Penn State Football: 10 Players to Watch Next Season

Penn State's 2011 regular season has come and gone. Despite their January 2 TicketCity Bowl matchup, it is not too early to look ahead to next season.

The Nittany Lions must replace talent on both sides of the ball next season. Their secondary will feature many new faces as will their offensive line.

Other units, like the defensive line and linebacking core, will continue to lead this team.

Whether it's filling a new role, entering the spotlight or breaking out in a big way, there are many players to watch in Happy Valley next year.

Here are 10 players to pay attention to when Penn State takes the field:

Bill Belton

Bill Belton was a quarterback at Winslow Township High School. However, Penn State moved him to wide receiver when he arrived on the Nittany Lion campus.

Although he is listed as a wide out, Belton is an all-around weapon on the Penn State offense.

He has above average speed and great lateral quickness in the open field. His ability to cut on a dime makes him a very dangerous player out of the Wildcat formation.

Considering Penn State's use of the Wildcat in the final two games of the regular season, fans should anticipate seeing it again next season.

Either way, Belton will get touches next season, and he will be fun to watch when given the opportunity.

Eugene Lewis

Eugene Lewis is a freshman to watch next season, assuming he signs his Letter of Intent with the Nittany Lions.

Lewis played some quarterback in high school, but he will be used as a wide receiver at the college level. Based on athleticism, Lewis could compete for playing time from the get-go.

He does not possess elite speed, but he has noteworthy vision in the open field. If he can polish his route running and add weight to his frame, he will be a big-time threat.

The Nittany Lions lose Derek Moye to graduation after this season.

Lewis will not provide Moye's presence immediately, but with time and a competent quarterback, he could make a name for himself in Happy Valley sooner rather than later.

Curtis Dukes

Brandon Beachum and Stephfon Green will both depart Penn State after this season. That leaves two gaping holes on the running back depth chart.

Curtis Dukes will assume the role of Silas Redd's backup. His limited experience in 2011 will help him fill that role efficiently.

Dukes provides Beachum's power potential, but lacks Green's breakaway speed.

Redd is going to need someone to share carries next season. He doesn't have the durability to shoulder the massive load laid on the running game's shoulders by Penn State's dismal passing attack.

Dukes should provide a solid change of pace in the Nittany Lion backfield. He runs well between the tackles and has a solid burst through the line of scrimmage.

Expect Dukes to provide some thunder to Redd's lightning.

Pete Massaro

Pete Massaro missed the entire 2011 season with a torn ACL. In 2010, Massaro was a starter and should be again heading into next season.

Massaro is a solid presence off the edge of Penn State's defensive line. He was arguably Penn State's best pass rusher in 2010.

Eric Latimore and Jack Crawford will both be absent from Penn State's defensive line next season.

Sean Stanley returns and should have a breakout year. However, he could use some help from the other side.

Massaro will be a welcome addition back into the Nittany Lion defensive fold. He brings leadership and production to the table immediately.

Khairi Fortt

Khairi Fortt should see extended playing time next season with the graduation of Nate Stupar.

Fortt is still going to see a backup's role, but his talent could force the Nittany Lion coaching staff to give him the nod.

He has great speed and athleticism, but he does need to work on his open-field tackling.

Michael Mauti will be back from injury next season. Gerald Hodges and Glenn Carson will continue to fill their starting roles, but Fortt and Mike Hull should be key backups among Penn State's linebacker unit.

The Nittany Lions seem to grow linebackers on trees. Fortt is no different, and neither are the players he competes with.

Paul Jones

If you talk to a die-hard Penn State fan about their quarterback situation, most will whisper Paul Jones' name with a hint of excitement.

Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden both saw time as the starting quarterback for Penn State this season. Neither are capable long-term options, and McGloin is barely a short-term option.

With a new coaching staff likely in place for Penn State, Jones could wind up getting the nod behind center.

He was academically ineligible this season, but Jones could turn over a new leaf under a new regime.

Based on talent, Jones is better than both Bolden and McGloin. If he can keep his head on straight and create chemistry with Penn State's skill players, Penn State's offensive situation could be looking up.

Malcolm Willis

Malcolm Willis must shoulder a pretty hefty load next season for the Nittany Lions.

Both Nick Sukay and Drew Astorino graduate after this season and will need to be replaced in the secondary.

Willis will be counted on to provide leadership and production from his safety position.

The Nittany Lions should feel comfortable with Willis taking the reins on the back end of their defense. He has starting experience and has shown flashes of brilliance in his brief stints as Sukay's replacement.

Astorino and Sukay weren't elite players, but they were veteran leaders for the Penn State defense. Their presence will be missed in the secondary.

Willis will give the Nittany Lions a smooth transition in the secondary despite the loss of their  leaders.

Adrian Amos

Adrian Amos emerged as a presence in the secondary this season with the injury to D'Anton Lynn.

Lynn did come back, but Amos gained valuable starting experience while Lynn was sidelined.

Amos will be a sophomore next season and should fight for playing time either as a starter, or as a nickel back on the Penn State defense.

He has a solid 6'0'' frame and showed physicality in the rugged Big Ten during his freshman campaign.

Penn State's secondary loses three valuable assets after this season. Amos should fill his role nicely as next season rolls along.

Jordan Hill

Devon Still was a Bednarik Award finalist and the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.

He also graduates and will need to be replaced immediately on Penn State's defensive front.

Lucky for Penn State, Jordan Hill already has starting experience and is primed for a breakout season in 2012.

Hill has explosiveness at the point of attack and commands multiple bodies to slow him down. He is a run-stuffing presence as well as an explosive pass rusher when let free.

He could have a breakout year similar to Still's 2011 season in 2012. No, it isn't just because their names rhyme.

Look for Jordan Hill to grab Happy Valley's attention early on, as well as the rest of the Big Ten's.

Matt Stankiewitch

Chima Okoli, DeOn'tae Pannell, Johnnie Troutman and Quinn Barham all graduate from Penn State's offensive line after this season.

That leaves center Matt Stankiewitch as Penn State's most experienced offensive lineman heading into next year.

Given Penn State's questionable offense in 2011, a shaky offensive line in 2012 is a scary thought for Penn State faithful.

Stankiewitch will need to provide stability and leadership up front.

If the offensive line does not gel quickly, Silas Redd will struggle to run the ball successfully. This will put more of an onus on the Penn State passing attack, and no Penn State fan is ready to watch that.