Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/541265
2 0 1 5 P E N N S T A T E F O O T B A L L solid leadership for us this spring. The exciting competition will really be for the backup at that position." In certain situations, especially against pass-happy offenses, it could prove ben- eficial to put on the field a safety-turned- linebacker – Farmer and Walker both fit that description – and slide Bell over to one of the other two linebacker spots, maximizing the collective athleticism and speed of the defense. "[At] Will or Mike, you've got to bang against the guards and tackles a little more, be able to shed blocks," Bell said. "I feel comfortable doing both. Now that I'm definitely a little bit stronger, I can hang in there in the middle, but I'm still quick enough to be able to play outside." And that's all part of his growth and transformation this off-season. Of course, the jersey number is part of it, too. Soon after switching to No. 11, the man who made the jersey legendary at Linebacker U reached out to Bell. "I got a chance to talk to LaVar Arrington, which was probably the first time," Bell said. "That's always a good thing." Arrington, an All-American who played seven seasons professionally and is now based in California working for the NFL Network, had a specific message. "Just make sure you honor the number," he told Bell. "Being the one who wore it, he wants you to remember him, and, obviously, honor NaVorro Bowman, who also wore it," Bell said. "Some great guys wore the number, so I'm just trying to honor them." Whether that's the catalyst of a new and improved Brandon Bell this season is unclear. But something has triggered a change. Maybe it's simply the natural pro- gression of his career. Maybe it's the new number on his jersey. Or, maybe, it's be- cause this is the money year. ■ >> KEY PERSONNEL Brandon Bell*, Manny Bowen, Jason Cabinda*, Jake Cooper, Daiquan Kelly, Ben Kline*, Troy Reeder, Von Walker*, Nyeem Wartman*, Gary Wooten* LOSSES Drew Boyce, Mike Hull*, T.J. Rhattigan RISING STAR The only true fresh- man linebacker to see the field last year, Cabinda is now the anticipated starter at Will for his sophomore sea- son. In his college debut, the Fleming- ton, N.J., native burst on the scene vs. Northwestern with eight tackles and made his first start vs. Illinois, finish- ing with five stops. Riding the mo- mentum into winter, then spring and summer, Cabinda earned a reputation during the off-season strength and conditioning program as one of the hardest-working, highest-energy guys in the weight room. "Jason is a work- out monster," teammate Bell said. "He comes in every day and busts his butt." BIGGEST LOSS A no-brainer here. Hull isn't simply the biggest loss with- in this position unit; he's the biggest loss on the entire team. The Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, Hull made 140 stops as a senior, nearly twice as many as Wartman, the team's second-lead- ing tackler. And his tackling prowess isn't the only thing the Lions will miss. Hull also provided all-around leader- ship. The team will miss his accuracy with pre-snap reads and the decisive- ness with which he made defensive calls prior to each play. NUMBERS GAME Penn State has plenty of experienced linebackers re- turning, but not one of them caused or recovered a fumble last season. The coaching staff is demanding that the defense create more turnovers in 2015. That includes more interceptions from the secondary and more – any – forced fumbles from the linebackers. OUTLOOK All three starting posi- tions appear to have been settled dur- ing spring practice, with Bell at Sam, Cabinda at Will and Wartman taking Hull's spot in the middle. The backups, on the other hand, are hungry for play- ing time, and that hidden competition could lift this unit to another level of production. Wooten and Kline are vet- erans who will push Wartman for play- ing time at Mike, while Reeder is poised to make an impact as a redshirt fresh- man at Will. True freshmen Bowen, Cooper and Kelly are highly touted re- cruits who can't be counted out, either. But the most important position battle of the off-season might just be the competition for the backup spot behind Bell at the field position. Farmer and Walker are both former safeties who bring uncommon athleticism to a tradi- tional linebacker role. – T.O. OUTSIDE LINEBACKER NO NAME YR HT WT 40 Jason Cabinda So. 6-1 247 42 Troy Reeder R-Fr. 6-1 235 INSIDE LINEBACKER 5 Nyeem Wartman R-Jr. 6-1 243 8 Gary Wooten R-Jr. 6-2 239 38 Ben Kline Sr. 6-2 238 OUTSIDE LINEBACKER 11 Brandon Bell Jr. 6-1 231 25 Von Walker Jr. 5-11 213 7 Koa Farmer R-Fr. 6-1 208 * Starting experience in 2014 PHIL'S TAKE The key to success here will be the leadership that Wartman displays in replacing Hull. Bell has the potential to be special at the Sam position, and Cabinda seems set at Will. Kline, Wooten, Walker, Farmer and Reed- er give Penn State the best depth it has had at linebacker since the NCAA sanctions took effect in 2012.