UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Football coach Bill O’Brien today released Penn State’s post-spring practice depth chart, which shows numerous position battles will take place during pre-season training camp in August.
The Nittany Lions face the first of 10 bowl opponents from last year when Ohio visits Beaver Stadium for the Sept. 1 season opener.
"There will be a lot of position battles to determine starters during training camp," O’Brien stated. "Quarterback and a handful of other positions are the only ones that I feel are set at this point."
O’Brien announced last Friday (June 1) that fifth-year senior Matt McGloin (Scranton) would be the Nittany Lions’ starting quarterback. Redshirt sophomore Paul Jones (McKees Rocks) is No. 2 on the depth chart at quarterback.
Eight wide receivers and seven tight ends are listed on the depth chart for the Pro-style offense the Nittany Lions began implementing during spring drills. O’Brien said earlier this spring there would be two tight end positions – Y and F – and that selected tight ends could play both positions. Redshirt junior Garry Gilliam (Carlisle), who is returning after missing the 2011 season with a knee injury, and true freshman Jesse James (Glassport) are listed 1-2 at the Y position. Redshirt freshman Kyle Carter (Bear, Del.) and junior Kevin Haplea (Annandale, N.J.) are listed 1-2 at the F position.
"We will be a multiple personnel grouping team, particularly at wide receiver and tight end," O’Brien said.
Twelve seniors are listed on the first team; seven on defense and five on offense. Senior wide receiver Justin Brown (Wilmington, Del.) has 19 career starts, the most among all returnees. Senior defensive tackle Jordan Hill’s (Steelton) 17 career starts lead all returning defensive players.
The depth chart also revealed a couple of position changes since the end of spring practice:
– Sophomore Adrian Amos (Baltimore) has returned to cornerback after playing safety at the conclusion of spring drills. Amos and redshirt junior Derrick Thomas (Greenbelt, Md.) are listed as the top two candidates at right cornerback;
– Redshirt sophomore Kyle Baublitz (York) has been shifted from defensive end to the top reserve at one of the defensive tackle spots behind senior returning senior starter and All-Big Ten candidate Hill;
– Redshirt freshman Anthony Zettel (West Branch, Mich.) has moved from defensive tackle to defensive end. Zettel and redshirt freshman Deion Barnes (Philadelphia) will enter pre-season camp in August battling for the No. 2 spot behind fifth-year senior Pete Massaro (Newtown Square).
Penn State returns 35 letterwinners and 10 starters for the upcoming season (5 offense, 4 defense, 1 specialist), as well as 17 players that have starting experience.
The Nittany Lions will report for training camp on Sunday, August 5, with the first practice scheduled for the following day. Final exams for the second summer academic session are August 10 and classes for the fall semester begin Monday, August 27.
Season tickets are available for the 2012 season, with the Nittany Lions hosting five teams that played in a bowl game last year and playing 10 bowl teams overall. Penn State will host Ohio State (Oct. 27, 6 p.m.), Wisconsin (Nov. 24-Senior Day), Northwestern (Oct. 6, 12 p.m.-Homecoming), Indiana (Nov. 17), Navy (Sept. 15-Military Appreciation Day), Temple (Sept. 22-All-University Day) and Ohio (Sept. 1) in Beaver Stadium this fall.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.GoPSUsports.com or call 1-800-648-8269 (1-800-NITTANY) weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The pricing of 2012 Penn State football game tickets and accompanying donation levels is the same as in 2011.