Penn State Football: 5 Most Important Players in the 2011 Recruiting Class

Heading into 2011 the Penn State Nittany Lions have the 35th ranked recruiting class, according to rivals.com.

Littered with four star prospects,  the Nittany Lions have assembled a solid recruiting haul without bringing in a marquee name.

While the Nittany Lions look to improve on a disappointing 2010 season, these reinforcements will add more depth to a program looking to re-establish itself in the national college football picture.

Whether they take a redshirt, or see the field in 2011, here are the five most important recruits heading to Happy Valley in 2011:

5. Bill Belton, Athlete

Bill Belton was a dual-threat quarterback at Winslow Township High School in Atco, New Jersey.

Despite standing only 5'9'', Belton was able to pass for over 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns during his senior season. On top of that, Belton was also able to run for 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Belton could provide the Nittany Lions with a valuable option on the return team, or perhaps a worthy athlete in the mold of a Devon Smith.

Belton may be undersized, but his numbers make his ability in the open field hard to argue.

He may take a redshirt and almost definitely will never line up at quarterback, but expect Belton to be on the field in some capacity for the Nittany Lions in the next few years.

4. Shawn Oakman, Defensive End

Rated as the 18th best strongside defensive end in the country by rivals.com, Shawn Oakman will provide important depth to a Nittany Lions team looking for a difference maker up front.

Coming out of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, Oakman is a mammoth 6'8'' and 240 pounds. His size could enable him to see the field earlier than may be suggested.

During his junior season, Oakman was able to rack up 116 tackles, 17 sacks and also managed to haul in five touchdowns through the air on offense.

Oakman comes into Penn State as a four-star prospect, and unlike Belton he should at least be dressed and ready to play in his first season.

With the lack of a disruptive force up front for the Nittany Lions, Joe Paterno will need depth and big bodies to eat up blocks.

Oakman could provide that big body earlier than some people may expect.

3. Deion Barnes, Defensive End

Coming in alongside Shawn Oakman is another defensive end.

Deion Barnes hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is rated the sixth best weakside defensive end in the nation according to rivals.com.

During his junior season, Barnes had 64 tackles and 25 tackles for a loss.

The playing time situation for Barnes entering Happy Valley is similar to that of Oakman, because of the need for big, athletic bodies in the front four for the Nittany Lions.

The 6'5'' 220 pound defenseive end, chose Penn State over the likes of the Georgia Bulldogs and the South Carolina Gamecocks, so the national publicity was there for the disruptive bookend.

Look for Barnes to possibly see playing time his first year in the blue and white, and for that playing time to increase as he develops throughout his career.

2. Donovan Smith, Offensive Tackle

Donovan Smith will likely be buried deep in the offensive line depth chart in 2011, but Smith will be an impact player before his career is over.

Smith, hailing from Owings Mills, Maryland, is the ninth ranked offensive tackle in the 2011 class.

Coming in at 6'5'' and 270 pounds, Smith is not necessarily ready to contribute immediately for the Nittany Lions but the Penn State coaches will work hard to develop this high-upside talent.

Described as a player with good body weight and the versatility to play multiple positions, Smith is a talented player that will likely see a redshirt in 2011. However, his importance will be felt in the next few years as he works his way into the starting lineup.

1. Anthony Zettel, Defensive End

Perhaps the most sought after recruit in the 2011 recruiting class for the Nittany Lions is strongside defensive end Anthony Zettel.

Coming out of Ogemaw Heights High School in West Branch, Michigan, Zettel is a force coming off the edge.

Rated as the sixth best strongside defensive end, and the 65th recruit in the nation, Zettel is a recruit with national recognition.

Described by rivals.com as a young Grant Wistrom, Zettel has tremendous quickness and is still strong enough to stuff the run. He recorded 113 tackles and seven sacks during his senior season.

He is the type of player that could see playing time in some capacity during his freshman season and will most likely become a major contributor in the coming years for the Nittany Lions.

Stealing Zettel from Big Ten foe Michigan's backyard makes signing this playmaking defensive end an even sweeter deal for Joe Paterno and Penn State.