Theo Johnson brings experience at TE for Penn State
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The following is part of a position-by-position preview for Penn State's football team.
Position: Tight end
Returning starter: None, but Theo Johnson made 20 catches and led the team at 16.4 yards per reception last year plus four touchdowns.
Key losses: Brenton Strange (32 catches, five TDs, drafted by Jacksonville in second round)
Keep an eye on: Tyler Warren, 15 catches and four TDs in two seasons, has experience and is used in short-yardage sets. Khalil Dinkins and Jerry Cross are the projected backups.
Statistically speaking: Tight end has generally replaced the fullback position, and the Nits got 62 catches out of it last year - almost five per game.
Quoting James Franklin: "Khalil could be one of those guys that we're talking a lot more about in Game 5 that we're not talking about now. He is big. He is strong. He is fast, and he's matured a ton since he's been on campus and really over the past year."
What to expect: Should be a solid position. Maybe Dinkins emerges as the backup. But at 6-6, 260, the rangy Johnson has NFL prospect written all over him and should be a primary target. He was charged with misdemeanors for a fraternity fight in February but placed in an ARD program for first-time offenders and is eligible to have his record expunged. Depending on discipline, that could relegate him initially to a slow start.
-- By NEIL RUDEL