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sprinter, having clocked 21.89 seconds in the 200-meter dash. Another factor working in Johnson's favor is his wingspan. "He has a reach of 34.5 inches," Franklin said. "So you're talking about a [receiver] who will play almost like he's 6-foot-6, 6-foot-7." JARVIS MILLER Saf., 6-2, 197 Su&eld, Conn. Miller hails from a lightly recruited part of the country and is one of the less-heralded members of this year's class. It would be easy to assume he will redshirt as he adjusts to the new level of competition. But don't be surprised if the coaches take a di7erent approach. Miller said he plans to arrive this summer "with the determination that [even] if I don't start, I'll still get playing time." At the very least, he could make an impact on special teams. And Smith, who calls Miller "extremely athletic, extremely long and talented," believes that is a real possibility. "We expect him to have a great impact on us immediately," Smith said. "He's ex- tremely smart, and we feel like he'll pick the system up." Miller will begin his career at one of the safety positions, but Smith added, "With his frame, who knows? He could grow into that outside linebacker spot as well." JOHN REID CB, 5-10, 181 Mount Laurel, N.J. Following spring prac- tice, Penn State was still searching for its 68h cor- nerback, a crucial lineup spot on a defense that o8en uses 6ve or six defensive backs. While fellow cornerback signee Garrett Taylor will provide ample competition, Taylor is less than a year removed from major knee surgery, so we're giving Reid the edge. An honor student, Reid is a "studyholic" in the 6lm room and in the classroom, Smith said. In fact, when Reid made his recruiting visits, he spent most of his time in the 6lm room with coaches instead of hanging out with the other prospects. "He's an NFL Pro Bowl-type player," said Gattis, who recruited Reid in high school. "What I mean by that is not nec- essarily from an athletic standpoint – he's a very talented kid athletically – but he's one of the more mature kids there is men- tally. He is a ball junkie. His 6rst question a8er he sent in his letter of intent was, When can I get the playbook?" ■ RYAN BATES OL, 6-5, 275 Warrington, Pa. Franklin tends to red- shirt o7ensive linemen, so it's unlikely Bates will see the 6eld in 2015. But if one true fresh- man were to be called upon, it would be Bates. If only for his versatility. "We think he has the ability and footwork to play tackle, we think he has the nastiness to play guard, [and] we also think he has the intelligence to play center," Franklin said. "He's a guy who we think can start [his career] at the center position and be the quarterback of the o7ensive line." MANNY BOWEN LB, 6-2, 206 Barnegat, N.J. He's not there yet, but with a year or two in the weight room, Bowen has the frame "to grow into a 225-pound ball of muscle," Franklin said. He might not have the bulk needed to play signi6cant reps at linebacker right away, but the coaches are aiming to 6nd a way to get him on the 6eld. Because, as Smith said, "He is that guy who we don't have on our roster right now." RYAN BUCHHOLZ DE, 6-6, 241 Malvern, Pa. Buchholz is what Franklin considers a "jumbo athlete." The coaching staff has thought about playing him at tight end, because, as Franklin noted, "He has that kind of athleticism." But it's more likely he will stay at de- fensive end. It's a position that, coming out of spring practice, appears to have adequate depth, so barring a rash of in- juries, the odds are against Buchholz seeing significant reps at DE. But he might be too valuable to sit out. Even if he were used simply as a situational de- fensive end and special teamer, he could make an impact. –T.O. OT H E RS TO WATC H

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