Blue White Illustrated

few plays during the team's April 13 scrimmage due to some nagging injuries. But don't panic. He played a bit in the Blue-White Game and should be ready to reprise his starting role when the Lions open their season Aug. 31 vs. Syracuse. QUOTABLE Robinson, on how he expects to be better this fall: "I just want to try and improve on some things that I didn't do last year, like come down with a few more 50/50 balls and try to create some bigger plays for us on offense." THE TAKEAWAY The Lions were in good shape going into spring practice, and they're in even better shape coming out. Robinson's physical transformation – he's up to 217 pounds after playing at around 200 last year – has been striking. In addition, Lewis and January enrollee Richy Anderson have stepped forward to give the Lions added depth. With Anderson's classmate DaeSean Hamilton set to arrive over the summer, the Lions should have plenty of manpower at their disposal this fall. TIGHT END SPRING STAR With Kyle Carter out of action, redshirt freshman Brent Wilkerson took advantage of all the extra reps he got. The 6-3, 239-pound Wilkerson is "definitely going to get a lot of time on the field this fall," Carter predicted. HURTING Carter had surgery last November on his dislocated right wrist and was unable to take part in contact drills this spring. Also, freshman Adam Breneman wore a red jersey throughout spring practice as he continues his recovery from reconstructive knee surgery last summer. Both are expected to be healthy this fall. QUOTABLE Carter: "The rehab has definitely been going well, and I'm definitely coming back ahead of schedule. I'm able to do seven-on-sevens, one-onones and some blocking. I will definitely be back by the beginning of the season. If I had to play a game now, I would be able to." THE TAKEAWAY If the rest of Penn State's roster were as deep as the tight end spots, this team would be poised to go 12-0. The Nittany Lions are probably harboring more than one future NFL tight end, and Carter's absence this spring might actually have enhanced the team's outlook by giving young guys like Wilkerson and Breneman a chance to shine. Factor in returnees Jesse James and Matt Lehman, and the Lions are simply loaded at these spots. OFFENSIVE LINE SPRING STAR It looks as though fifthyear senior Ty Howle has emerged as the likely starter at center, one of two vacancies on the Nittany Lions' firstteam offensive line. Howle was the recipient of the Red Worrell Award, which goes to the team's most improved offensive player. HURTING Converted tight end Garry Gilliam's transition from tight end to offensive tackle hit a snag when he injured his calf and ended up sitting out a significant portion of spring drills, including the Blue-White Game. QUOTABLE Howle: "I think we're going to have a great season. I wouldn't play the game if I didn't want to win, so obviously I think our goal is to win every game. We have a lot of stuff to improve on, and I think we can do it." THE TAKEAWAY The consensus seems to be that Penn State's offensive line has the potential to be better than last year's line despite the loss of tackle Mike Farrell and All-Big Ten center Matt Stankiewitch. (Backup Anthony Stanko also is gone, having decided to give up football but remain enrolled at Penn State.) Coach Mac McWhorter used an extensive rotation last season, and that experience is likely to pay dividends as Howle gets set to take over the center spot and Gilliam, Adam Gress and Eric Shrive fight for playing time at the tackle post opposite Donovan Smith. The Lions' offensive linemen "have competed all spring," O'Brien said. "They're very well coached, they're smart, and there are some veteran players there. I thought we did a good job last year of playing a lot of guys at that position." DEFENSIVE LINE SPRING STAR Austin Johnson looks as though he's put himself in position to start as a redshirt freshman. The 6-2, 304-pound defensive tackle has "a huge amount of ability and potential," said Jordan Hill, the player he's in line to replace at the three-technique spot. HURTING Senior defensive tackle DaQuan Jones sat out the Blue-White Game with a back injury. It is not believed to be serious. QUOTABLE O'Brien on Deion Barnes: "[He] loves football and he works extremely hard in the weight room and on the football field. I think that he's a really, really good football player and he's going to be a valuable member of this football team, as he obviously was last year. I think he's improved in certain areas of his game. Again, that's another well-coached position. He's had a productive spring." THE TAKEAWAY Barnes is a potential superstar, and the middle of the line appears to be in OK shape, provided that Johnson and/or Kyle Baublitz lock down the tackle spot opposite Jones. What the Lions need now is for someone to step up at right defensive end. Anthony Zettel was tied for third on the team with four sacks last season, but redshirt junior C.J. Olaniyan looks to be the most obvious candidate for the starting spot after a strong performance this spring. Olaniyan was named corecipient of the Jim O'Hora Award, which goes to the team's most improved defensive player. LINEBACKER SPRING STAR Mike Hull shared the Frank Patrick Total Commitment Award this spring with offensive guard Miles Dieffenbach. One look at Hull, and you can see just how thoroughly he's committed himself to the team's weight training regimen. The junior outside linebacker is ripped. O'Brien described him as "one of the best football players on this team." HURTING Ben Kline missed all of spring practice while recovering from shoulder surgery. He's expected back at full strength this fall, but he'll have to make up a lot of ground if he hopes to overtake Nyeem Wartman for a starting outside linebacker spot. QUOTABLE O'Brien on the Lions' depth

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