Another Penn State success must begin with these young guns now

James Franklin and his staff have made significant recruiting gains each year, even despite NCAA sanctions and mediocre results at first.

Now, some of their best young talent will be counted on to emerge this spring to fill key roles and provide crucial depth.

Most importantly, no longer are they being forced into action too soon.

The Nittany Lions still return plenty of proven talent from back-to-back 11-win teams. But the key to equaling or exceeding that success in 2018 will depend on several first-time starters.

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These players and positions must make the most significant progress during spring workouts that conclude with the April 21 Blue-White Game.

Nick Bowers and the tight ends

The Lions won't be able to replace Mike Gesicki's production here, especially with one man. Right now, they're not even sure who's the September starter. It's wide open. 

But first-crack may go to Bowers, as long as the promising redshirt junior can finally stay healthy. He owns the best combination of size, speed and pass-catching hands. His main competition should be from Danny Dalton and Jonathan Holland, who earned most of the backup snaps last fall.

The wildcard is 6-foot-7 true freshman Zack Kuntz — whose pass-catching and running skills most mirror Gesicki. Kuntz is enrolled early and has proven stronger than expected at 235 pounds. But it's still a stretch for him to play a pivotal role so soon.

Our story continues below this video preview of spring practice

Micah Parson, Ellis Brooks and the linebackers

This group highlights a key restocking year on defense. The most famous position in the program is still woefully understaffed with proven playmakers.

The biggest upside comes from two freshmen. Brooks, from Virginia, received strong practice reviews by last season's end and figures to fight for the middle linebacker spot with Parsons.

The Harrisburg High grad is the team's highest-rated recruit in more than a decade.

The Lions simply don't have much assured beyond outside linebackers Koa Farmer, backup Cam Brown and Jarvis Miller, another converted safety. There may still be a chance for talented Manny Bowen to return after two suspensions.

Fred Hansard and the defensive tackles 

The Lions need at least a couple of unproven talents to emerge after losing their top three tackles to graduation.

Robert Windsor does return after providing a solid relief effort last year. But the other two expected contributors, Kevin Givens and Ryan Buchholz, may be better suited on the outside.

That's where redshirt freshman Hansard comes in. The only 300-pound defensive tackle on the roster must work himself into the No. 3 or 4 man in the rotation. That's especially critical with Ellison Jordan recovering from a broken kneecap.

Other young, unknown commodities include Antonio Shelton, Corey Bolds and Harrisburg's Damion Barber. Franklin hinted that Shelton is on the cusp of breaking through this spring.

Lamont Wade and the safeties

The Lions are stacked at cornerback, starting with two of the best in the Big Ten in John Reid and Amani Oruwariye.

Safety, though, is much more unsettled.

So much so that after losing two starters to graduation, the Lions have moved the 5-foot-9, 195-pound Wade from cornerback. The former No. 1 recruit in Pennsylvania will try to make his mark alongside a host of backups: senior Nick Scott and juniors Ayron Monroe, Garrett Taylor and John Petrishen.

And yet maybe the best haven't played yet at all: Jonathan Sutherland, a reported wicked hitter, redshirted last year. True freshman Isaiah Humphries enrolled early and is going through his first official practices.

Michal Menet and the offensive line

This really does look like the year the Lions will dominate up front.

The Lions not only have finally developed significant depth, but some of the program's best blockers continue to be the younger ones. Finally, there is breathing room for injury.

But to become a true strength may hinge, in part, on Menet's development this spring and summer. He was the program's most decorated offensive line recruit in years but has played little in his first two years, partly because of nagging injuries.

He should now contend for the starting guard spot vacated by Brendan Mahon. That would help solidify a group featuring returning starters Connor McGovern at center, Steven Gonzalez at guard and Ryan Bates, Will Fries and Chasz Wright at tackle.