EARLY BIRD 2007 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2006
PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS
OFFENSE - 9
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 6
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: BranDon Snow-FB, Tony Hunt-TB, Levi Brown-OT, Robert Price-OG
DEFENSE: Tim Shaw-DE, Jay Alford-DT, Ed Johnson-DT, Paul Posluszny-ILB, Donnie Johnson-FS, Jeremy Kapinos-P
Receiver/Secondary

Derrick Williams and Deon Butler were part of some highly rated recruiting classes. They will play a huge role in this offensive scheme. The secondary returns two All-Big Ten performers in King and Scirrotto.

Defensive Line

The DL represents the biggest rebuilding area. For PSU to push the conference big boys, this group has to develop quickly in the run-heavy Big Ten.

WR Derrick Williams
 
LB Dan Connor
 

* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2007 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
PENN STATE 2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Anthony Morelli-Sr Daryll Clark-So
FB Matt Hahn-Sr ..
TB Rodney Kinlaw-Sr A.J. Wallace-So / Austin Scott-Sr (inj.)
WR Derrick Williams-Jr Terrell Golden-Sr / Brendan Perretta-Sr
WR Deon Butler-Jr Jordan Norwood-Jr
TE Andrew Quarless-So ..
OT Chris Auletta-Sr ..
OG Gerald Cadogan-Jr ..
C A.Q. Shipley-Jr ..
OG Rich Ohmberger-Jr ..
OT John Shaw-Sr ..
K Kevin Kelly-Jr ..
DEFENSE
DE Maurice Evans-So ..
DT .. ..
DT .. ..
DE Josh Gaines-Jr ..
ILB .. ..
OLB Sean Lee-Jr ..
OLB Dan Connor-Sr ..
CB Tony Davis-Jr ..
CB Justin King-Jr ..
HERO Anthony Scirrotto-Jr ..
FS .. ..
P .. ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

Just a few seasons ago, Penn State had major issues at WR. In a short amount of recruiting time, coach Paterno has rearranged this unit into a group of top-flight athletes. Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood are no longer the heralded freshmen from highly regarded recruiting classes. This, their junior year, is the time to deliver the goods in a big way. The immediate issue at hand is getting promising Pittsburgh-native Anthony Morelli to consistently deliver them the football. Morelli, in his first year of starting this past fall, did not meet some of the higher expectations some (including himself) originally felt he bought to the offensive table. A 10:8 touchdown-to-interception ration isn't going to win many tough games. All-Big Ten RB Tony Hunt's services will no longer be available. Look for young A.J. Wallace to get a try out for the job. Should Wallace turn out to be a better fit on the defensive side, hopes are that injured senior Austin Scott can return healthy to boost the run game. While this OL was short on experience in ‘06, this time around they have much of it. Having OT Levi Brown graduate to the NFL creates a big void. The rebuilding process will have to start up front on the DL. 2005 Butkus Winner Paul Posluszny will move on, which means LB Dan Connor will no longer be playing in his shadow. This is still Linebacker U., so one of the nation's better run defenses can rest (somewhat) assured knowing they have a steady group backing up a new-look front line. The secondary will be the strength of this defense led by Justin King and Anthony Scirrotto. Opponents will attempt to test this defense by running the ball between the tackles. To a large degree, this Nittany Lion’s destiny will be determined by how well the DL can mature given the physical play in this conference. The offense will be a better version than the one displayed this past fall (nation's 72nd ranked scoring offense). If Morelli can play like a senior and the new RBs can be as effective as the departed Tony Hunt, Penn State will push for another New Year's Day Bowl bid. For that to spell BCS over the likes of Michigan and Ohio State will take more work.

 

PENN STATE
2007 SCHEDULE

9-1 Florida International
9-8 Notre Dame
9-15 Buffalo
9-22 @ Michigan
9-29 @ Illinois
10-6 Iowa
10-13 Wisconsin
10-20 @ Indiana
10-27 Ohio State
11-3 Purdue
11-10 @ Temple
11-17 @ Michigan State