The Future

The future for Penn State is looking pretty bright.  Take a look a complete analysis for the 2002 season.

OFFENSE

Wide receiver

Projected starters: Bryant Johnson (senior, 6-foot-2, 203 pounds) 51 receptions, 866 receiving yards in 2001. Tony Johnson (junior, 5-foot-11, 198 pounds) 27 receptions, 504 receiving yards in 2001.
Others competing for playing time: Gerald Smith (redshirt sophomore, 5-foot-10, 183 pounds), Matt Kranchick (redshirt junior, 6-foot-6, 224 pounds), Scott Shirley (redshirt junior, 5-foot-10, 190 pounds)
Analysis: Johnson and Johnson are locks to keep their spots, the only real battle will be for whoever sees time in the limited role of third wide receiver. Kranchick's size and athletic ability probably give him the inside track.

 

Tight end

Projected starter: R.J. Luke (redshirt senior, 6-foot-3, 236 pounds) 12 receptions, 207 yards in 2001.
Others competing for playing time: Casey Williams (redshirt junior, 5-foot-11, 239 pounds), Andrew Richardson (sophomore, 6-foot-6, 240 pounds), Mike Lukac (redshirt junior, 6-foot-2, 240 pounds).
Analysis: Luke has probably sown up the starting job with a strong performance in place of and alongside John Gilmore. The Lions use two tight ends frequently, and Casey Williams should move into the role Luke occupied this season.

 

Tackle

Projected starters: Chris McKelvy (junior, 6-foot-3, 325 pounds) started eight games in 2001. Matt Schmitt (redshirt senior, 6-foot-4, 290 pounds) started three games in 2001.
Others competing for playing time: Damone Jones (redshirt junior, 6-foot-4, 306 pounds), Nick Marmo (redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-5, 287 pounds), John Wilson (sophomore, 6-foot-8, 318 pounds).
Analysis: McKelvy played his way into Schmitt's starting job and stayed there, he should start at right tackle again. Schmitt has the best chance to start on the other side, but is no lock depending upon the progress of Jones and Wilson.

 

Guard

Projected starters: Tyler Lenda (redshirt senior, 6-foot-3, 278 pounds) started all 11 games in 2001. Scott Davis (redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-2, 277 pounds), saw action at guard in three games in 2001.
Others competing for playing time: Charles Rush (redshirt freshman, 6-foot-2, 285 pounds), Jonathon Nabavi (redshirt junior, 5-foot-10, 254 pounds), (Tyler Reed, redshirt freshman, 6-foot-5, 300 pounds).
Analysis: Lenda will be the most experienced lineman on the team next season, that combined with the improvement he displayed over the course o f the season should guarantee him a starting spot. Davis is in line for the other spot, but may have to fight Rush for the job.

 

Center

Projected starter: Joe Iorio (senior, 6-foot-3, 300 pounds), started all 11 games in 2001.
Others competing for playing time: Eric Rickenbach (senior, 6-foot-5, 288 pounds), David Costlow (redshirt junior, 6-foot-2, 272 pounds).
Analysis: The job belongs to Iorio, and he could blossom into a top-notch center with a full year's experience under his belt.

 

Quarterback

*Projected starter: Zack Mills (redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds) 127-for-230 for 1669 yards passing with nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2001.
Others competing for playing time: Matt Senneca (redshirt senior, 6-foot-3, 228 pounds) 54-for-126 for 755 yards passing with three touchdowns and five interceptions in 2001. Michael Robinson (redshirt freshman, 6-foot-3, 225 pounds).
Analysis: There will be no quarterback controversy. Short of Mills having an inconceivably bad training camp and Senneca having his dream camp, No. 7 will be under center for Penn State. Robinson should provide some competition for Senneca's No. 2 spot.

 

Tailback

*Projected starter: Larry Johnson (redshirt senior, 6-foot-2, 226 pounds) 337 rushing yards on 71 attempts, 136 receiving yards on 11 receptions in 2001.
Others competing for playing time: Pete Gilmore (redshirt sophomore, 5-foot-10, 206 pounds), Ricky Upton (redshirt junior, 6-foot, 238 pounds).
Analysis: This is the chance Johnson has been waiting for, his shot to carry the load as a featured back. Johnson has the ability, but if he isn't up to the challenge, Upton is waiting in the wings.

 

Fullback

Projected starter: Sean McHugh (junior, 6-foot-5, 257 pounds) Eight carries for 20 yards rushing, seven receptions for 47 yards receiving in 2001.
Others competing for playing time: Paul Jefferson (junior, 6-foot-1, 252 pounds) Six carries for 20 yards rushing, six receptions for 17 yards receiving in 2001.
Analysis: McHugh sold himself as more-than-dependable receiver out of the backfield, and should have prominent role in the Lions offense next season. Jefferson remains a more dependable blocker and ball-carrier, however, so he should see plenty of snaps as well.

 

DEFENSE

Defensive tackle

Projected starters: Jimmy Kennedy (redshirt senior, 6-foot-5, 335 pounds) 51 tackles, including 20 solos and eight for loss. Anthony Adams (redshirt senior, 6-foot, 297 pounds) 59 tackles, including 22 solos and 11 for loss.
Others competing for playing time: Tim Falls (redshirt senior, 6-foot-3, 280 pounds) 10 tackles in 2001. Tyler Valoczki (redshirt senior, 6-foot-4, 277 pounds) five tackles, including one sack in 2001.
Analysis: Kennedy and Adams should be one of the top tackle combos in the Big Ten. They are locked in as starters, while Falls and Valoczki both gained enough experience in 2001 to ensure they'll see the field in 2002.

 

Defensive end

Projected starters: Michael Haynes (redshirt senior, 6-foot-3, 263 pounds) 41 tackles, including four sacks and 11 total for loss in 2001. Sam Ruhe (junior, 6-foot-5, 257 pounds) 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three total for loss in 2001.
Others competing for playing time: Jeremiah Davis (redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-4, 251 pounds), Jason Crosby, (redshirt sophomore, 6-foot, 240 pounds), Matthew Rice (sophomore, 6-foot-6, 266 pounds).
Analysis: Haynes is the best pass rusher on the team and Ruhe was effective when he got the chance to play. More to the point, the Lions get very young very fast after the Haynes and Ruhe, they will have to shoulder the load.

 

Linebacker

Projected starters: Derek Wake (junior, 6-foot-3, 233 pounds) missed all but one game with a knee injury. Deryck Toles (redshirt junior, 6-foot, 208 pounds) 35 tackles, including 16 solos in 2001. LaMar Stewart (sophomore, 6-foot-1, 225 pounds) 32 tackles, including 17 solos and three sacks.
Others competing for playing time: Jimi Mitchell (redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-2, 203 pounds) six tackles, including five solos in 2001. Gino Capone (redshirt junior, 6-foot-1, 236 pounds) 16 tackles, including seven solos in 2001. Tim Johnson (redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-3, 226 pounds).
Analysis: Wake likely would have started all year on the outside this season. He and Capone will battle for the middle linebacker spot. If Capone wins, Wake could move outside where Toles needs to be periodically spelled because of a medical condition. Stewart may be too raw to start initially, but his athleticism and playmaking ability should ensure he doesn't sit too long.

 

Safety

Projected starters: Shawn Mayer (senior, 6-foot, 192 pounds) 97 tackles, including 56 solos, as well as an interception and two forced fumbles in 2001. Yaacov Yisrael (redshirt junior, 5-foot-11, 198 pounds) 71 tackles, including 47 solos, as well as an interception and nine passes broken up in 2001.
Others competing for playing time: Andrew Guman (sophomore, 6-foot-3, 207 pounds) 12 tackles, 10 solo in 2001. Jesse Neumyer (redshirt freshman, 6-foot, 208 pounds). C.J. Leone (redshirt senior, 5-foot-8, 180 pounds).
Analysis: Mayer may have been the top contributor on the Penn State defense this season, and Yisrael's grew more and more comfortable in coverage as the year went on. Both should have little trouble keeping their positions. Guman should benefit from some playing time this season and emerge as the top backup.

 

Cornerback

Projected starters: Bryan Scott (senior, 6-foot-2, 215 pounds) 82 tackles, including 62 solos, as well as eight passes broken up in 2001. Chris Harrell (sophomore, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds) six tackles, including three solos in 2001.
Others competing for playing time: Alan Zemaitis (redshirt freshman, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds), Eric Dare (redshirt junior, 5-foot-9, 185 pounds), Richard Gardner (redshirt junior, 5-foot-11, 178 pounds).
Analysis: Experience may be more important at cornerback than at any other defensive position, so look for Scott to retain his spot despite bouts with inconsistency. Harrell and Gardner both saw time in nickel coverage situations, and Dare has more experience than either. Harrell's athletic ability should give him the best shot in one of the more interesting off season races.

 

Specialists

Projected starters: Field goals --- Robbie Gould (sophomore, 6-foot, 160 pounds) 6-of-10 in field goals, 46-yard long in 2001. Kickoffs --- David Kimball (junior, 6-foot-2, 196 pounds). Punter --- David Royer (redshirt senior, 6-foot-3, 205 pounds) 40.6 yards-per punt average in 2001.
Others competing for playing time: Punter --- Woody Schmidt (sophomore, 6-foot-3, 198 pounds).
Analysis: Gould punted well enough to maintain his position, while head coach Joe Paterno seems comfortable with Gould on field goals and Kimball on kickoffs. Kimball has the stronger leg, and if he impresses in training camp, he could still reclaim the place kicking duties.

*  =  keys to Penn States success

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