EARLY BIRD 2010 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2009
PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS
OFFENSE - 8
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Daryll Clark-QB, Andrew Quarless-TE, Mickey Shuler-TE, Dennis Landolt-OT, Ako Poti-OT
DEFENSE: Jerome Hayes-DE, Jared Odrick-DT, Sean Lee-OLB, Josh Hull-ILB, A.J. Wallace-CB, Knowledge Timmons-CB, Jeremy Boone-P, Navorro Bowman-OLB (NFL)
Running Back / Offensive Line

Senior Heisman Candidate Evan Royster, running downhill behind a veteran group of blockers led by one of the best centers in college football (Stefan Wisniewski) – well, that just smells like a Big Ten contender.

Quarterback

No matter who wins the starting QB job, the inexperience factor is sure to cause growing pains in the passing department. Don’t be surprised to see rotating signal callers if no one stands out.

RB Evan Royster
 
S Drew Astorino
 
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2010 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
PENN STATE 2010 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Kevin Newsome-So Matt McGloin-So
TB Evan Royster-Sr Stephfon Green-Jr / Joe Suhey-Jr
WR Derek Moye-Jr Brett Brackett-Sr
WR Chaz Powell-Jr Curtis Drake-So
WR Graham Zug-Sr Devon Smith-So
TE Andrew Szczerba-Jr ..
OT .. ..
OG Johnnie Troutman-Jr Matt Stankiewitch-So
C Stefen Wisniewski-Sr ..
OG Lou Eliades-Sr ..
OT DeOn'tae Pannell-Jr ..
K Collin Wagner-Sr ..
 
PENN STATE 2010 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Eric Latimore-Jr ..
DT Jordan Hill-So ..
DT Ollie Ogbu-Sr Devon Still-Jr
DE Jack Crawford-Jr ..
OLB Bani Gbadyu-Sr ..
ILB Chris Colasanti-Sr ..
OLB Nate Stupar-Jr ..
CB .. ..
CB D'Anton Lynn-Jr Stephon Morris-So
S Nick Sukay-Jr Cedric Jeffries-Sr
S Drew Astorino-Jr Andrew Dailey-Jr
P Collin Wagner-Sr ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

12/8/09
Although Penn State will be breaking in a new QB, the depth chart appears to give the new guy a platform built for success. A very good offensive line, one that opens holes and protects the passer nicely, should do wonders for these creditable RBs and in turn for the new QB(s) too. The candidates under center: Kevin Newsome is the sprinter and former captain of his high school track and field team; Matt McGloin is the Scranton native who threw for 5,485 career prep yards. The most important cog for this team, however, will be RB Evan Royster. Does he stay or go (to the NFL)? Here, he would easily be the premier ball carrier in this conference and would likely dot the VIP list of early Heisman candidates. Like many Big Ten powers, the Nittany Lions live or die with defense, and this upcoming campaign will be no different. Linebacker U. with Navorro Bowman a frontrunner for the Butkus Award is still the norm, and the defensive line has three players with solid starting experience. PSU is a borderline Top 10 team. However, without a ton of star power, they are also a few NFL departures away from being just a Top 25 type of team. Joe Paterno may not be knocking at the national championship door in his later years but his squad is quite capable of stamping a ticket to Pasadena for New Year's Day.

 

PENN STATE
2010 SCHEDULE

Sep. 4 Youngstown State
Sep. 11 at Alabama
Sep. 18 Kent State
Sep. 25 Temple
Oct. 2 at Iowa
Oct. 9 Illinois
Oct. 23 at Minnesota
Oct. 30 Michigan
Nov. 6 Northwestern
Nov. 13 at Ohio State
Nov. 20 vs. Indiana @Landover, MD
Nov. 27 Michigan State