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Friedgen, Rutgers' new o:ensive coordi- nator, has talked about using it in certain situations in order to maximize the talent on the Scarlet Knights' receiving unit. That could mean 10 of PSU's 12 opponents will be employing it this fall. Shoop is hoping his team is prepared. In addition to Amos and Lucas, Malik Golden, Ryan Keiser, Jesse Della Valle, Jordan Dudas and Von Walker are getting work at the star. Incoming freshman Koa Farmer was recently moved from safety to linebacker, and he'll likely play the star, or 9eld linebacker, too. Shoop compared his safety depth to that of Penn State's tight end unit, which might be the deepest in the conference. Having the right personnel makes it even more tempting to get three safeties – two tradi- tional, one star – on the 9eld at once. "Defensively, what you're trying to do is maximize your athletic ability on the 9eld," Shoop said. "That body type – the hybrid safe- ty/outside linebacker – has become a key component for what we do." It also helps counteract Penn State's diminished depth at linebacker, because the 4-2-5 formation re- quires only two "box back- ers," as Shoop calls them. Even though the scheme takes a linebacker o: the 9eld, sophomore Brandon Bell said it will boost the entire defense. "We've gotta learn it, and you gotta do what you gotta do," Bell said. "It de9nitely helps. In today's game, teams are going 9ve-wide or four-wide and spreading you out. To have a quicker defensive back in coverage helps and obviously bene9ts the team." Depending on the oppo- nent and the game situation, a linebacker could line up at the star. Said Shoop, "We can play an outside linebacker there in certain situations, we can play a hybrid outside linebacker, strong safety, someone like Adrian or Golden. We can play a corner there, like Lucas." Shoop didn't put a lot of emphasis on the star position in the spring, because time was limited and the coaches needed to become more familiar with their per- sonnel. Also, Penn State will continue to use its 4-3 base defense, so that was the focus of the o:-season drills. But now that Shoop has had time to further evaluate his roster, the star package is beginning to factor into the team's plans. To help mentally prepare, most of the aforementioned players spent many hours this summer watching Vanderbilt game 9lm from the past few seasons in order to study the star position. "I've watched a lot of 9lm on it," Lucas said. "I feel as if I know the position very well since spring. It's not hard at all. I feel like a lot of people in the defensive back- 9eld can play that position." At 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, Lucas will likely be the second option at star, with Amos (6-0, 209) being the 9rst. But if it were up to Lucas, he'd line up there almost every play. "You're in the middle of everything," he said. "You're like a linebacker. You're like a safety and a corner all in one. You can blitz, you can drop back in coverage, you can play man. You can do the whole thing." Amos has played a similar role in the past at PSU. Many times over the past cou- ple years, Amos would line up as a nickel back, or as the 9;h DB. In addition, Stephen Obeng-Agyapong played a similar position in 2013. But it's still not identical. "In some ways it's a similar position," Amos said. "It's basically the Sam line- backer. It's a hybrid type of position. Teams spread out a lot, so it puts an extra defensive back on the 9eld." It won't be used on every down. Against some teams, it might not be used at all. But when the situation calls for it, it will be part of the team's repertoire. And all the defensive backs will be eager to try their hand. The position demands versatility, and it will give the players who 9ll it a chance to display their entire skill set. A chance for interceptions, fumbles, tackles for loss and sacks – all in one po- sition? Yes, please. "The star position is a phenomenal po- sition," Lucas said. "If you guys actually saw it, you'd be like, 'Wow. It's nice.' You get to do a lot of di:erent things. Whoever the coach gives the keys to for that position – he's a lucky dude." ■ PLAYING BIG Lucas (below) and Amos (left) are two primary candidates to play the star position in Bob Shoop's defense in 2014. Steve Manuel

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