Blue White Illustrated

FILLINGbe A next to step up at Linebacker U? VOID Hodges and Mauti are gone. Who will the NAT E   BAU E R   Regardless of the Linebacker U moniker, the number of NFL-quality linebackers that Penn State has produced in recent years is remarkable to consider. NaVorro Bowman, a first-team All-Pro linebacker in San Francisco, locked up a $45.25 million contract with the 49ers in November and helped guide his team to the Super Bowl in February. Former teammate Sean Lee was following up his breakout 2011 NFL season with another stellar campaign in 2012. But his season was cut short with the Dallas Cowboys when he hurt his toe. Then his vacant spot was filled by another former Penn State teammate – Dan Connor. Throw Paul Posluszny, Josh Hull and Tim Shaw into the mix, and the NFL is already stockpiled with Penn State linebacker products. Of course, that number is certain to grow when Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges join the fray, beginning with their appearances at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in late February. But what's left at Penn State? At this point, it's not a question of whether another linebacker will step up, but rather, which one? While the answer isn't as established and easy to project as it may have been in recent seasons, there are solid prospects already on the roster. Take Glenn Carson, for instance. When asked after the Wisconsin game about who would be able to step into Mauti's linebacker leadership role for the 2013 season, assistant coach Ron Vanderlinden didn't hesitate. "You know, right now I think Glenn Carson is about ready to accept that role," he said. "I think in Mike's case, it's natural. Mike just has it – that 'it' factor. Some guys are great players, but they're not as animated. So I think you've gotta be who you are. You can't force it if it's not there. And everybody does it in their own way. Gerald Hodges in his own way. Glenn Carson, he does it through example. He's tough as nails and he's the kind of guy everyone respects because he is so tough." Carson finished the season as the "third fiddle" of Penn State's linebacker corps, racking up 85 tackles, three of M A R C H | NBAUER@BLUEWHITEONLINE.COM which were for a loss, a sack and three passes defended. Playing in the middle between Hodges and Mauti, much of the attention was drawn away from Carson, who has a naturally reserved and unassuming personality, anyway. Vanderlinden, however, said a workmanlike and quiet nature doesn't preclude Carson from having the same type of leadership traits as his star teammates. "When you're intercepting balls and making tackles for losses, that draws attention to you," Vanderlinden said. "Both Gerald and Mike have done a bunch of that. They make a lot of plays in space, and Glenn makes them between the tackles. "I just think it's the nature of the [middle linebacker] position. Plus, it's the outstanding plays that Gerald and Mike have been making, too. If Glenn were to get his hands on a couple footballs, that would certainly help his notoriety." Mike Hull absolutely had that notoriety by the end of last season, specifically for his dramatic playmaking capabilities. He's the other odds-on favorite to achieve stardom as a linebacker at Penn State. Even though he played in a relatively limited role last season, specializing in pass defenses and special teams, Hull made a huge interception and return for a touchdown, a long fumble return, and blocked a punt that resulted in a touchdown against Ohio State. Statistically, Hull finished the season sixth on the team in tackles with 58, racked up five tackles for loss, four sacks, four breakups and five passes defended. "Here is a guy that's been our fourth linebacker all year and he's made big plays for us on defense and special teams," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "He's an instinctive guy, he's a Pittsburgh guy, he's a football guy. He was in my office last night and we were talking football. "This guy is a rock-solid football dude, so he's going to go in there and play as hard as he can. It's going to be fun to watch him play." In addition to Carson and Hull, Vanderlinden said he expects to have another core group of linebackers to work 6 , 2 0 1 3 4 John Beale MIDDLE MAN A three-year starter-to-be, Carson will be relied on to lead the linebacker corps. with in 2013. Nyeem Wartman, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game of the season, is fully healthy and is expected to contribute. And Ben Kline is in the mix, too, although he had shoulder surgery this offseason to correct a stinger problem that he played through during much of the 2012 season. Throw in the additions of incoming freshmen Zayd Issah and Brandon Bell, and Penn State's next crop of linebackers is in the making. "Nyeem is a guy we're hopeful for," Vanderlinden said. "Ben was a secondteamer this year as a redshirt freshman and got a lot of work, so we're hopeful that Ben's going to step up, too. Mike Hull is back and Mike's a terrific player. And Glenn Carson's back. Hopefully that's a good nucleus to start with." B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M

• Cover