Penn State Football: 7 Players Who Could Make or Break Their Season

The Penn State Nittany Lions enter the 2011 season with several question marks. Many different players will get their opportunity to help answer these questions and allow the Nittany Lions to have a successful season.

The defense must get better against the run and be sure to stay healthy. Players must realize their potential and buy into Tom Bradley's complicated defensive scheme. In order for the defense to improve, certain players in the front seven, and also in the secondary, will also have to step up their production.

Offensively, the Nittany Lions have a lot of talent at the skill positions but have a major question at quarterback. The competition behind center will most likely last the duration of the season. If Joe Paterno can find an answer at quarterback and find continuity along the offensive line, the Nittany Lions should surprise the critics.

All in all, this is a very interesting Penn State season. The performances of a select few players could make or break this season.

Here are seven players the Nittany Lions hopes are riding high on:

Drew Astorino

Last season, Penn State strong safety Drew Astorino recorded 70 tackles and one interception.

This season, Astorino can help the Nittany Lions' run defense get back on track by continuing to play strong inside the box.

Astorino is a hard-nosed safety. He excels in run support. The Nittany Lions' secondary is their most experienced defensive unit, and senior Drew Astorino is a major part of that.

Tom Bradley has a lot of pride in his defensive standards, so do not expect the Nittany Lions to get run over, and around, in 2011. Astorino will be looking to improve on his 70 tackle mark from last season.

If he can improve his pass coverage skills, Astorino could develop into one of the Big Ten's most reliable safeties.

Justin Brown

Last season, the 6'3'' wide receiver Justin Brown caught 33 passes in a struggling Penn State offense.

If the Nittany Lions wish to improve this season, it will take an all-hands-on-deck effort.

Brown has the chance to have a breakout season in 2011, assuming the Nittany Lions can find an arm to get him the ball.

Star receiver Derek Moye plays opposite Brown in the Penn State offense. Because of the attention Moye will draw from opposing defenses, Brown will have plenty of chances to prove himself.

Brown's large frame allows him to be a substantial red zone target, but he has had problems holding onto the football in traffic.

The Nittany Lions have a solid array of weapons in the passing game. Brown and Moye supply large possession receivers while speedy Devon Smith can stretch the field underneath.

All of these weapons will need to fill their roles this season if the Nittany Lions wish to have a successful aerial attack.

If Brown can catch more than one touchdown this season, either Matt McGloin or Rob Bolden will have a very dangerous receiving duo.

Johnnie Troutman

Johnnie Troutman will need to be a leader on the interior of the offensive line in 2011. With the loss of Stefan Wisniewski to the NFL in the offseason, the Nittany Lions will need a new leader to emerge up front.

One of three returning starters up front, Troutman will be expected to take over for Wisniewski in terms of ability and leadership on offense.

The Nittany Lions will need success from their offensive line. The interior of the line, including Troutman, needs to make a better effort at firing off of the ball and getting a push up front. Doing so will allow sophomore Silas Redd to run the ball to the best of his ability, and also will allow the quarterback to feel comfortable in the pocket.

Troutman needs to improve in 2011 as both a run blocker and a pass blocker. His experience in the Penn State system should help him make the adjustment from starter to leader for Joe Paterno.

If the Penn State offense wants to have any chance this season, it all starts up front. Look for Troutman to play a more pronounced role this season.

Devon Still

Coming out of Howard High School in 2007, Devon Still was a highly-touted 4 star recruit.

Since his recruitment in 2007, Still has underachieved and never come close to his full potential in Happy Valley.

In 2011, the Nittany Lions are looking to scale down the 4.5 yards per carry opponents averaged last season. In order for that to happen, it all starts up front, especially in the middle.

Last season, Still had 39 tackles and recorded four sacks. He will need to improve on these numbers this season.

Still has good burst for his large frame and displays the ability to chase ball carriers down in the backfield. However, he needs to display the passion and drive to go with the talent if he wants to succeed in the blue-collar Big Ten.

The Nittany Lions need to replace departed defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu. The emergence of an underachiever like Still would be a major step in the right direction.

Michael Mauti

Last season, Michael Mauti recorded 66 tackles and two sacks despite battling injuries throughout the second half of the season.

If the Penn State defense wants to get back on its feet, Mauti may be the biggest key.

Every defense needs a player to control the action in the middle of the field. Mauti fits the mold. He conjures up memories of Sean Lee, Dan Connor and Paul Posluszny for Penn State faithful. He understands how to play his position, and has the tackling ability needed to make all of the plays.

Penn State has a reputation to uphold as "Linebacker U." Mauti could be the next piece in that puzzle if he can remain healthy for the entire season.

He has the talent to be an all-conference performer. How successful Tom Bradley's defense is this season will depend on how often Mauti is able to showcase those talents.

Silas Redd

Evan Royster departed Penn State for the NFL as Penn State's all-time leader in rushing yards. This season, it will fall on the shoulders of sophomore sensation Silas Redd to pick up where the consistent Royster left off.

In limited duty last season Redd managed to rattle off 437 yards and two touchdowns. At 5.7 yards per carry, Redd showcased his explosiveness and quickness every time he touched the ball.

He has a low center of gravity and understands how to keep his pad level below the defender in order to overpower defenders in the open field. He also has a big enough burst to get to the second and third levels of the defense and take it to the house.

Redd is a home run threat, and with the mystery surrounding the quarterback position, Penn State will need to lean on his legs early and often.

How well Redd handles his new responsibilities will determine how far Penn State's offense can sustain itself.

Robert Bolden

Robert Bolden, last season, went from anticipated freshman starter to a downtrodden young backup. After starting the first seven games of the season, Bolden was demoted to backup after an injury and so-so performances.

Bolden definitely has more talent than his five touchdowns last season may show. He has a strong arm, but he needs to work on reading his progressions and his accuracy on short and intermediate routes.

After seven interceptions in just seven starts last season, Bolden will also need to work on his decision making. However, some of those bad decisions can be attributed to youth and inexperience, while some are surely from mounting pressure to perform.

If the Nittany Lions want to finish higher than expected in the Big Ten this season, it goes without saying that a reliable signal-caller must emerge. The best bet in terms of talent and potential is still Bolden.

Penn State's success this season rides very heavily on the arm and mind of this young quarterback.