Penn State
Spring Football Notes
By Jay Skapinac

Questions in need of answers and other things to watch for in Happy Valley:

-  The competition for the quarterback position is wide open. Whether Pat Devlin or Daryll Clark will be slated as the starter going into the Aug. 30 opener against Coastal Carolina-or if they will be part of a dual quarterback system-is yet to be seen, but should be determined after the conclusion of spring practices.

-  Throughout the 2007 season, Evan Royster emerged as an explosive secondary option coming out of the backfield. This spring will be the first opportunity to see Royster as the primary running back.

-  As Royster prepares to move into the starting position, Brent Carter and Stephfon Green will look to surface as the second back.

-  While Royster adjusts to his expanded role, he will be joined by a new lead blocker. Fullback Dan Lawlor will fill the void left by Matt Hahn's departure.

-  The linebacker spot is another key position to keep a watch on this spring. Sean Lee is expected to take on the role of team leader left by Dan Connor, but who is actually going to replace him on the field is undecided. Josh Hull, Bani Gbadyu and Chris Colasanti will all have a chance to compete for the position this spring.

-  The biggest story lines this spring will come off of the field. Tyrell Sales was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespass in Pittsburgh last month, although charges were dismissed a few days later. Still, Sales run-in made him the seventh player to be embroiled in turmoil away from the field.

-  Starting defensive tackles Chris Baker and Phil Taylor are suspended indefinitely stemming from an on-campus incident that resulted in criminal charges being issued and ultimately dropped. Taylor has also been placed on academic probation.

-  WR Chris Bell joins Taylor on academic probation, while linebacker Navorro Bowman and defensive back Knowledge Timmons were involved in the same October 7 on-campus incident that resulted in criminal charges. The ramifications of these players' suspensions will be felt throughout spring practices and possibly beyond.

-  Starting TE Andrew Quarless has also been removed indefinitely from the team following a recent DUI. This comes on the heels of a suspension last season by Joe Paterno for an underage drinking citation by university police.

-  Mickey Shuler will take over for Quarless, and Jon Ditto and Andrew Szczerba-both coming off red shirt seasons-will also compete for time at the tight end position.

-  DE Jerome Hayes, who is still rehabbing a torn ACL, and DT Jared Odrick, who broke his hand and ankle during the course of last season, will be unable to participate in spring practices. Both are key losses due to the current state of disarray on the defensive line from the suspensions levied against Baker and Taylor.

-  Defensive tackles Ollie Ogbu and Abe Koroma will have increased importance this spring due to all of the issues facing the D-Line.

- `A.J. Wallace is expected to fill another key defensive position left open by cornerback Justin King's early entry into the NFL.

-  Another thing to watch for this spring is Joe Paterno's succession plan, or lack thereof, as well as his future with the team. His contract is up at the conclusion of the 2008 season. Penn State University athletic director Tim Curley had yet to put a timetable on the decision as this issue went to press.