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Hardest to replace is a two-part question. What value did the player bring? Who are the potential replace- ments? From a value standpoint, I would have to say Mike Hull. When your leading tackler has almost a 2:1 advantage over the next-leading tack- ler and also happens to be the QB of the defense, that's a lot of value there. Sam Ficken would be next on my list here. From a replacement standpoint, it is hard to answer because I lack in- formation, but I'm going to go with Ficken. I'm just not confident that we have someone who can step in and be consistent. You never know, though. Joe Julius may turn out to be great next year. If he hits 75 percent of his FGs and consistently kicks off into the end zone, I'll be happy. Combined, I'd say Ficken. I don't think you can overstate the importance of Mike Hull, but I have more confidence in Shoop and Pry to overcome his departure than I do in the staff getting another kicker ready. PhillipintheValley Ficken was money. He made big kicks from Dublin to NYC. Given our margins of victory, his leg was a factor. Agree on Mike Hull, as well. At least a few LBs have some playing time under their belt. Sam's replacement will be making his first college kick. jayhimes Ficken. Everyone else who is depart- ing has someone on the depth chart (Bell for Hull for example) or coming in (Palmer in place of Smith for example) who we should be able to expect to fill the "next man up" role. Who is that for Ficken? Joe Julius? The soccer player coming in from Bradley? One or the other might be a quality kicker, but what hard evidence have we seen to suggest that? mhentz Ficken and Hull. Hull for the leader- ship and Ficken simply because the guy was automatic this year. I'll never forget his first game and how this kid ended his career. It was awesome to watch that growth. LaJolla Lion With essentially six games this year coming down to within a field goal and Sam Ficken being as automatic as you can get at the FBS level, I don't know how it can be anyone but Sam. I see a lot of response regarding Hull and oth- ers for leadership, but this kid was a captain, too. It seemed obvious that he earned the respect of the team and coaches. mydome88 Mike Hull: First-team All-Big Ten and Linebacker of the Year. Second- team All-American in multiple outlets and third-team All-American AP. Not sold on Wooten, and Reeder didn't see the field at all this year. jeffkoz Mike Hull. He was a monster this year and was the cornerstone of a ter- rific defense. Slippery Sam I think Sam Ficken will be tough to replace, but we always seem to end up pretty good at that position. Mike Hull's leadership and talent will really be missed. doublehaul Miles Dieffenbach for his leadership. From what little I've seen, Miles seemed to be a team leader in the lock- er room. I just like the kid, and his de- sire. I can't believe that didn't get to others. roycepsu Donovan Smith. Offensive tackle is the position of greatest need, and there's less of a chance that those be- hind him can step up and compete at his level. Deion Barnes second, but I think the margin is wide. Jesse James never fulfilled potential – not even to the extent that a guy like Andrew Quarless did. I wish him the best of luck at the next level, but I believe he will be missed by announcers and fans who hoped their Deion Barnes jerseys would still have value more than by the offense. PSUGRAD9095 Smith, hands down. When you lose your best OL starter with the lack of depth and experience we have, it's go- ing to hurt big-time losing Smith. With Palmer coming in, had Smith stayed, we would have been at least average on the OL. We will still have a below-average OL with Smith gone next year. Hartford Lion Hard to argue with Donovan Smith. Just looking back at the Pinstripe Bowl, it was clear to me that the extra practice with Dieffenbach made a huge difference for the offense. Not to mention, this appeared to be the healthiest that Smith had been all sea- son. Considering all of the O-line troubles and Hack's regression, it's hard to pick someone other than Donovan Smith. AngryOtter Deion Barnes will be the toughest to replace. Depth going into the season is not great. Barnes really developed into a "complete" defensive end this sea- son, and we may have to replace him with a rotation. We lack the size-and- speed combination that Barnes brought to the table. Samurailion Which departing Penn State football player will be hardest to replace next season? W E B S U R V E Y

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