The Penn State Nittany Lions are three weeks into spring practice for the 2013 season. Guys have been practicing hard and tying to impress the coaching staff. Several players need to have a strong spring in order to improve their spot on the depth chart.
While some positions have been set since last year, head coach Bill O'Brien still has a lot of decisions to make before the team takes the field on August 31 against Syracuse.
Much of the focus will be on who's gong to replace graduated quarterback Matt McGloin. Though that's an important topic, there are other position battles that bear watching. A few experienced players may be in danger of losing their spot to young, up-and-coming newcomers.
The 2012 Nittany Lions struggled on special teams, especially in the kicking game. Punter Alex Butterworth had a tough year and needs to have a big spring in order to show that he can handle the job.
He finished last in the Big Ten with an average of just 34.5 yards per punt. That number has to improve in 2013. While Butterworth enters spring practice as the team's punter, it's hard to imagine that his job is 100 percent secure.
"I want to see the improvement and strength on the field," O'Brien said. "He's really good at dropping it inside the ten, dropping it inside the five yard line. Now we have to see him when he's backed up, can he smash us out of there?"
Currently, there are two other punters on the roster this spring. Senior Eli Skinner and redshirt freshman Reynolds Parthemore are longshots to pass Butterworth at this point, but do present other options if he should struggle.
Wide receiver Alex Kenney played in 11 games last season in a limited role, though he did make one start. He's a native of State College who needs to have a big spring in order to keep his spot on the depth chart.
Last season, he caught 17 passes for 172 yards, with his best game coming in a three-catch, 50-yard performance at Virginia.
Heading into 2013, the Nittany Lions have a wealth of depth at the wide receiver position. Along with Kenney, Allen Robinson, Brandon Moseby-Felder, Trevor Williams and Matt Zanellato all caught passes last season.
Top 2012 recruit Eugene Lewis also figures to see significant time at wide receiver and could cut into Kenney's time.
Even if he loses snaps on offense, Kenney could see the field on special teams. Last year, he returned four kicks for 71 yards.
Getting a lot of playing time won't be easy for Kenney in 2013. On top of all the wide receivers, running back Bill Belton could lineup in the slot on several plays, taking even more playing time away.
Kenney is going to need to really impress the coaching staff this spring in order to hold his spot on the depth chart for 2013.
The battle to be named starting quarterback at Penn State will be the most talked about topic heading into 2013. Currently, 2012 backup Steven Bench and junior college transfer Tyler Ferguson are battling for the job.
Top recruit Christian Hackenberg will enroll this summer and will be in the mix to start if he's not given a redshirt.
Ferguson needs to have a big spring if he wants to have a chance at starting in the fall. Presumably he began the spring behind Bench due to not being familiar with O'Brien's complex offensive system. However, according to Stephen Pianovich of collegianonline.com, O'Brien said, ""Ferguson's catching up and he's doing a good job learning,"
Last year, playing for College of the Sequoias (Visalia, CA), Ferguson threw for 2,614 yards with 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
There's no doubt that Hackenberg will generate a lot of buzz when he enrolls and starts practicing. That's why Ferguson needs to step up and make a name for himself this spring.
Defensive lineman Anthony Zettlel had a breakout season last year. He played in every game, making 15 total tackles. His four sacks tied him for third on the team.
Zettel has value because he can line up at both defensive end and defensive tackle. Though he clearly has talent, a starting job in 2013 isn't automatically guaranteed. He's going to need an impressive spring t fight off those who are battling him on the depth chart.
Redshirt junior C.J. Olaniyan played in 10 games last season and even made a start in one. He finished with 15 total tackles and one sack on the year. He is a strong candidate to start at defensive tackle opposite of Deion Barnes.
While the defensive end spot may be taken, Zettel could move over and start at tackle. However, according to Dustin Hockensmith on PennLive.com, redshirt freshman Austin Johnson, "Has emerged as a candidate to start alongside senior DaQuan Jones.
Zettel will see plenty of time on the defensive line. He'll just need to really impress this spring to move into a starting position.
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