Penn State's spring football primer: Key storylines, questions and players for the Nittany Lions

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Penn State head coach James Franklin shares a laugh with running back Miles Sanders during the start of practice in Holuba Hall on Dec. 15, 2017.Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Spring practice is set for this week and it may be the most interesting spring of James Franklin’s five-year tenure at Penn State. The Nittany Lions are in much better shape, talent-wise, in Year Five. But it’s going to be strange seeing Penn State go through drills without familiar faces Saquon Barkley, Mike Gesicki, Grant Haley, Jason Cabinda, DaeSean Hamilton and a few others. So many questions, so many interesting players this year.
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Penn State tight ends coach Ricky Rahne during practice on Aug. 30, 2017.Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Penn State cornerback Lamont Wade looks on during the Northwestern game at Ryan Field.Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Who are the players to watch? What are the position battles to watch? Which Penn State assistant coach is under the microscope? We could go in a lot of different directions when it comes to the Lions in spring. But in 2018, after back-to-back 11-win seasons, a Big Ten championship and a Fiesta Bowl win, here are my storylines, players and questions for Penn State.

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The young linebackers in focus

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Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver KJ Hamler and linebacker Jesse Luketa during strength and conditioning on Feb. 28, 2018Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Jason Cabinda? He’ll be at Penn State Pro Day on Tuesday. You can expect to see Brandon Smith there, as well. Those two are now former Penn State linebackers and the Lions are also replacing outside linebacker Manny Bowen, who is no longer with the team. The good news? Koa Farmer returns at one outside linebacker spot and the coaching staff believes Cam Brown is ready to make an impact at the position. But the spring will be all about the young guys.
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Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Micah Parsons is congratulated by head coach James Franklin after his squat during strength and conditioning on Feb. 28, 2018Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Micah Parsons. Jesse Luketa. Nick Tarburton. Three true freshman linebackers, all of them January enrollees. These players are unique talents, blessed with size, speed and instincts. Expectations are great for Parsons, the blue chip from Harrisburg High School. But Luketa and Tarburton are also capable of turning heads in spring.
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Just another spring for Tommy Stevens?

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Penn State quarterback Tommy Stevens scores on a 10-yard pass during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on Sept. 16, 2017.Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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If there is one player that seems to consistently fascinate the Penn State fan base, it’s backup dual-threat quarterback Tommy Stevens, one of the better athletes on the team. Stevens, entering his redshirt junior season, is stuck behind standout Trace McSorley. He can clearly impact the game for PSU in a positive way. He scored touchdowns via the run, pass and catch in limited opportunities last season. Tommy is expected to graduate in spring. That means he’s eligible to transfer.
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Penn State quarterback Tommy Stevens dives over the goal line for a 3-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter at Maryland Stadium on Nov. 25, 2017. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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What will Stevens decide to do? What will Penn State do to make sure he stays? It shapes up as a curious storyline for James Franklin’s program. The Lions created the “Lion” position for him and the idea is to get Stevens on the field as much as possible, even if he’s not the starting quarterback. A happy Stevens could make life miserable for opposing defenses in the fall, particularly in the red zone.

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Who are the best five on the O-line?

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Penn State offensive lineman Steven Gonzalez jokes with injured offensive lineman Ryan Bates following the 35-6 win over Rutgers at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 11, 2017. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Penn State’s offensive line looms as a team strength in 2018. And that’s huge news, given how much of a struggle it was for the Lions’ first two O-lines under James Franklin. PSU must replace guard-tackle Brendan Mahon but there are many players with starting experience. Add in the fact that James Franklin has recruited well and there are a few promising second-year players coming off their redshirt seasons, and it’s going to be quite a competitive spring for the linemen.
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Penn State offensive line coach Matt Limegrover talks to center Connor McGovern and offensive lineman Brendan Mahonduring the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 11, 2017. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Ryan Bates, Connor McGovern, Will Fries, Steven Gonzalez and Chasz Wright likely begin the season as Penn State’s best five linemen. But line coach Matt Limegrover also has talented Michal Menet in reserve and Penn State’s coaching staff also can turn to youngsters Mike Miranda, C.J. Thorpe, Des Holmes an Alex Gellerstedt.
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Is Miles Sanders ready for the full workload?

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Penn State running back Miles Sanders runs away from Rutgers defensive back Isaiah Wharton during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 11, 2017. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Saquon Barkley may have been the most talented player in college football last season. He was an elite runner and receiver and he also improved as a pass blocker. Three years were enough for Barkley, who ran for 1,000-plus yards every season. He cannot be replaced. But Penn State has a major talent in junior Miles Sanders, who is considered Barkley’s heir apparent.
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Sanders, a western Pennsylvania standout, just hasn’t received many reps with Penn State’s first-team offense the last two years. But he is gifted, a runner who has speed, size and the ability  to contribute as a receiver. But you never really know about a player until he gets the job done the first time. Sanders would seem to be in line for 200-plus carries. Is he ready?
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Ricky Rahne's first spring in charge

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Penn State offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne and tight ends coach Tyler Bowen during the start of practice in Holuba Hall on Dec. 15, 2017.Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Saquon Barkley and Mike Gesicki aren’t the only ones missing from this spring practice, Penn State is also moving on from a number of talented assistant coaches. Right at the top of the list is Joe Moorhead, who left PSU’s offensive coordinator position to take the Mississippi State head coaching job. That means it’s Ricky Rahne’s offense now. So what, if anything, will change in 2018?
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Penn State offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne during the start of practice in Holuba Hall on Dec. 15, 2017.Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Rahne isn’t a fan of the fullback position, for starters. And he used the shovel pass quite a bit in the PSU’s Fiesta Bowl win over Washington. But Rahne can lean on veteran quarterback Trace McSorley, who is pretty much a coach on the field at this point in his career. The biggest change? I expect Rahne to make sure backup quarterback Tommy Stevens is more involved in the offense. He can help as a runner, receiver and passer.

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Lamont Wade transitions to a new spot

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Penn State's Lamont Wade and Johnathan Thomas during the Fiesta Bowl win over Washington on Dec. 30, 2017. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Young Penn State defensive back Lamont Wade is changing zip codes. Wade, the Clairton star, is moving from cornerback to safety in his second year. Wade played as a true freshman and he can impact the game as a slot corner and on special teams as well. The move to safety makes sense for a couple of reasons.
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Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Lamont Wade loosens up during strength and conditioning on Feb. 28, 2018Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Wade is a talented player who needs to be on the field. The Lions have several corners they like, led by John Reid and Amani Oruwariye. And PSU doesn’t have many safeties they can trust back in 2018. Starters Marcus Allen and Troy Apke are gone and Wade adds depth and athleticism to the Penn State safety room. Is he going to start? His play in spring will offer some clues.

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The biggest position concern

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Penn State linebackers Manny Bowen and Jason Cabinda sack Michigan quarterback John O'Korn during the third quarter on Oct. 21, 2017.Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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There are plenty of positions that Penn State coach James Franklin and his staff must address in spring and summer but when you’re talking about Linebacker U., that’s a good place to start. The Lions lose Jason Cabinda, Brandon Smith and Manny Bowen and that means Koa Farmer, a converted safety, is the lone returning starter. He is one athletic outside linebacker. But who will be joining him on the field?
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Penn State linebacker Koa Farmer moves in on Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins during the first quarter at Ohio Stadium on Oct. 28, 2017.Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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It’s a big spring for true freshmen linebackers Micah Parsons, Nick Tarburton and Jesse Luketa. All of them have the talent to play in the fall and Parsons, who many thought would be a defensive end or an outside linebacker, is going to work at middle linebacker. Cam Brown is a top contender to start at outside linebacker and Jan Johnson and Jake Cooper could factor in as reserves, or possibly starters.

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