And then there were five.
Only five scholarship athletes from Penn State’s Class of 2011 – Joe Paterno’s last group of recruits — remain on the Nittany Lions’ roster as they head into spring drills next month.
As fifth-year seniors, they are the last remaining players of their 16-member class to still be playing football at Penn State:
Kyle Carter, Ben Kline, Angelo Mangiro, Matt Zanellato and Anthony Zettel.
They represent the end of an era — the last Nittany Lion scholarship players to practice and/or play under head coaches Paterno (2011), Tom Bradley (2011), Bill O’Brien (2012-13) and James Franklin (2014-15).
Their group was the last that was recruited by Paterno and his staff. They signed their letters of commitment on Feb. 2, 2011, and in characteristic Paterno fashion, Penn State announced their signing in a single-page press release, entitled, “2011 Penn State Football Signees,” featuring the players’ names, position, eligibility, high school and hometown. Online, it included a photo of Paterno.
And, when spring practice begins March 20 under Franklin’s direction, the Supa Six will be one-sixth of its former self.
The Class of 2011 featured six heralded players from five states, a sextet that labeled itself “The Supa Six.” Only tight end Kyle Carter, back for Year No. 5 after redshirting as a freshman, will be on the ’15 roster.
The Supa Six was a very significant part of the glue that held together the Penn State football program during the scandal and sanction years. Each could have left and played elsewhere immediately. None did. In all, the six players combined for 160 starts. Safety Adrian Amos, running back Bill Belton and wide receiver Allen Robinson all played as freshmen, and of the six only Carter failed to start at least 20 games – a fact he may remedy in 2015. (He has 15 starts to date.)
Although a small group, the Class of 2011 produced a high number of starters – 10 of the 16 started for the Nittany Lions at some point in their careers, and there were 11 FBS starters if you count defensive end Shawn Oakman, who emerged as a star at Baylor in 2014 after being dismissed from the team by O’Brien in March 2012.
Oakman was a success story that took awhile to happen. Four other signees in the Class of 2011 had less-than-Oakmanlike finishes to their Penn State careers. Ryan Nowicki transferred. Twice. Entangled in legal problems, Anthony Alosi was dismissed from the team by Franklin. Jordan Kerner’s career ended after an ACL injury was compounded by a bulging disc in his back. And Shyquawn Pullium never made it to the first practice.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of Penn State’s Class of 2011 – seven of whom have already earned their PSU degrees (Amos, Deoin Barnes, Carter, Ben Kline, Angelo Mangiro, Donovan Smith and Matt Zanellato):
STILL AT PENN STATE (one year of eligibility remaining)
Kyle Carter, tight end – After redshirting in 2011, Carter burst onto the scene in 2012, grabbing 36 passes for 453 yards; was named first-team Freshman All-American by five media outlets; and was a first-team All-Big Ten media selection. His production has dipped since, but he enters his fifth year on a high note after catching a TD pass in overtime from Christian Hackenberg in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Ben Kline, linebacker – Hampered by a series of injuries, Kline started a pair of games in 2013, and if healthy could play a big role in 2015. He’s president of Penn State’s Uplifting Athletes chapter.
Angelo Mangiro – He started all 13 games in 2014, at three different positions (center, tackle, guard), and will anchor the O-line this season.
Matt Zanellato, wide receiver — After redshirting in 2011, Zanellato caught two passes in 2012, four in 2013 and none in eight appearances in 2014.
Anthony Zettel, defensive tackle – After making several big plays at defensive end in 2013, Zettel had a breakout season in 2014, earning all-conference honors at defensive tackle. He had 17 tackles for a loss and eight sacks on the season, both team-highs, to go with his three interceptions, also tied for a team-best. He has 14 career starts.
FOUR AND OUT
Adrian Amos, safety – After seeing the field and even making one start as a freshman in 2011, Amos started every game in 2012, 2013 and 2014 – 38 in all. He had 147 tackles and seven interceptions in his PSU career.
Bill Belton, running back – After making a splash playing the Wildcat position as a freshman against Ohio State in 2011, Belton was switched from wide receiver to running back the next season by O’Brien. Belton made 20 starts, rushed for 1,657 yards (tying him at No. 22 all-time with Rodney Kinlaw), caught 48 passes and scored 18 touchdowns.
Deion Barnes, defensive end – In 2012, Barnes was the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year. After a down season in 2013, he rebounded with a strong 2014 and finished his PSU career with 31 starts, 98 tackles, 26.5 for a loss, and 14 sacks. A redshirt in 2011, Barnes departed with a year of eligibility remaining.
Sam Ficken, kicker – His first field goal attempt as a Penn Stater was blocked as a freshman against Temple in 2011, and his four misses against in Virginia in 2012 would have buried a lesser man. But Ficken concluded a stellar career with a walk-off PAT in Yankee Stadium, and finished as Penn State’s No. 2 all-time field goal kicker and No. 4 all-time scorer.
Donovan Smith, offensive tackle – After redshirting in 2011, Big Don was a three-year starter at left tackle, making 31 starts from 2012-14. He’s been a massive favorite of NFL scouts since announcing he was going pro, foregoing a final season of college eligibility.
THREE AND OUT
Allen Robinson, wide receiver – A-Rob played his first three seasons at PSU, then left for the NFL and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He started one game in 2011, then put together a 25-game stretch in 2012-13 that was the best in Nittany Lion history, finishing his career with 177 receptions for 2,474 yards and 17 TDs.
OUT EARLY
Anthony Alosi, offensive line – A career backup, Alosi was dismissed from the team in March 2014 after being charged with simple assault and harassment.
Jordan Kerner, defensive end – Kerner took a redshirt season in 2011, then made the decision to end his playing career in January 2013 after doctors discovered a bulging disc in his back.
Ryan Nowicki, offensive tackle – Nowicki was Tim Beckman’s prize when the Illinois head coach came to the Penn State campus in July 2012, looking to poach players. Nowicki stayed at Illinois in 2012 – he didn’t play a down — then transferred to Northern Arizona in 2013, where he played six games for the Lumberjacks.
Shawn Oakman, defensive end – Oakman was dismissed from the team by O’Brien early in 2012 after an incident at a campus convenience store. He transferred to Baylor, sat out a season, then was a key backup in 2013. In 2014, Oakman was named third-team All-American, after compiling these regular-season numbers: tackles (48), sacks (10), TFLs (18.5) and fumbles recovered (3).
NEVER IN
Shyquawn Pullium, cornerback – Pullium was part of the official 2011 class announced by Penn State, but he never made it to campus from the Kiski prep school, where he attended after graduating from Erie Cathedral Prep. Instead, he went to Blinn Community College in Texas. After the 2013 JUCO season at Blinn, Pullium was slated to sign with Kentucky, but the offer was later revoked.
Popular Stories:
Penn State Hockey: Nittany Lion Comeback Falls Short, Fall To Spartans 3-2
Penn State Basketball: Late Call Swings Game As Nittany Lions Fall 76-73 To No. 19 Maryland
Penn State Hockey: Program Generates Profit In First Year At Pegula Ice Arena
State High Athletes Sign on Letter of Intent Day
Penn State Football: Media Show Lots of Early 2015 Love for Christian Hackenberg
Big Bus Ads Here for the Long Haul
Construction Work to Close Portion of College Avenue
Curley, Schultz Appeal Judge’s Decision To Not Dismiss Charges
Pa. Supreme Court Denies Petition from Centre County District Attorney
Emotional Funeral Service Honors State College Police Officer
Lions Pride’s THON Promotion Helps Cancer Patients Smile
