Penn State's depth chart reveals new-look lines

His opening statement, tilted microphone and elevated stage all aside, Penn State coach James Franklin spoke Tuesday just like any one of his 107,000 strong fans have all summer.

Engaged in his first weekly press conference of the season, Franklin voiced a great excitement about the Lions and anticipation for their season. Then his commentary swung to the remade offensive line and its overhauled defensive counterpart. He later sprinkled in answers regarding special teams, tight ends and secondary play.

But the focus of this presser, brought on by the earlier release of Penn State's first official depth chart, remained in the trenches. And for good reason, particularly when considering the offensive side. As told by the man himself:

"Well, I think that's what we're all waiting to see," Franklin said of the O-line's progress.

Much of that progress will be determined by Brendan Mahon, the Lions' starting left tackle charged with protecting Trace McSorley's blind side and halting the revolving door at his new position. Mahon, a redshirt junior, earned his new gig through a rugged camp performance that garnered the attention of coaches and teammates alike,

"He saw all the competition that we were having at the tackle position and felt like he could help them," Franklin said. "Talking to our defensive ends and it's all interesting, getting the perspective of, not just with the coaches, but also of the players, the guys that they hate going against. And Mahon has really earned everybody's respect."

Slotted next to Mahon is redshirt freshman Ryan Bates, who nearly lost his redshirt late last season. But Penn State's staff, through lengthy debate, resisted the urge to deploy him, and now Bates' off-season work will allow him to potentially contribute for the next four years.

"There's a lot of excitement about him," Franklin said of Bates, "his athleticism, his intelligence, his approach."

Veteran center Brian Gaia, Derek Dowrey and top tackle Andrew Nelson round out the right side of the unit. Gaia is one of three captains and a dozen seniors on the team, a group tied for the second smallest senior class in all of FBS.

On the opposite line, praise was in abundance for those Lions working to replace three departed starters, each 2016 NFL draft pick. Kevin Givens, a young defensive tackle headed for All-American status by the way his teammates have spoken, will team up with Parker Cothren in the middle. Cothren shed some light on Given's practice dominance.

"He's just one big play after another," Cothren said. "He's in the backfield all the time."

Garrett Sickels' new defensive end partner, Evan Schwan, has taken filling Carl Nassib's shoes to a new level. Schwan has even gone so far as to adopt Nassib's sleep, diet and training habits, with the hope of also replicating his late-bloomer legacy.

"We're expecting good things out of (Schwan)," Franklin said. "I've just been very, very pleased and proud of him with how he's approached everything, his leadership, his understanding of this is kind of his time. He's put in five years waiting for this opportunity and really approached it the right way and run with it."

Defensive tackle Curtis Cothran did not appear on the depth chart, yet remains "in the mix," per Franklin. Redshirt sophomore Noah Beh, who appeared in all 13 games last year, was similarly missing.

Late-arrival Tyrell Chavis, a JUCO transfer to the defensive tackle spot, did not appear, either. However he's already made his presence felt on and off the field.

"He's a really funny guy. Everyone on the team loves him," Cothren said. "He came in right at the start of camp and just fit right in with the guys. Great football player, too."

Nick Bowers out for season: The redshirt freshman tight end was ruled out for the entirety of 2016 for reasons unspecified by Franklin on Tuesday. The Kittanning native was in contention for playing time at a position that severely disappointed in 2015. More recently, he posted a video of himself dunking clear over Saquon Barkley, which had gone viral.

Junior Mike Gesicki stands atop the tight end depth chart, ahead of Tom Pancoast and Jonathan Holland.

"I think (Gesicki) is a guy that everybody within our program is expecting him to have a big year," Franklin said.

Kent State talk: Franklin opened by touting the Golden Flashes' defense, which finished 27th in the country in total yards allowed. Kent State went 3-9 a year ago, losing at both Illinois and Minnesota early in the season. The Golden Flashes return eight defensive starters and all 11 on offense.

Senior wideout DaeSean Hamilton went in-depth on their secondary.

"They are one of the more aggressive groups we've seen from the past, just looking at a couple days of film of them," Hamilton said. "And then we know that their safeties are very aggressive players, as well; they want to come up and play the run and also they are pretty good in coverage. It will be a pretty good matchup for us this weekend."

Saturday's kickoff at Beaver Stadium, the program's first home season opener since 2012, is slated for 3:30 p.m.