Blue White Illustrated

Wilkerson said he's spent time with Strollo watching film and working on his technique. All that hard work has been in anticipation of a preseason camp that should feature a spirited competition between the tight ends. "We definitely learn from each other," Wilkerson said. "Jesse and Lehman are great blockers and also great route runners. Kyle, he's also a great route runner. He knows how to get open and catch the ball, so you can take little pieces from everybody's game. Breneman is great route runner as well. You can just take little pieces from everyone's game and try to mold it around yourself." Carter will have to get readjusted to his blocking assignments as he comes back from his wrist injury, and he knows that will be a focus in the weeks leading up to the opener. "That was one thing that I was worried about – that it might affect my catching or blocking or something like that, but it actually hasn't," he said. "One thing it has done is that it's made me focus on my hands more when it comes to blocking and keeping my hands inside, and then when I'm catching, making sure that I really focus on catching the ball, relaxing when I know it's about to hit my hands. It really can be a benefit for me, and that's what I'm hoping for." Wilkerson said the tight end position has evolved into one that can stretch the field. The Lions' receivers are sure to draw plenty of attention from opposing secondaries, especially Robinson, but the tight end spot under O'Brien is more than just a safety valve that the quarterback can turn to if there's nothing open downfield. "I think it creates mismatches," Wilkerson said. "[Opposing defenses] don't know if they can put a cornerback or more linebackers out there. I think it creates havoc. It throws them off a little bit. "We just have to define our roles and practice hard," he added. "Practice will tell everything. Just compete in practice and encourage each other and keep each other up and just work hard. Let the coaches decide what's going to I happen from there." | LETTERMEN RETURNING Kyle Carter*, Jesse James*, Matt Lehman LETTERMEN LOST Brian Irvin, J.R. Refice RISING STAR Tough call here. The Lions have a blue-chip freshman in Adam Breneman, who looks to be fully recovered from the knee injury that cost him his senior season at Cedar Cliff High. But another newcomer – redshirt freshman Brent Wilkerson – also appears poised to make an impact this fall. Wilkerson had a 6-yard touchdown catch in the Blue-White Game. BIGGEST LOSS Garry Gilliam made five starts at the "Y" position last season but was moved (at his own request) to offensive tackle during the offseason. NUMBERS GAME Penn State's tight ends combined to catch 83 passes for 1,097 yards last season. It was a huge jump from the 2011 season, in which the tight ends totaled 15 catches for 122 yards. OUTLOOK When Bill O'Brien took over at Penn State, everyone looked at the success he'd had in New England with Rob Gronkowski and assumed that the tight ends would play a much more prominent role in the Nittany Lions' offense. That certainly has turned out to be the case. The Lions have two tight end positions in their offense – "F" and "Y" – with the second tight end taking the place of a fullback or third wide receiver. The scheme worked beautifully last year. Carter developed into one of Penn State's biggest offensive threats, finishing second on the team with 36 catches for 453 yards despite missing three games with wrist and ankle injuries. He's healthy again this year, and he's got even more talent surrounding him, with James and Lehman both returning and Wilkerson and Breneman ready to go. James, in particular, bears watching as a potential breakout performer. The 6- BRENT WILKERSON John Beale TIGHT END - Y NO 18 84 NAME Jesse James Matt Lehman YR So. Sr. HT 6-7 6-6 WT 249 245 So. 6-3 R-Fr. 6-3 Fr. 6-4 244 245 235 TIGHT END - Y/F 87 11 81 Kyle Carter Brent Wilkerson Adam Breneman foot-7, 249-pound sophomore came on strong at the end of last season and reportedly had an excellent spring. He averaged a teamleading 18.4 yards per catch last year, and his big-play potential was evident in the season finale against Wisconsin, in which he scored a 41-yard touchdown against the Badgers on fourth-and6 early in the fourth quarter. It was his fifth touchdown of the year, tying a Penn State record for tight ends. He's got three more seasons of eligibility, and as good as his freshman season turned out to be, the Lions are no doubt hoping the best is yet to come. * Starting experience in 2012

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