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leadership, can achieve a level of success no one thought possible under the NCAA sanctions. Recently, recruiting analyst Tom Lemming told the Altoona Mirror that he has been impressed with the way Penn State is assembling its Class of 2014. The reason for the success, Lemming said, is straightforward. Without sacrificing the program's academic integrity, O'Brien has re-established Penn State as a major proving ground for NFL-caliber talent on both offense and defense. The Nittany Lions have not lost their "Linebacker U" nickname, but under O'Brien's leadership, any player at any position on offense or defense can come to Penn State and expect to get an opportunity to showcase his talent. That's true of the quarterback position, as well as the cornerback and safety positions. As Lemming told the Mirror's Phillip Cmor, "O'Brien has brought the NFL game to Penn State." That was evident in every aspect of Penn State's play last fall. Offensively, it could be seen in the responsibility that O'Brien gave to McGloin at the line of scrimmage. O'Brien installed an NFL-style offense that called on McGloin to read defenses and gave the senior quarterback the option of calling an audible before every play. He introduced what became known as the NASCAR offense, which was capable of running 85 to 100 plays per game. O'Brien made the tight ends an integral part of the offense, and they responded by totaling 83 catches for 1,097 yards and 10 touchdowns. With all the tight ends returning this fall, O'Brien has convinced me that he'll have the No. 1 position group in the FBS. I can envision four of the Lions' current tight ends someday playing in the NFL. Perhaps even more impressive, however, is what took place in the defensive backfield throughout spring practice. Last year Penn State didn't have the personnel or depth in the secondary to play nickel and dime defensive schemes. So, in passing situations, assistants Ted Roof and John Butler deployed the so-called roadrunner de- fense. Mike Hull replaced Glenn Carson at linebacker, Adrian Amos moved from boundary cornerback to strong safety, and freshman Da'Quan Davis filled in at cornerback. The roadrunner scheme helped camouflage Penn State's shortcomings in the secondary, but it wasn't an ideal situation. That's why the progress the Nittany Lions made this spring was so encouraging. With the emergence of sophomore cornerback Jordan Lucas and the moves of redshirt freshman Trevor Williams from wide receiver to cornerback and Malik Golden from wide receiver to free safety, plus the January enrollment of Anthony Smith and Jordan Smith, Butler will have the ability to use a true NFL-style pass coverage scheme as he takes over for Roof as defensive coordinator. It appears that Lucas and Williams will enter preseason practice as the Lions' first-team cornerbacks, with Amos moving to strong safety, a spot at which he has All-America potential. "[Lucas] made a tremendous amount of improvement in the spring," Butler said. "I think he's probably one of the reasons why we have the rotation now that we have. We have good players at corner, guys who we have confidence in so that we can be flexible. "Our No. 1 deal is, we've got to put the best 11 guys out on the field who are going to help us win. Whatever position they're going to play, we're going to play the ones who help us win. Jordan [Smith] has had a good spring, and Adrian gives us flexibility." The changes in the secondary are significant for Penn State – not just for the coming season but for 2014 and beyond. Defensive back recruits like preseason All-American Dravon Henry of Aliquippa, Pa., Troy Vincent of the Gilman School in Baltimore and Montae Nicholson of Gateway High in Monroeville, Pa., have all noticed the change in defensive philosophy and are seriously considering Penn State. It's one reason why, in my opinion, the Nittany Lions will be more successful than anyone could have ever imagined when the NCAA sanctions were levied. the two best barbecue restaurants have combined forces to meet all of your game day tailgating needs! DAMON S DAMON'S Offers Caterings for Any Size Party. e Party. Watch Watch All Games in High Definition! Sunday NFL Ticket! Ti icket! Live From DAMON"S Clubhouse, The BILL O'BRIEN CALL IN SHOW, Every Thursday from 6 pm until 8 pm. 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