Blue White Illustrated

PHIL���S CORNER Low-impact spring practice sessions could have big impact this fall enn State���s 2013 spring practice sessions could turn out to be some of the most unique in the three decades that Blue White Illustrated has been covering Nittany Lion football. Because of the sanctions that were imposed last July, Bill O���Brien and his coaching staff entered spring practice with a slightly different agenda. One of the biggest points of emphasis was the overall health of the team, especially given the limited number of scholarship players on the Nittany Lion roster. In order to keep the team healthy and prepare it for the 65-scholarship cap that will go into effect next season, O���Brien and his staff have organized spring practice in a way that is reminiscent of an NFL minicamp. Instead of full-contact scrimmages, O���Brien holds what are called ���thud drills,��� meaning play is halted before the ball carrier is tackled to the ground. Although these thud drills consist of the normal 120-135 plays, there are certain limitations on the amount of contact that takes place. And yet, in spite of the limited contact, a number of players have reportedly made dramatic improvements at key positions during the first seven or eight spring practice sessions. Keeping that in mind, let���s take a look at the players who progressed the most during the first half of spring practice. These players could help put Penn State in position to P duplicate, or even improve upon, last season���s 8-4 record. At defensive tackle, DaQuan Jones and redshirt freshman Austin Johnson have been practicing with the first-team unit. Jones has stepped up as a leader and is more physically prepared for the season, hoping to use his performance this fall as a springboard to the NFL. ���I talk to Jordan [Hill] every day, just because he���s still here and because we have a close relationship,��� Jones said. ���He hosted me my freshman year. I lived with him last year. He kind of walked me through the process that he was going through, getting to the next level, and that was just something that was cool to be a part of, knowing that I can be there, hopefully, next year.��� Jones put those words into action during the first half of spring practice. He entered the off-season drills weighing just over 330 pounds, but after the team���s first five sessions he was down to 325 and he has a playing-weight goal of 315 for the season. As committed as Jones is to improving himself this spring, he states that he has been impressed with the commitment of all the scholarship defensive tackles. That list includes not only redshirt junior Kyle Baublitz, but also redshirt freshmen Derek Dowry, Brian Gaia and Johnson. Jones has been particularly impressed with Johnson. ���He���s the type of player who is very strong naturally,��� Jones said. ���He can take off the ball, get a good lock out on a veteran O-lineman. It���s something that a lot of freshmen struggle with coming in. To see him be able to do that really gives us as a whole group, and himself, confidence.��� It now appears as though Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson has a legitimate chance to have a solid two-man rotation at both defensive tackle positions going into preseason practice. Jones knows that the play of Penn State���s defensive tackles will be a major key to the team���s success, especially with the depth concerns at all three linebacker positions. Jones said he���s prepared to be this group���s leader. ���Just knowing that I���m the only senior here left, I���ve been there three years now and it���s a lot on my plate,��� Jones said. ���But, at the same time, I���m ready for it because I had a great mentor. I had Devon Still, I had Jordan Hill last year. I just learned from them, and going into this year it���s really helped me prepare to take leadership of this group.��� In addition to Jones and Johnson, BWI has learned of a host of other players who have had impressive spring practice performances. Here���s an early look: DEION BARNES From what BWI has been told, the redshirt sophomore defensive end made a dramatic improvement during the winter and in the first half of spring practice. He appears to be bigger, stronger and faster with the ability to provide Penn State���s defensive front with an outside pass rush that it hasn���t had since Aaron Maybin. It is not hard to see why many believe that Barnes is a legitimate first-team All-Big Ten candidate coming off a debut season in which he was named the league���s Freshman of the Year. C.J. OLANIYAN The redshirt junior defensive end has added about 10 pounds and is up to 256 and is reportedly playing with an attitude this spring. He���s said to be much more physical and is competing with redshirt sophomore Anthony Zettel for the starting defensive end position opposite Barnes.

• Cover