Penn State’s depth chart is mostly a formality at this point. Beyond any battles going on along the offensive and defensive lines everything else is as one would expect. There is no publicly announced starting quarterback and all of the known returning talent is still filling a starting role.
While the starting 11 on both sides of the ball is more or less set in stone the three-deep roster does show a few changes since June 13 that could lend some insight into up and coming Nittany Lion talent. It’s no guarantee of eventual success but at least a few of these moves will translate into important playing time.
Garry Gilliam (RT): Gilliam was only listed as the second left tackle behind Donovan Smith when the June depth chart came out. Given Smith’s job security it didn’t look like Gilliam was in for a lot of playing time. But the transition seems to have gone from second string left tackle to sharing the starting right tackle position with Adam Gress. Gilliam is huge at 6-foot-6, 303 pounds and has managed his new frame with ease. The starting spot is officially up for grabs but if Gilliam has been able to effectively jump three players already at his position then things must be looking up for him. Gilliam’s rise knocks Kevin Blanchard out of the third right tackle spot on the chart.
Brandon Bell (OLB): The entire linebacker corps is a bit up in the air in terms of depth but since June Brandon Bell went from unlisted to second behind Nyeem Wartman. Charles Idemudia held the second spot in that rotation but now sits in the fourth spot behind Wartman, Bell and Adam Cole. As a true freshman it will be interesting to see how Bell adjusts to the game out of the gate but he seems to be making plenty of strides forward. Wartman is poised to hold down the starting job but Bell could see more and more of the field if his upward progress continues.
Von Walker (KR): Walker, a Central Mountain product entered the summer unlisted on Penn State’s depth chart but has been one of Bill O’Brien’s favorite players to talk about. As a result Walker has found himself climbing the depth chart all the way to the third spot on the kick return unit. There has been nothing but praise coming Walker’s way so it’ll be interesting to see how often he gets a chance to perform and how those early performances go.
Honorable Mention:
In June, State College’s Alex Kenney was listed as the No. 2 kick returner behind Bill Belton. As of August 26, Kenney isn’t listed on the kick return unit. It’s unclear if that’s a result of Kenney’s performance at the position or the emergence of the likes of Eugene Lewis or increasingly hyped freshman Von Walker.
