Joe Paterno entered his 43rd spring as Penn State's head coach with a big question mark at quarterback and even more questions about his contract. The Nittany Lions exited the spring with both questions unanswered.

Paterno's contract, which expires at the end of 2008, will not be renewed, and his coaching status will be determined on a season-by-season basis. He said his focus is on the '08 season, which could be a big one if a few things fall into place for Penn State.

Whether junior Daryll Clark or sophomore Pat Devlin emerges as the starter, the Nittany Lions will need consistent quarterback play to make an offense filled with talent but lacking a true superstar go. Tailbacks Evan Royster and Stephfon Green, wide receivers Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood and Derrick Williams and tight end Andrew Quarless should give Penn State balance. But the offense must be more consistent against elite opposition.

Despite a knee injury to its best player, linebacker Sean Lee, Penn State's defense looks poised for another solid season. Junior Maurice Evans leads a deep and developing defensive line, and senior Anthony Scirrotto leads a veteran secondary. Penn State has solid specialists and depth at most key positions.

The Nittany Lions have struggled on the road during the last few seasons, however, and face tough, primetime tasks at Ohio State and Wisconsin this season, as well as challenging home games against Illinois, Michigan and improving Michigan State. How well the team performs in 2008 should go a long way in determining Paterno's and Penn State's futures.

--WR Derrick Williams will be back in the slot, the position at which he did the most damage as a freshman three years ago, this fall. Williams has been productive the past two seasons but has never quite lived up to the billing of the nation's top recruit. The Nittany Lions are hoping to shorten up some routes this season if it means they can improve their yards after the catch, and the elusive Williams could be a big part of that.

--LB Sean Lee was hoping to continue the tradition set by Paul Posluszny and Dan Connor this season, but Lee, the Big Ten's second-leading tackler in 2007, tore the ACL in his right knee the week before the Blue-White spring game and will be lost for the season. Senior Tyrell Sales, junior Josh Hull and a host of talented, inexperienced players will try to collectively pick up the slack without Lee's production.

SPRING MOVERS:

TE Andrew Szczerba -- The 6-foot-5 redshirt freshman had an impressive spring even before catching five passes against the first-team defense in the Blue-White scrimmage. Talented -- currently suspended -- starter Andrew Quarless has been in and out of Paterno's doghouse his entire career, which could put the athletic Szczerba on the field earlier than anticipated.

RB Stephfon Green -- The 5-foot-9 redshirt freshman has blazing speed not seen in the Penn State backfield this decade, evidenced by his 57-yard touchdown scamper in the spring game. To earn playing time, though, he must improve his blocking and learn the patience behind his blocks that starter Evan Royster uses so well.

LB Chris Colasanti -- One of the few true freshmen to see the field for Penn State last season, Colasanti will push veteran Josh Hull for playing time in the middle. Coaches love his instincts and toughness but want to see Colasanti improve his technique and his consistency this summer.

OG Stefen Wisniewski -- The true sophomore might already be the best lineman on one of the best offensive lines Penn State has had in the Big Ten era. Wisniewski's rapid development forced the Nittany Lions to send senior Mike Lucian, a productive player at right guard last season, to the second team and another position (center).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think we have the ability to be a very diverse offensive football team. But there's only one football. There's a lot of guys who have to get their hands on the football. I think our job will be to make sure we get it to the right guy at the right time in the right place in the right situation." -- Penn State head coach Joe Paterno, before the Blue-White spring game.

2008 OUTLOOK: Penn State has to answer the question at quarterback, first and foremost. The competition is between junior Daryll Clark and sophomore Pat Devlin, and who emerges will go a long way in determining Penn State's season. And the road will play a large role in the Nittany Lions' success. They play at Ohio State and Wisconsin in 2008.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The top six offensive linemen return, as do the top three wide receivers, the top two tight ends and the second-leading rusher. Two-year starting quarterback Anthony Morelli does not return, however, setting the stage for what was the most followed position battle of the spring and should be the biggest question mark this fall. Redshirt junior Daryll Clark, who has thrown just 31 career passes, will try to hold off talented redshirt sophomore Pat Devlin. The Nittany Lions have talked about switching to a spread offense, similar to the Michael Robinson-led unit of 2005, but should also be able to execute the power running game that coach Joe Paterno prefers with tailback Evan Royster and speedy newcomer Stephfon Green and a versatile offensive line led by veteran center A.Q. Shipley. The veterans around them will give either Clark or Devlin some time to develop, but Penn State must score more points against the likes of Ohio State and Wisconsin that it did under Morelli.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The strength of Linebacker U might have been the defensive line even before Penn State lost linebacker Sean Lee to a season-ending injury. With Lee gone, the pressure is increased on the big bodies up front, but there are plenty of bodies to handle it. Junior Maurice Evans, who had 12.5 sacks last season, and senior Josh Gaines give Penn State a great pair of starting ends, and sophomore Aaron Maybin and redshirt freshmen Eric Latimore and Kevion Latham provide depth. There is even more depth at tackle, where Ollie Ogbu, Abe Koroma, Jared Odrick, Devon Still and Tom McEowen (and possibly suspended tackles Chris Baker and Phil Taylor) return. Senior Tyrell Sales and sophomore Bani Gbadyu should pace a talented but untested linebacking corps, and Penn State's veteran secondary (the nickel package includes four seniors and a junior) is solid if not terrifically athletic. If the line can stay healthy and productive, the defense could have another outstanding season.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Jeremy Boone led the Big Ten in punting as a walk-on last season. He will try to do so again this fall as a scholarship player. Senior kicker Kevin Kelly, in his fourth year as the starter, has been nearly automatic inside of 40 yards but far too inconsistent from beyond. Kickoff returner A.J. Wallace and punt returner Derrick Williams each had a touchdown return of at least 78 yards last season, and Stephfon Green could be used on kickoffs as well. Penn State must improve its kickoff return coverage (116th in the nation in 2007).

ROSTER REPORT:

--CB Tony Davis is back at his original position after spending 2007 as the starting safety. He'll be replaced at safety by Mark Rubin, who started the final five games for an injured Davis last season.

--DT Jared Odrick (broken ankle), DT Devon Still (ACL tear) and DE Jerome Hayes (ACL tear) are all coming off of serious 2007 injuries. Odrick and Still participated in spring drills in a limited capacity. The Nittany Lions hope to have Hayes available for preseason practice. Linebacker Sean Lee tore the ACL in his right knee during a spring practice and will redshirt the 2008 season.

--Penn State was planning on moving Lee from strong-side linebacker to middle linebacker, but his injury means junior Josh Hull, a walk-on, will move from the outside to the middle.

Previous Report: 03/29/2008