PSU Nittany Lions

Deion Barnes smiled under his flat-brimmed Yankees cap Wednesday. He laughed and seemed relaxed with reporters crowding around him with their cameras and recorders.

He shook his head -- but still continued grinning -- as he talked about missing some sacks during the regular season. He didn't seem disappointed, didn't seem angry with himself, but his parents seemed to intimate that was just a show for the media.

"I go by what he thinks he should do," his mother, Cynthia, said. "And he said he wanted to have like 13 sacks and, when he didn't get that, he was disappointed."

She turned to her husband, Mike, and asked him for some reassurance. He agreed: "Oh yeah, he was disappointed."

"Do you ever watch him when he doesn't get a sack?" Cynthia asked. "He. Is. Pissed. He doesn't want anyone to say anything or touch him. He just comes back with a vengeance."

Barnes left that anger on the field on Wednesday, but the defensive end spoke passionately about his first season as a starter. He led the Nittany Lions with six sacks as a redshirt freshman, and his trophy for Big Ten freshman of the year still rests on a mantle back home in north Philadelphia. But he didn't talk about his successes on Wednesday. No, he talked about the misses.

He didn't smile because he was pleased with six sacks. He shook his head because, he said, he should've had at least 10.

Four months have passed since he last threw on shoulder pads and stepped foot inside Beaver Stadium, but he still remembers those missed sacks. He talked about them as if they happened yesterday. He can't seem to forget; he knows them all. Each and every one.

"I had one missed against Iowa, two against Temple -- one against Temple, I can't believe I missed. It was like he was right there," Barnes said, extending his arms as if still trying to wrap up that signal-caller. "And I missed one against Ohio State, too."

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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Every spring, a few players step up and offer the first glimpses of an upcoming breakout season. Often, the media can only guess and project since they're not at every practice, weightlifting session and team meeting.

The players, however, are there and can see who might be the next Deion Barnes or Allen Robinson. So, NittanyNation polled several players inside the Lasch Football Building on Wednesday and also took information from Wednesday teleconferences.

The question: Who's made the biggest impact this spring or who's been the biggest surprise? Here's what Penn State's veterans had to say:

Linebacker Glenn Carson: "I'm really impressed with Jesse James. He's had a great winter. That kid's just an animal. I'm really excited to watch him play this year. I think he's a freak athlete. I think he can do amazing things. And if you haven't been impressed by him yet, I think you're going to be even more impressed by him next year."

Offensive guard John Urschel: "Ty Howle is a great center and a great football player. I'd say he's one of the most underrated football players on our team. You don't hear about him enough. I don't think you guys talk about him enough. I don't think we're going to have any problems with him playing at center."

Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones: "I really think Austin Johnson, Derek Dowrey and Brian Gaia. They're young, but they're showing a lot of ability. They're going to be great down the road. I'm happy seeing their competitiveness in spring ball."

Safety Malcolm Willis: "It's a number of guys. If I had to pick one, it'd probably be John Urschel. He comes in every day early and gets his workout in early. And pound for pound, he's probably one of the strongest guys on the team. Mike Hull, he's another guy who works his butt off. Adrian Amos. Zach Zwinak -- I work out with him in the weight room every day, and the amount of weight he can put up, it's crazy. Those are a couple of the guys who have really impressed me so far."

Offensive tackle Adam Gress: "I'd have to say a lot of the defensive linemen are coming along. All of the younger guys are really working hard, and the guys I was playing against on the scout team last year, now those guys are players. They're people we compete with. So that group's made a lot of progress. ... Austin Johnson's definitely made a lot of progress."

Linebacker Mike Hull: "Nyeem [Wartman] has looked good so far. He's doing a great job filling in. I think he's going to be a great player for us. We just need to all come together as a unit. He's looking good so far, so we just have to see how he progresses."

Defensive end Deion Barnes: "I think it would be Kyle Baublitz. I think he's doing a great job right now. Whoever's been talking to him has done a great job because he's come out of his shell. I've never seen him like this before."

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- While Bill O'Brien's voice carried over the field Monday afternoon, quarterbacks coach Charlie Fisher directed his players in a calmer manner.

During position drills at Penn State's first spring practice, Fisher stood about five yards in front of his four quarterbacks as they took turns taking three- and five-step drops. The quartet of red jerseys would look at Fisher, quickly scan the field and then throw to a stationary receiver.

"Eyes here," Fisher told sophomore Steven Bench in a conversational tone, pointing to his his right. "Work through it, work through it."

Bench or Tyler Ferguson could wind up as the starting quarterback come Aug. 31, and Monday offered a glimpse of the two signal-callers. Media were invited to attend 20 minutes of open practice, and O'Brien began by calling together a competition: A defensive back would line up against a wideout or tight end in press coverage, while Bench and Ferguson would alternate snaps.

The first team -- offense or defense -- to win three battles would be declared the winner. The losers would be forced to perform five hit-its. It was more for honor than anything and only four passes were thrown while the quarterbacks tried to shake off the rust.

Bench began by just overthrowing Allen Robinson on a roughly 35-yard pass, and Ferguson then hit Jesse James in stride downfield on an over-the-shoulder grab. Bench followed that up by throwing behind his target on cross route, and Ferguson barely overthrew Matt Lehman for two straight incompletions.

The offense, along with Ferguson and Bench, then hit the turf for their hit-its while the defense cheered.

"They're both athletic, they both can throw the football," O'Brien said during a Monday news conference. "Now it's going to depend on how well they make decisions and how accurately they throw the ball.

"They sit in the front row, they pay attention, they take a lot of notes. It's a fun group to be around."

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In the next week, NittanyNation will be taking a glance at different positions and their outlook for next season.

OFFENSIVE LINE

• Who: A healthy Donovan Smith could be the star on this line for the next few years, but offensive guards John Urschel -- a first-team All-Big Ten selection -- and Miles Dieffenbach are also solid returning starters. There's a lot of depth here, with three returning backups who saw a lot of time on the field last season. Angelo Mangiro, Ty Howle and Adam Gress will likely compete for the openings left with the graduations of Matt Stankiewitch and Mike Farrell. Gress filled in when Smith was injured, but that right tackle position is probably the biggest question mark right now.

• Strengths: There's a lot of options on the offensive line, and this remains one of the deeper positions for the Nittany Lions. Incoming freshmen Brendan Mahon and Andrew Nelson will add further quality depth, and the interior was definitely a strong point last season. Tailback Zach Zwinak often ran through holes paved by the guards, and that figures to be a big plan of the offensive attack again next season. Zwinak was almost never tackled in the backfield.

• Weaknesses: This line has to get better when it comes to picking up the blitz. Ohio State really took advantage and often brought an extra rusher to completely disrupt Penn State's offensive rhythm. PSU was relatively average in pass protection -- finishing No. 51 in the nation in sacks allowed (1.75 per game) -- and filling the hole left by Stankiewitch will be a tall task.

• Player to watch: Gress. There's more depth on the interior, and that makes RT Gress all the more important. He was penciled in as the spring starter last year but lost his starting job to Farrell and struggled at times. When Smith was injured, it was pretty evident the line wasn't the same -- and Gress' offseason should be closely watched to see what strides he can make.

• Overall: Thanks to an improved strength-and-conditioning program, Penn State's offensive line appears to be on its way to becoming a stronger unit -- literally. Mangiro and Howle are more than competent enough to take over at center, but Stankiewitch was one of the best players in the nation at his position. The departures of Farrell and Stankiewitch could definitely lead to a few early growing pains on this offensive line, but Smith is primed for a breakout season. It'll be interesting to see what another year training with Craig Fitzgerald will do for this unit.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Stan Hixon stood near the sideline with shorts, short sleeves and a wide smile during a warm afternoon practice.

"Nice weather," said a visitor. "Wish it were Saturday."

"Me too," a grinning Hixon said, before jogging off to coach the receivers.

Hixon later had reason to smile -- his wideouts caught everything in preparation of Saturday's Northwestern game. The assistant head coach stood 12 yards in front of the quarterbacks and didn't raise his voice once during the open session of Wednesday's practice.

He glanced down a few times at a folded piece of paper, directed his players in a soft tone and sometimes pulled a player aside. He'd pump his arms to mimic route-running and send the player off with a pat.

Matt McGloin completed seven straight passes to Hixon's wideouts, mostly on intermediate routes, before a large digital clock showed all zeroes to indicate the drill was over. No wideout dropped a pass, and the only incompletion -- from Steven Bench -- came on a miscommunication with Matt Zanellato.

Trevor Williams caught two balls for 36 yards, Allen Robinson grabbed two receptions for 28 yards, and Brandon Moseby-Felder had two grabs for 21 yards. Alex Kenney also caught a 16-yard pass.

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Miles Dieffenbach doesn't just have to worry about written tests in math and English -- he studies feverishly for his weekly Thursday football exam, too.

There's no Scantron, no multiple-choice and no true-false softballs inside the Lasch Football Building. Instead, Penn State assistant Mac McWhorter distributes in-depth, open-ended exams to the offensive linemen.

The coach diagrams the opponent's favorite blitzes and depth chart, and the linemen must choose plays that best counter the opposition's look.

"It's not so much a grade, but moreso letting us know where we messed up," Dieffenbach said. "They don't want us to use our notes, and we try to fill it out as best we can and then we give it to the coaches and, the next day, they give it back."

McWhorter's weekly test is as unavoidable as contact during blocking drills. Everyone's required to sit down and take the exam -- starters, backups, even injured players.

There are no exceptions because Bill O'Brien has emphasized maintaining a rotation and fresh line. Backups Angelo Mangiro and Ty Howle will find themselves in at guard at some point, while Eric Shrive and Adam Gress will rotate in at tackle.

"Anytime you can add depth, that's good," O'Brien said. "I think these guys are playing well together."

Penn State's rushing average has slowy risen since Week 2 -- from 2.9 yards a carry to 3.9 to 4.1. And players believe the offensive line's improvement is a big reason for that.

Zach Zwinak initially shrugged Saturday when asked how this team has improved its running offense, especially when it started four different tailbacks in four weeks. Zwinak thought for another moment before settling on the answer.

"The offensive line," he said. "They've been playing really well."

Dieffenbach said he's improved his exam results every week, but he knows the real test -- the tougher test -- comes Saturday. Illinois is the best defensive line they've seen yet, and O'Brien said the unit reminded him a lot of Penn State's.

Dieffenbach agreed.

"I would definitely say this is the best front four," he said. "They're the biggest, strongest, fastest."

McWhorter will have another exam waiting for Dieffenbach and Co. on Thursday. Reporters and fans may not know the test results, but Saturday will likely be a good indicator.

"It's a pretty in-depth kind of exam," Dieffenbach added.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Another open practice, another question at tailback.

Bill Belton missed the beginning of Wednesday's open practice, but Derek Day stretched and practiced with the running backs. Day is recovering from a separated shoulder, and he's still questionable for Saturday.

Day's recovery is ahead of Belton's, according to Bill O'Brien, but the coach still couldn't guarantee either would play Saturday. If neither tailback can go, Penn State will likely go with what worked last week: Michael Zordich and Curtis Dukes.

Zordich got the nod Wednesday with the first-team offense near the goal-line, while Dukes watched from the sideline.

"These guys get beat up during the season. They're running backs," O'Brien said Tuesday. "That's the nature of the position, so the next guy has got to be ready to go."

Zordich and Dukes took turns catching short passes from the quarterbacks and practiced a few drills with assistant coach Charles London. Zordich showed good hands and balance, but Dukes and Zach Zwinak struggled staying in-bounds on throws near the sideline.

On one play, Zwinak caught the ball on the run and slipped while he cut -- leaving about a foot-long divot near the sideline.

Open tryouts: While practice was under way, about 70 students gathered inside neighboring Holuba Hall in hopes to make the football team -- likely as part of the scout team.

O'Brien said he hoped to find a few defensive backs or linemen, but it's clear he wouldn't turn down a kicker. With Matt Marcincin's departure last week -- and Sam Ficken's struggles -- Penn State could certainly use another place-kicker.

Strength and conditioning coach Craig Fitzgerald timed some players, while another man told the potential walk-ons the theme of the day was "follow directions."

Injuries: Left tackle Donovan Smith also did not appear during the 30-minute open window of Wednesday practice.

O'Brien said if Smith couldn't practice Tuesday, he likely wouldn't play Saturday. Mike Farrell and Adam Gress took over at the tackle spots in his absence.

True freshman linebacker Nyeem Wartman was not dressed and limped with a large ice pack on his knee. Even O'Brien didn't try to hide the severity of his injury Tuesday.

"I wouldn't expect him back for a while," he said.

Kickin' Ficken: Ficken made his first field goal attempt in practice from about 37 yards but missed his second a hair right. He nailed his third.

"I have belief in Sam," O'Brien said Tuesday.

Kevin DiSanto converted his pair of attempts, although they were about 10 yards shorter than Ficken's tries.

Splitting up: Tight ends Kyle Carter and Paul Jones play at a lot of spots as f-tight ends, but it was interesting to see them both split wide -- together -- on Wednesday.

Jones caught a few good passes Wednesday, although the offense kept it simple while the media was watching. McGloin and Steven Bench didn't attempt a pass over 10 yards, but Jones did manage to haul in an over-the-middle pass that was thrown slightly below his waist.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Zach Zwinak, you're up.

With Bill Belton limited because of a sprained left ankle -- seemingly wrapped with a roll of tape -- and Derek Day nursing a shoulder injury, Penn State reached down deep on the depth chart for Wednesday evening's practice.

A fourth-string tailback in April, Zwinak worked with the starters during a 30-minute practice session open to the media. Zwinak has just six career carries for nine yards.

Belton and Day were both dressed but did not participate in contact drills, and it's not yet clear whether they'll play in Saturday's game against Navy. If they can't go, it now appears Zwinak will be the No. 1 -- and fullback Michael Zordich will back him up.

Zordich practiced with the second-string, while Curtis Dukes watched from the sideline. Even with the injuries, it seems as if the 245-pound Dukes still can't climb into the starting spot -- despite leading all returning rushers with 237 yards and a 5.8 yard-per-carry average.

Shawney Kersey's departure: Without Kersey, true freshman Trevor Williams and redshirt junior Brandon Moseby-Felder split time at the outside role.

Williams is listed ahead of Moseby-Felder on the depth chart, but Moseby-Felder brings some much-needed experience to the receiving corps. Neither really differentiated himself during the 30 minutes open to the media -- but Williams will likely get the nod.

New look at TE: For the second straight week, former quarterback Paul Jones did not wear a red shirt at practice. Instead, he caught balls from Matt McGloin and new No. 2 quarterback Steven Bench.

He was split wide on the media's way out and dropped one pass about 15 yards downfield. He clapped his hands, let an expletive fly and then jogged back to the huddle.

Offensive line: Left tackle Donovan Smith was not in pads and did not practice Wednesday.

His absence in parts of the Ohio game was easy to see, and he will be missed if he cannot return in time. He was not listed on the injury report, but Bill O'Brien said Tuesday Smith has some "bumps and bruises."

Mike Farrell replaced him at left tackle, and Adam Gress started on the right.

Kickin' Ficken: Sam Ficken opened the practice by attempting five field goals between 30 and 40 yards -- and he made them all.

Yes, the same kicker who made just 1-for-5 against the Cavaliers was perfect at practice. But, as O'Brien said Tuesday, consistency is the key with Ficken.

Other injuries: Defensive end Pete Massaro and linebacker Nyeem Wartman were also not in pads.

Massaro said he's battling a shoulder injury -- in addition to a previously torn ACL that's still healing -- while Wartman has issues with his knee. Deion Barnes becomes the unquestioned starter with Massaro's injury.

Tight ends: Kyle Carter is obviously the f-tight end but Matt Lehman practiced as the starter at the y-tight end spot, ahead of Garry Gilliam.

Lehman's seen more time since a touchdown grab Week 1, and the Lions practiced one play with Carter, Lehman and Jones lined up -- definitely not something that was expected in the preseason.

Scouting report: Several NFL scouts were in attendance Wednesday, and most appeared to be watching defense.

The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers were among the teams represented.