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>> KEY PERSONNEL Adam Brene- man*, Kyle Carter*, Mike Gesicki, Jesse James*, Brent Wilkerson LOSS Matt Lehman* RISING STAR That opening touch- down at Wisconsin – Christian Hack- enberg to Breneman for a 68-yard catch-and-run – was exactly what Penn State fans pictured in February 2012 when the two blue-chip recruits signed with the Nittany Lions. And now it serves as a preview of what's to come. After a true freshman season in which he averaged 12.4 yards per catch and hauled in three scores, Breneman gets the nod here, although BWI's rising star from last year – Wilkerson – is again expected to be a contributor after missing his redshirt freshman season due to a back injury. A year ago, it was unclear whether Breneman would even see the field in his first season at Penn State. He had suffered a major knee injury prior to his senior year at Cedar Cliff (Pa.) High, and there was talk that he might redshirt. But he made his first career start in week two and continued im- proving as the season went on, saving his best performance for last when he caught three passes for 78 yards vs. the Badgers. Breneman was held out of the majority of spring practice with a minor injury, but if, as expected, he's completely healed and continues to build momentum, expect big things this fall. BIGGEST LOSS Lehman is the only key player to have graduated from this position group. He suffered a season- ending knee injury in Penn State's opener against Syracuse last season, so the Nittany Lions have had a lot of time to figure out how best to reconfigure their depth chart. Lehman's injury was a tough blow at the time, but it did have one positive side effect for the Lions in that it gave them a better look at what Breneman was capable of doing. NUMBERS GAME Vanderbilt's tight end corps combined for 20 catches in 2013, while Penn State's combined for 42. James Franklin, however, didn't have this kind of tight end talent at his disposal at his previous stop. OUTLOOK Franklin thrives on com- petition. In fact, the practice field end zones outside the Lasch Building now bear the word "COMPETE," as if it's the team's nickname. That approach will suit Penn State's tight ends just fine; this season, there won't be a more competitive position on the offense. James caught more passes last sea- son than any other returning receiv- er, finishing with 25. Carter managed to haul in 18 passes, despite being bothered by a wrist/hand injury from his freshman season that he aggra- vated against Syracuse last August. When healthy, Carter is one of the best tight ends in the conference. Breneman might have similar poten- tial, and while Wilkerson has yet to see action in a regular-season game, he is said to be the most athletic of the returning players at the position. Incoming freshman Mike Gesicki is extremely athletic, too, and it might be difficult to keep him off the field during his first season. There are only so many passes to go around, so compete they will. – T.O. TIGHT END (F) NO NAME YR HT WT 87 Kyle Carter Jr. 6-3 241 11 Brent Wilkerson So. 6-3 247 TIGHT END (Y) 18 Jesse James Jr. 6-7 254 81 Adam Breneman So. 6-4 243 * Starting experience in 2013

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