Blue White Illustrated

Noah Beh, Brendan Brosnan, Chance Sorrell and Chasz Wright – are projected to be o8ensive tackles. Nelson is regarded as the top o8ensive line recruit in Penn State's Class of 2013. He received high praise from O'Brien last fall and was a candidate for playing time before the sta8 decided to redshirt him. MIDDLE LINEBACKER Nyeem Wartman (6-1, 241, Jr./So.) vs. Gary Wooten (6-2, 238, Jr./So.) Wartman arrived on Penn State's cam- pus in June 2012 as the top-rated line- backer recruit in his class. He played on special teams in the 7rst two games of his freshman season before su8ering a knee injury. Last fall, Wartman played in all 12 games, starting several games at the Sam outside linebacker spot. He to- taled 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and four pass break-ups. Right now, it looks as though Wart- man's only competition for the starting inside position will come from Wooten, a fellow redshirt sophomore. Wooten played in nine games on special teams and was credited with six total tackles last season. With the departure of Carson, who was Penn State's leading tackler last fall with 90 total stops, it's easy to see why this will be one of the most important position battles on defense this spring. For Penn State's defense to be strong up the middle, either Wartman or Wooten will need to emerge in spring practice. This is a particularly important spring session for Wartman. Franklin surely doesn't want to put too much pressure on incoming freshman Troy Reeder. 3-TECHNIQUE DEFENSIVE TACKLE Austin Johnson (6-4, 302, Jr./So.) vs. Parker Cothren (6-5, 276, So./Fr.) With the move of Dowrey to o8ense, and with the graduation of Jones and Kyle Baublitz, Johnson and Cothren are the leading candidates for the three- technique defensive tackle position. Johnson was redshirted his freshman year but developed last year into one of Penn State's top three defensive tackles. He started several games at the one- technique spot but also played the three-technique position at times and 7nished the year with 27 total tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. Johnson is Penn State's most athletic defensive tackle. He was a terri7c bas- ketball player in high school, and the coaching sta8 will surely want to take full advantage of his athleticism. Putting him at the three-technique spot full- time makes a lot of sense. Cothren, the only defensive tackle in Penn State's Class of 2013, selected the Nittany Lions over Purdue. He posted 57 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and four sacks his senior year at Hazel Green (Ala.) High. Although he ended up redshirting, O'Brien praised Cothren's performance on the scout team last fall. One interesting note here is that red- shirt junior Anthony Zettel played in all 12 games last year at the strongside defen- sive end position. He was credited with 16 tackles and 7nished second on the team with six tackles for loss and four sacks. I wouldn't be surprised to see Zettel get a tryout at the three-technique position in the spring, at least in passing situations. FREE SAFETY Malik Golden (6-1, 195, Jr./So.) vs. Ryan Keiser (6-1, 205, Sr./Sr.) For most of the 2013 season, Golden played on the punt and kicko8 coverage teams. But he also made an impressive appearance at free safety in the second half of Penn State's 7nal game of the season against Wisconsin. In that game, Golden was credited with three tackles and one pass break-up. Keiser played in 11 games at free safety, starting 7ve. He was credited with 38 tackles, was tied for the team lead with three interceptions and was credited with eight pass break-ups and 11 passes defended. It will also be interesting to see if Franklin and defensive coordinator Bob Shoop move senior cornerback Adrian Amos to free safety. Penn State is looking to improve its speed in the secondary, particularly at safety. That's why Golden and Amos might be in the picture at free safety in spring practice. ■

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