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top two defensive tackles and top five DT prospects in ACC country for the Class of 2015; Tim Settle: rated by many as the top DT in ACC country for the Class of 2015; Christian Wilkins: top-rated DT in the Northeast and an excellent studentathlete with a 3.5 GPA… has close to 20 offers already. RYAN TAKE Settle hasn't shown much interest in Penn State at this point, but both Lewis and Wilkins will probably have the Nittany Lions in their initial top 10. Both are quiet and haven't really opened up to the media yet. But in time, we believe Penn State will emerge as a contender for both Wilkins and Lewis. Lewis visited for the Michigan game in October. LINEBACKER RETURNING PLAYERS Ben Kline (Sr.), Gary Wooten (Jr.), Nyeem Wartman (Jr.), Brandon Bell (Jr.), Jason Cabinda (So.), Troy Reeder (So.), Donte Raymond (So.) OUTLOOK This is without question one of Penn State's biggest needs on defense, as the Lions must shore up their depth at both the inside and outside spots. But it is also one of the hardest areas to evaluate given all the recent talk of changes in philosophy and a potential move to a multiple-set defensive scheme, which would replace the 4-3 alignment that the Lions have traditionally used. Although the picture is cloudy at this point, it's hard to imagine the Lions taking fewer than four linebackers in 2015. 2015 OFFERS Jerome Baker: one of the best pure athletes in Ohio's 2015 class… a fourstar athlete capable of playing RB, SS and OLB at the college level; Justin Hilliard: top-rated LB prospect in Ohio's 2015 class… already has close to 30 verbal scholarship offers; Chris Green: rated by some as one of Ohio's top five LB prospects in 2015... has Penn State in his top three. RYAN TAKE I believe Penn State is already the favorite to sign Green. Since visiting University Park during the weekend of the Michigan game, he has hinted about potentially making a commitment. I expect him to work out for coaches during the spring evaluation period to see which other schools extend offers. But regardless of what happens on that front, I think it's likely that Green will be part of Penn State's Class of 2015 by the summer. As for the other two prospects who have received offers, there's work to do with both. Hilliard appears to have more interest than Baker, but until one of them takes an unofficial visit, it's hard to image the Nittany Lions as serious contenders. CORNERBACK RETURNING PLAYERS Jordan Lucas (Sr.), Trevor Williams (Sr.), Da'Quan Davis (Sr.), Anthony Smith (Jr.), Jordan Smith (So.), Troy Vincent Jr. (So.), DaQuan Worley (So.) OUTLOOK Numbers aren't a problem here, but Williams and Davis will be playing their final season in 2015, and I can't see Penn State signing fewer than two cornerbacks. 2015 OFFERS Kareem Ali: South Jersey's top-rated CB for the Class of 2015; Shaun Crawford: Ohio's top athlete in 2015… has

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