Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/78627
sought players on the Nittany Lions' list are Alex Anzalone of Wyomiss- ing, Pa., and Zayd Issah of Harris- burg, Pa. TOP PROSPECT Alex Anzalone SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE 2 or 3. CORNERBACK SCHOLARSHIPS 6: Stephon Morris (Sr./Sr.), Derrick Thomas (Sr./Jr.), Mike Wallace (Sr./Jr.), Adrian Amos (So./So.), Da'Quan Davis (Fr./Fr.), Jake Kiley (Fr./Fr.) and possibly Malik Golden (Fr./Fr.) OUTLOOK Looking at Penn State's scholarship roster, it appears that depth at the cornerback position just might be defensive coordinator Ted Roof's biggest concern. On the June 5 depth chart, Morris is pro- jected as the starter at the left cor- nerback position, with walk-on red- shirt sophomore Jesse Della Valle as his backup. Amos is penciled in as the starting right cornerback, with Thomas pro- jected as his competition for the starting job. Depth at both corner- back positions will have to be sup- plied by incoming freshmen Davis and Kiley, and possibly Golden. Stan Hixon, Penn State's wide re- ceivers coach, said following signing day that Golden was most likely to play on offense, probably at split end. But BWI was recently told that there's a good chance Golden will begin his college career at corner- back or free safety. At the conclusion of spring prac- tice, O'Brien said his biggest con- cerns in the secondary involved a lack of depth, not a lack of talent. "I want to make sure that I am re- ally clear about that," he said. "It is not talent. We just don't have a lot of guys there." Morris was reportedly the team's most consistent cornerback this spring, but O'Brien likes what Amos and Thomas bring to the secondary. Amos impressed the coaching staff despite missing part of the spring with a hamstring problem. "He can play [free] safety and cor- ner," O'Brien said. "He is a really good young player who we are ex- pecting big things out of." While there's no question that Amos has a bright future ahead of him, the key player here could end up being Thomas. If he proves he can start at right cornerback, Amos could then be moved to free safety. With Morris graduating and Penn State having recruited only one cor- nerback in its 2010 and 2011 classes (Amos), it appears all but certain that the coaches will try to sign two or three cornerbacks next February. They already have received a commit- ment from Douglas, but it appears they need to sign one or two more. TOP PROSPECT Nadir Barnwell – the top cornerback prospect in New Jer- sey's Class of 2013 – or Vernon Har- graeves of Tampa, Fla. SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE 2 or 3 SAFETY SCHOLARSHIPS 3: Steven Obeng- Agyapong (Sr./Jr.), Malcolm Willis (Sr./Jr.), Jordan Lucas (Fr./Fr.). OUTLOOK Depth at both safety posi- SEE CORNER, PAGE 45 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M A U G U S T 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 9