Penn State Football: Storylines Aplenty as Spring Practice Approaches

Penn State football will hit the practice field to officially start the second year of Bill O’Brien’s tenure in Happy Valley on March 18. Offseason workouts with strength and conditioning coach Craig Fitzgerald have already yielded results as players all across the depth chart have benefited from a second year under Fitzgerald’s program.

With less than two weeks from Penn State’s first practice, it’ll soon be time to put those results to the test in what is sure to be an intense practice period.

Every season brings with it plenty of storylines. Most of them occur organically as the season progresses but there are at least a few of them already.

1. Off the Bench? With incoming freshman Christian Hackenberg out of the picture until the summer it’s hard to imagine the quarterback race being decided before the highly-touted freshman gets a few snaps under center. While O’Brien named McGloin the starter by the end of spring practice his reluctance to do so this year means he’s interested in giving the Fork Union native a shot. Makes sense.

Steven Bench and incoming junior college transfer Tyler Ferguson will most likely be Hackenberg’s competition. Bench has the advantage of a year in O’Brien’s system, Ferguson has the advantage of having most-recently played. Either way don’t expect the race to be anywhere near done by the time Blue White weekend rolls around.

“I will say this about the quarterback position,” O’Brien said at his Signing Day press conference. “Those guys, Christian, Steven Bench, Tyler Ferguson, any one of those guys could be our starting quarterback against Syracuse, no question about it.  Don’t expect me to really name a starting quarterback at the end of spring practice.  I might, but I might not.  Understand that.”

2. Fresh Impressions? Penn State sits firmly in its second year under NCAA sanctions meaning it’s all hands on deck to contribute with a limited roster. Subsequently a few freshman faces might have a chance to make an impact right away. O’Brien says he won’t use players who aren’t ready, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t giving some of them serious consideration. Wideout DaeSean Hamilton could be a name to watch, tight end Adam Breneman is another obvious name to keep in mind although Penn State’s extreme depth at tight end makes Breneman’s immediate impact less necessary.  

3. The Butler on The Sideline with The Playbook? With defensive coordinator Ted Roof headed out the door after his first season, the promotion of defensive back’s coach John Butler puts a new face behind the helm of the Nittany Lion defense. The high energy, hands-on coach has been around the program for a year and is well-versed in the defensive workings. Butler will have the likes of Ron Vanderlinden and Larry Johnson to help him in the transition, but it should be smooth sailings either way.

“Coach Butler, he’s a very smart coach,” defensive back Adrian Amos said this offseason. “Before he got the job he knew what everybody was supposed to do. When I was in the meeting room with him he’d tell me what the linebackers were supposed to do and what the defensive line was suppose to do. It wasn’t a surprise to me when he got the job.”

“He’s a competitor, he’ll do whatever he needs to do to get what he needs to get from you. Some people need more push, he’s animated, he’s out there running around yelling and screaming.”

4. Step Up? Penn State lost plenty of leaders this offseason to graduation. While the likes of Michael Zordich and Michael Mauti will never be replaced, players will need to step up on and off the field to fill those roles. Offensive guard John Urschel has stepped up in some areas but he won’t be the only one. Defensive back Adrian Amos is one of the most versatile secondary players Penn State has had in years, not a particularly outspoken player, the Supa Six member might lead more with his play than anything else.  

With openings in the linebacker position it’ll be a competition to see who will be next to carry the Linebacker U mantel. Senior Glenn Carson will likely take over the unit but the likes of Mike Hull and Ben Kline aren’t to be forgotten.

5. First and Second Chances? Running back Bill Belton, who by all accounts is happy in Happy Valley, will look to find his role in the offense after Zach Zwinak made a name for himself last season. State College native Alex Kenney was poised for a breakout season but saw a limited role following what O’Brien vaguely described as a few practice intensity issues. Kenney has the speed (fastest 40 on the team) and the hands to make an impact, he’ll likely look to earn his role this season. Running back Akeel Lynch will also be in the mix with Belton and could provide an interesting wrinkle out of the backfield after his redshirt season.

6. Is he for real? There isn’t any doubt that O’Brien earned his coach of the year honors, there also isn’t any doubt that having leaders like Mauti and Zordich to help him along the way made some parts of his job easier. As the training wheels come off for O’Brien, he and fans alike will learn more and more about who they have at them helm. All indications are that O’Brien is thriving in his element, but for better or worse second and third years can be telling.

Penn State is looking to play harder, better, faster, and stronger in 2013. Many of these storylines will be key to accomplishing that goal.