time at Penn State and will be ready to show what he can do.

Will the wait be worth it for these players who are now being given a chance to start?

Special Teams

Punter—Alex Butterworth

Kicker—Sam Ficken

Holder—Evan Lewis (pictured)

Kick Snapper—Emery Etter

While Bill O'Brien has not named any official kick or punt returners yet (he expects to play a number of players in those spots until finding something he can settle on), he has named his special teams players following the loss of Anthony Fera to Texas (transfer).

Sam Ficken saw some kicking duties early last season and struggled a little bit as a freshman. Alex Butterworth needs to improve with his leg strength to increase his net punting averages.

Kevin McGuire is the host of the No 2-Minute Warning podcast, managing editor of Nittany Lions Den and a member of the Football Writers Association of America and National Football Foundation. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.