Traditionally, top collegiate running backs come from Southern Cal, dominating linemen hail from Oklahoma and outstanding linebackers reside in Happy Valley.
Pro football standouts such as Jack Ham and, more recently, Shane Conlan have been as much a part of Happy Valley tradition as rainy autumns. But as the Lions enter the 1988 season, their linebackers probably won't be the heart of the defense.
With the exceptional triumvirate of Conlan, Pete Giftopoulos and Trey Bauer now only a memory, Coach Joe Paterno will have to field an inexperience d linebacking corps. And, since only senior outside linebacker Keith Karpinski has as many as eight career starts, a great deal of pressure will be put on the secondary to perform well.
Two-year starter Eddie Johnson and budding star Brian Chizmar will lead an otherwise inexperienced foursome in the defensive backfield. Johnson will be the team's lone three-year first-stringer, and Chizmar led all Lion defenders in total plays (653), interceptions (3) and tackles (69) last year.
Senior safety Sherrod Rainge started only four games in 1987, but had his biggest games at the end of the season against Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and Clemson.
Meanwhile, sophomore Willie Thomas is slated to start the year across from Johnson at cornerback. Thomas started three games a year ago, replacing Johnson, who had a hamstring injury. In the Lions' 10-0 loss at Pitt, Thomas paced the defense with 11 tackles and a forced fumble. He figures to be a force for the next three seasons. Also in competition for serious playing time will be sophomore corner Hernon Henderson who, like Thomas, was a letter winner his freshman year.
Although Rainge, Thomas and Henderson have promise, Johnson and Chizmar are proven. Johnson is a defensive co-captain with Karpinski, and Chizmar was a starter in nine games last year.
Johnson, along with Karpinski, is one of the two players on the '88 team who played in the 1985 and 1986 National Championship games versus Oklahoma and Miami (Fla.), respectively. The cornerback expects the defense will have to lead the way until the offense starts to click.
"I think the defense may have to (carry the team the first few games)," Johnson said. "We can't really worry about whether the offense is going to be ready or not. We just have to be aggressive."
Chizmar can be expected to be all over the field in '88, playing the versatile hero position. He is the secondary's future once Johnson graduates in the spring. The junior feels the defense's inexperience will be worked out during the first half of the season.
"I feel that experience helps, but everyone has to do their responsibility," Chizmar said. "I can help by settling down the guys that haven't played that much.
"With our schedule, we're going to be all right because our first six games, (although) they're going to be hard games, they're not against traditionally ranked teams."
Playing hero is a challenge for any player because it requires him to be all over the field, much like a free safety. Unlike a safety, however, the hero back usually has the build of a linebacker. Chizmar is 6-1 and weighs 204 pounds. As a comparison, Johnson checks in at 5-10, 164.
Chizmar said he likes his position, and that his size does not affect his ability to keep up with speedy receivers. The junior runs the 40- yard dash in 4.6 seconds.
"I'll be playing in a lot of different positions," Chizmar said. "I could line up anywhere from linebacker to hero. I feel (hero) is a very good position for me, and it's a challenging position.
"(Speed is) one area I worked on this summer," he continued, making myself faster and quicker. "I think I accomplished that, and I think everybody on this team has done that."
Johnson acknowledged that, while this is a young defense, its potential is great. There are many players at new positions, so it is difficult to tell how the D will play once the regular season begins, but Johnson said excellence can come from hard work.
"I think we're capable of doing anything," he said." We have a lot of great athletes and real hard workers. There's a lot of things we're trying here, and it could be interesting. If all the guys work hard in the preseason and get in sync, (we) can really do the job."
Paterno has repeatedly stated that the 1988 campaign will require patience from the players, the coaches and the fans. If the defense is patient and willing to learn from its mistakes, this inexperienced crew might develop into a good one.
