Penn State Football: The Two-Deep at Every Position
No decisions on Penn State's depth chart will be released until later in the summer, but with spring practices complete the time to start thinking about the roster in 2011 begins now. Here is a look at what the two-deep depth chart could look like when the program releases an initial depth chart for the 2011 season.
Kevin McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com. Follow his college football discussion on Twitter @CFBExaminer.
Penn State Quarterbacks
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1. Rob Bolden (pictured)
2. Matt McGloin
Let us use an assumption that Robert Bolden will remain a Nittany Lion next season, instead of following through on a previous desire to transfer to another program. If Bolden sticks with Penn State he can offer more talent behind center than Matt McGloin. With a full spring practice season giving Bolden a better grasp of how things work on the offense, it would make sense to believe that Bolden will show signs of improvement in his second collegiate season.
If Bolden opts to transfer then it becomes a much different story. McGloin would probably be more likely to be named the starter over redshirt freshman Paul Jones.
Joe Paterno recently said that the starting quarterback had a 99 percent chance to be either Bolden or McGloin.
Penn State Running Backs
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1. Silas Redd (pictured)
2. Stephfon Green
All eyes are on sophomore Silas Redd, who has the build to be a very imposing running back. Reminiscent of some of the bigger running backs in Penn State's history, Redd has fans excited about the future of the backfield. He figures to be the leading candidate for the most playing time but Stephfon Green is looking to wrap up his Penn State career on a high note after seeing his role diminished a bit over the past season and a half.
Redd was listed higher than Green on the depth chart by the end of the 2010 season, sitting behind Evan Royster even before the Outback Bowl. With Royster gone, Redd and Green should each be bumped up a spot on the depth chart.
Penn State Wide Receivers
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Wide Receiver One
1. Derek Moye
2. Brandon Moseby-Felder
Wide Receiver Two
1. Justin Brown (pictured)
2. Andrew Goodman
Wide Receiver Three
1. Devon Smith
2. Shawney Kersey
The wide receiver position has three names that can be solidly expected to be starting or seeing a significant number of playing time.
Derek Moye, one of the offensive captains, Justin Brown and Devon Smith all will be counted on to lead the passing game regardless of the quarterback situation. There are not any great game-breakers in the bunch, although Smith has the speed to get by defenders in the open field, so expect more of a ball control passing game in 2011.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Penn State Tight Ends
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1. Kevin Haplea (pictured)
2. Nate Cadogan
This is not exactly the good old days with Kyle Brady lining up on the end for Kerry Collins. The tight end position has long been one of the top positions for the Penn State offense and the injury bug has really taken a toll on the tight ends in recent memory. This season looks to have Kevin Haplea starting and Nate Cadogan serving as the first reserve. The two may alternate on certain plays as well.
Penn State Offensive Line
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Left Tackle
1.Quinn Barham
2.Mike Farrell
Left Guard
1.Johnnie Troutman (pictured)
2.Adam Gress
Center
1.Ty Howle
2. Matt Stankiewitch
Right Guard
1.John Urschel
2. Mark Arcidiacono
Right Tackle
1.DeOn'tae Pannell
2. Eric Shrive
The entire offensive line will need to improve in 2010 and it must find a way to be stable from the start of the season. Stefen Wisniewski is gone but John Urschel has been reported to have done well in spring practices. This is just a guess at how the offensive line could look. The wide open competition on the line could result in a vastly different look than presented here.
Penn State Defensive Line
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Left End
1.Kevion Latham
2. Sean Stanley
Left Tackle
1. Jordan Hill
2. DaQuan Jones (pictured)
Right Tackle
1. Devon Still
2. Brandon Ware
Right End
1. Jack Crawford
2. Eric Lattimore
The spring was unkind to the defensive line. Defensive end Pete Massaro suffered his second career ACL injury and is already lost for the entire 2011 season and Jack Crawford and Eric Lattimore nursed some nagging injuries for most of the spring.
The spring was a positive one for Brandon Ware and Jordan Hill though, but what kind of impact might they have during the regular season?
Penn State Linebackers
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Outside Linebacker
1. Khairi Fortt
2. Nate Stupar (pictured)
Middle Linebacker
1. Michael Mauti
2. Mike Hull (pictured)
Outside Linebacker
1. Gerald Hodges
2. Michael Yancich
With Nate Stupar rebounding form injury last season Khairi Fortt took most of the first-string snaps at outside linebacker along side Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges. If Stupar is back to 100 percent he could regain the starting job but Fortt had a solid spring and a good showing in the Blue White game so he could be on his way to being named a starter in 2011.
If they can stay healthy Penn State will have a decent crop of linebackers next season.
Penn State Cornerbacks
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Left Cornerback
1. Chaz Powell (pictured)
2. Stephfon Morris
Right Cornerback
1.D'Anton Lynn
2. Mike Wallace
Chaz Powell and D'Anton Lynn will probably be the top two guys at this position, although Stephfon Morris will also see a significant role, mostly alternating time with Powell. Powell was listed first on the depth chart for the Outback Bowl, with Morris right behind him. If the defensive line and linebackers improve, the play of the secondary should improve as well.
Penn State Safeties
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Free Safety
1. Malcolm Willis (pictured)
2. Stephen Obeng-Agyapong
Hero
1. Andrew Dailey
2. Ryan Keiser
The positions of free safety and hero may not be the deepest for Penn State, but we'll wait to see how they play in a game atmosphere. The middle of the defensive secondary is a bit untested so there will be plenty of on-the-job training going on in 2011.
Penn State Special Teams
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Kicker
1.Evan Lewis
2.Anthony Fera
Punter
1. Anthony Fera
2. Alex Butterworth
Kick Returner
1.Devon Smith
2. Chaz Powell
Punt Returner
1. Justin Brown
2. Devon Smith
The special teams return game should be placed in some familiar hands, with wide receivers Devon Smith and Justin Brown splitting the punt return duties and Smith and Chaz Powell the most likely to be returning kickoffs. If Stephfon Green struggles on offense don't be surprised to see him reappear on special teams duties in 2011 as well as a possible returner.
A healthty Anthony Fera should be back to handle the punting and Evan Lewis looks to take over the place kicking responsibilities unless Fera can get his accuracy to improve.
Kevin McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com. Follow his college football discussion on Twitter @CFBExaminer.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
