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Apologies to Fred Pattee, but there's a certain, shall we say, solemnity to Penn State's alma mater that makes the team sing-along at the end of every Nittany Lion football game seem at times like a bit of a chore. ABer victories, and espe- cially aBer defeats, you get the feeling that many players would rather just head into the locker room and let the celebration (or commiseration) begin. And then there's Carl Nassib. ABer Penn State's vic- tory over Buffalo in its home opener, as his teammates hummed along quietly, Nassib gave the song a thrash-metal makeover, complete with fist pumps, chest thumps, shadow box- ing, contortions and some shouting. "I was excited," Nassib admitted aBer- ward. "I love the alma mater and I love when our fans are into it. It's awesome, it's my senior year, and I only have a few of those leB, so it was pretty exciting." These are exciting times for the former walk-on from West Chester, Pa. Nassib had never started a game at Penn State before this season, nor had he ever started one at his high school, Malvern Prep. But he was the breakout player in the first two weeks of the season, leading the Nittany Lions in tackles against Tem- ple and Buffalo – a rarity for a defensive end. Included in his 15 stops were four sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception, all team- highs. The secret to Nassib's success is really no secret at all. It was there for all to see in his performance of the alma mater. Known to his teammates as Crazy Carl, he brings a gonzo intensity to everything he does, from singing to studying – he's an Academic All-Big Ten player majoring in biology – to football. "He's just an interesting character," de- fensive tackle Austin Johnson said. "He's loud, energetic, and will let you know what's on his mind, what he's thinking. He's very much like the rest of us when we're around each other. He's just not the same outside the locker room when he's around people he doesn't really know. He's a little different when he's around family." That phrase – a little different – is also applicable to Nassib's rise to promi- nence. His story has been told frequently since he emerged in the off-season as a likely starter, but coach James Franklin never tires of telling it: how Nassib built himself into a bulky, pocket-crushing defensive lineman aBer arriving at Penn State as a gangly 215-pounder, how he played his way onto a depth chart burst- ing with three- and four-star prospects, how he became a standout player through sheer force of will. "Typically guys put on 25 pounds. Typ- ically they are able to get stronger and faster while putting on 25 pounds with the training that we do," Franklin said. "He's one of the unique guys who has put on about 65 pounds and is faster and stronger than he was. So he can be a real matchup [problem]. There aren't too many defensive ends at 278 pounds who are as powerful and explosive and strong as he is and also have the football IQ that he does." Franklin wasn't at Penn State when Nassib arrived in University Park in 2011, nor was he the one who put the defensive end on scholarship; Bill O'Brien made that decision in 2013. But Franklin real- ized quickly how lucky the Lions had gotten in landing the little-known prospect, and as a redshirt junior, Nassib saw action in all 13 games on defense and special teams, finishing with 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. With C.J. Olaniyan and Deion Barnes both departing after the 2014 season, there was an opportunity to win a start- ing spot at defensive end this fall, and Nassib seized it. "If you're not trying to get the starting spot, then why are you there?" he said, describing the mental- ity he has brought to his Penn State ca- reer. "Competing in everything you do is one of our core values, and I think everybody should just compete to get on the field. You shouldn't be entitled to take every play. You can't take any play for granted, and I just kind of went about it that way." Some observers may have been sur- prised to see a former walk-on lay claim to a position at which Penn State has re- cruited quite well over the years. But given his history, it would have been more surprising if he hadn't. "You talk about an amazing story of a guy who persevered, had a great attitude, kept believing in himself, kept working hard. I think it's all those things" that have made him successful, Franklin said. "I think it's size, it's strength, it's speed, it's mentality. … He is really confident. The guy comes to work every single day, and the more success you have day in and day out, [the more] it's going to translate to games on Saturday. I see that with him." Nassib's high-revving motor could propel him all the way to the professional ranks if he decides to hold off on medical school, his stated plan aBer collecting his biology degree in December. Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said during the off-season that Nassib "could be a five- or 10-year veteran in the NFL." If so, he'll have a lot of people to thank, from the coaches who gave him a shot to the teammates who have helped put him in a position to excel. But mostly, he'll have himself. Said Franklin, "He's one of the more driven guys that I know." M A T T H E R B | M a T T @ B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M S E P T E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 1 5 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 13 End game A fierce determination fuels Carl Nassib's rise to prominence NASSIB

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