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ty this off-season, and one of the rea- sons it was able to make that move was because its younger contributors were able to prove themselves last season, both on the practice field and in games. "You build depth by having great com- petition in practice, which makes us better," Smith said. "Injuries are a part of the game. We don't want them to happen, but when it happens, we feel confident that we have a guy who can be the next guy up. "Way back in the day when I played, the reason Penn State was so good was the depth it had at all positions. We're just trying to get to that point where now all of a sudden there's such compe- tition that it makes us better and then there's depth to protect the position." It would be hard to argue that the Li- ons aren't getting closer to that point. Williams will lead the way within the group this year, having emerged as a confident and talented performer as the 2014 season progressed. But the impact of Haley and Campbell, plus redshirt freshmen Amani Oruwariye and Daquan Worley and true freshmen John Reid and Garrett Taylor, has created a competitive environment allowing for a bigger, bet- ter rotation this time around. And the cornerback position is just one case in point. There are others. At running back, redshirt junior Akeel Lynch likely has a leg up in the battle to be the team's feature back, but the pres- ence of Mark Allen, Nick Scott and Johnathan Thomas – all redshirt fresh- men – plus true freshmen Saquon Barkley and Andre Robinson has made for a situation in which legitimately good options exist. The linebacker unit has Nyeem Wart- man-White and Brandon Bell to rely upon, but Jason Cabinda, Koa Farmer, Troy Reeder, Von Walker, Gary Wooten and fifth-year senior Ben Kline have all competed this preseason to find their places within the Nittany Lions' rota- tion. Even at wideout, a position that relied almost exclusively on Allen Robinson two years ago due to a complete lack of other real options, has been trans- formed. DaeSean Hamilton was the breakout performer a year ago, and Chris Godwin, Geno Lewis and Saeed Blacknall will all get big reps, but an in- flux of true freshman talent in Irvin Charles, Juwan Johnson and Brandon Polk, plus redshirt freshman DeAndre Thompkins, has made for yet another competitive environment among the projected backups. Franklin recently cautioned that this is not yet the ideal program breakdown in which seniors feel competitive pressure from juniors, juniors from sophomores, and sophomores from freshmen. But that day is getting closer. "I wouldn't necessarily say that the seniors who have established themselves in the program are being threatened right now by freshmen, but I do think they notice and appreciate the depth be- cause they're taking fewer reps in prac- tice," Franklin said. "But we're still probably a year away from the point where there's depth and competition throughout." Franklin and his staff aren't rushing the process. These are coaches who love big data, and the larger the sample size, the better. They're going to let the posi- tion battles play out as long as possible before making their decisions and turn- ing their attention to the season opener against Temple. "These guys, they'll decide it. When they go out there and they're preparing and they're performing, that in itself is going to decide. So one of the guys will start to separate himself from those close competitions," Smith said. "A great sce- nario is that two guys are so equal and they're so talented, we've got to figure out how to get them both on the field. So that's the best-case scenario, where you have a couple of logjams." Or, in the words of defensive coordina- tor Bob Shoop, Penn State's coaching staff is just going to "report the news." The coaches will watch film and evalu- ate it, and the decisions will make them- selves. For a staff that has been craving viable options, it's refreshing just to know there will be decisions to make. ■ 111 E. Beaver Ave s State College, PA 16801 www.The-Phyrst.com 814.234.4406 137 Elmwood St. s State College, PA 16801 www.HappyValleyBeer.com Wood-fire Grill 12 Beers on Tap 200 Year Old Barn 821 Cricklewood Dr. s Toftrees, State College www.AmericanAleHouse.net 814.237.9701 s Piano Bar s Sommelier 814.238.1406 814.234.7700 s 1611 Atherton St. s State College 814.941.7788 s Plank Rd. Exit s Altoona www.ChampsSportsGrill.net s Best Game Bar s Large Groups Welcome c lc e W We s p u o r G e g r a L s a e B m a st G e B s S n S h 1 A 1 6 1 0 0 7 7 4. 3 2 4. 1 8 me co r a l l C S r G s rt o p S s p m a h C . www s t i x . E d k R n a l P s 8 8 7 7 1. 4 9 . 4 1 8 S s . t n S o t r e h t 1 A 1 6 1 s 0 0 7 7 4. 3 2 4. 1 8 t e n . l l i r na o o t l A e g e l l o C e at t S

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