Penn State Football: 5 Players Who Surprised Us and 5 Who Need to Step Up

Penn State finished the regular season 9-3, earning a Ticketcity Bowl berth against Houston.

The Nittany Lions had a shot at a Big Ten Championship game berth before falling to Wisconsin in their final regular season game.

All in all, this season was a success in Happy Valley.

Most of the Nittany Lions' success is because of their defense. The Nittany Lions were the No. 5 scoring defense in the country.

Their offense needed the help all season. They were No. 96 in passing and No. 110 in scoring offense.

Despite their abysmal offense, the Nittany Lions have several bright spots on both sides of the ball. They also have several players who need to step up if the Nittany Lions wish to improve next season.

Here are five players who surprised us this season, and five who need to take their game up a notch next season.

Curtis Dukes

Curtis Dukes performed very well this season in limited action.

The bruising sophomore back saw duty as Silas Redd's backup throughout the season.

He had 41 carries for 237 yards and one touchdown. Not huge numbers, but solid in supplementary duty. He averaged over five yards per carry, which is considerable because of his 230-plus-pound frame.

Dukes won't start next season, but the departure of Stephfon Green leaves a hole in the backfield.

Brandon Beachum will also be absent in the Nittany Lions depth chart, leaving a hole in terms of power. Dukes is more talented, and provides more burst through the line of scrimmage.

Redd will provide the lightning and the production next season. Look for Dukes to provide the thunder and punch at the goal line.

Devon Still

Devon Still has always had potential. However, his production this season is stunning.

The senior defensive tackle finished the year with 49 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss. Yes, 14 is typed correctly.

Still was a menace on the interior of a very solid Nittany Lions front four. He wreaked havoc, and commanded consistent double teams. Even if he didn't make the play, he allowed others to fly to the ball while he ate up space.

He was a finalist for the Bednarik Award this season, and deservedly so.

Penn State will miss Still's dominant presence in the middle of their daunting defense.

Gerald Hodges

Gerald Hodges was arguably Penn State's best defensive player this season. It's tough to argue against Devon Still, but with Michael Mauti's injury, Hodges became vital to Nittany Lions' success.

Hodges finished the year with 88 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He also had a forced fumble and an interception.

He had four games of 10-plus tackles, highlighted by a 19-tackle performance against Illinois.

Hodges' sideline-to-sideline presence was exciting for the Nittany Lions defense this season. He provides speed and athleticism to a great linebacking core.

After Mauti went down with an injury, the Nittany Lions defense could have fallen off. Instead they rose to the occasion, thanks in large part to players like Hodges.

Adrian Amos

Adrian Amos entered this season as a relatively unknown freshman out of Maryland.

However, Amos played well in the time he was given this season. His 11 tackles and one interception do not look like much, but he made solid progress nonetheless.

Amos stepped up with D'Anton Lynn injured, and that experience should help him heading into next season. He has the physical makeup and ball skills to be a very solid cornerback in the Big Ten.

Penn State will need to fill Lynn's shoes next season. Amos will be in the running to nab that starting spot.

Glenn Carson

Glenn Carson's play before the season prompted the Nittany Lions staff to start him at middle linebacker and bump Michael Mauti to the outside.

Don't expect that to change heading into next season.

Carson is still young, and racked up 66 tackles in the middle this season. He showed great instincts, and understands how to diagnose opposing offenses.

He is not a tremendous athlete, but he reads and reacts to plays very well. His intuitiveness is reminiscent of many past Penn State linebackers.

Mauti's injury left the Nittany Lions searching for a leader to emerge in the middle. Carson did that this season, and should carry that over into next season.

Paul Jones

No, Paul Jones hasn't played a snap for Penn State in his career. However, a new coaching staff may want to utilize his abilities immediately next season.

Jones lost his 2011 season to academic eligibility issues. If he can keep himself on the field this season, he may have a real chance at starting at quarterback.

Matt McGloin is certainly not the answer, and Rob Bolden may not be on campus next season. That leaves Jones.

Talent-wise, he is the best option. He has the size and arm needed to efficiently run the Penn State attack. Under a new head coach he will have a chance at a fresh start.

Penn State needs a quarterback above all else. If Jones can emerge, Penn State could have a better season in 2012.

Justin Brown

Justin Brown must replace Derek Moye as Penn State's No. 1 receiving threat next season.

This season Brown had 34 catches for 448 yards and a touchdown. He has excellent size, and provides a solid possession option underneath.

Brown does have problems holding on to the ball at times. If that improves he can be an above-average option for the Penn State offense.

Brown will benefit from the maturation of other Penn State receivers, including touted freshman Eugene Lewis.

Jordan Hill

Jordan Hill doesn't need to step up his production next season, but he does need to emerge as a leader on Penn State's interior.

Hill had 53 tackles and over three sacks this season. He is very explosive, and benefited from Devon Still's presence next to him.

Next season Still will be gone, and Hill must become the man in the middle for the Nittany Lions. His production, and ability to take on blockers, will be very important to the Penn State defense.

If Hill plays to his potential next season he will quickly emerge as one of the most feared defensive lineman in the Big Ten.

Malcolm Willis

Malcolm Willis must soften the loss of senior safeties Nick Sukay and Drew Astorino in the Penn State secondary next season.

This year Willis had 22 tackles and an interception. His production will need to be bigger as he takes on a starting role.

Willis is a physical presence in run support, but he must work on his quickness and instincts in the passing game. If he can, he will catch people's attention right away.

Based on talent, Willis has what it takes to make a big impact for Penn State. However, he must also become a leader on the back end with the loss of Astorino.

Sean Stanley

Sean Stanley is undersized up front, but talented nonetheless.

With the loss of Eric Latimore and Jack Crawford for the Nittany Lions, Stanley will need to emerge as a premier pass rusher in Happy Valley.

This season Stanley had over 20 tackles and four-plus sacks. He also have five tackles for a loss.

Stanley has the ability, but he will need to execute that ability on a more consistent basis next year.

He will receive help; Pete Massaro will return from injury next year and will provide an immediate boost on the Nittany Lions defensive line.

Look for Stanley to have a big senior season.