For most college football players, spring is a rather dull season. The roar of the crowd is replaced by the clank of weights; the thrill of competition is substituted by the drudgery of physical conditioning. For one Penn State player, however, spring is another chance in the spotlight.

O.J. McDuffie, a wide receiver, has temporarily traded his shoulder pads for a leather glove. The sophomore from Gates Mills, Ohio, hopes to put his athletic talents to use for the baseball team as its new centerfielder.

Although known to most fans for his exploits on the gridiron, McDuffie is no stranger to the baseball diamond.

"O.J. is highly-talented. Although we're still (practicing) indoors, we can see his skills, his ability to hit, run, and throw," baseball coach Shorty Stoner said.

A shoulder injury to Keith Ripka left the door wide open for McDuffie to move into the spot, Stoner added.

McDuffie, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7, will bat leadoff in Stoner's lineup.

"He's got good speed and we need someone to get on base and steal bases," Stoner said.

McDuffie played baseball and football during his four years at Hawken High School. He hit .520 his senior year with 10 home runs while batting in the third position. He said he's looking forward to his role as leadoff batter.

"That's where I like to be. I like to get on base and get things started real quick if I can," McDuffie said.

Some major league teams were interested in McDuffie during his senior year and he tried out with the Chicago White Sox. He was invited to tryouts with Cleveland and Cincinnati, but did not attend. He decided to attend Penn State on a football scholarship before the draft date.

Originally, Paterno told him he could not play baseball, McDuffie said. McDuffie then informed recruiting coach Ron Dickerson that he was looking at schools where he could play both, including Ohio State and Notre Dame.

Dickerson said it is Paterno's policy that if an athlete can start for and contribute to another team, he can play on both. Paterno was unsure of McDuffie's baseball abilities, so Dickerson confirmed them.

"He (Paterno) was unaware of the caliber of player he was. I simply told him that O.J. is a very talented baseball player," Dickerson said.

Paterno called two days later to say he could play both, McDuffie said.

"I think I echo the coach's sentiment that if O.J. can help make the baseball team a better team, we're all for it," Dickerson said.

However, McDuffie did not play baseball his freshman year because Paterno's policy is to have his athletes concentrate on academics and not play more than one sport the first year. This allows the student-athlete to adjust academically, to get a solid base before he ventures into another sport, Dickerson said.

"That's the coach's policy, I knew it coming in," McDuffie said. "Basically, that was part of the deal. I would play football in the spring my first year."

McDuffie said Paterno told him to keep his grades up while playing baseball. Stoner echoed those sentiments.

"It's a pivotal thing: we want to make sure he handles his athletics and academics," he said.

McDuffie is the first dual-sport player in some time to be active in both sports. He added that there was a time when a large portion of the baseball roster was comprised of football players. Now, with the time commitment required and the emphasis on academics, it's difficult to play two sports at the Division I level.

McDuffie has the potential to make a strong contribution in both. Three high school recruits for next year want to play both football and baseball.

"We'd like to tap the resource in the future. We hope kids would keep both options open," Stoner said.

McDuffie seems to cope with the transition from football to baseball. He said wide receivers and baseball players basically have the same build.

"They do the same kinds of things in the weight room. As a wide receiver I don't bulk up that much anyway," he said.

He said that he will miss the running and conditioning of spring football, but added that he will engage in an intense program this summer with strength training coach Chet Fuhrman.

McDuffie shares wide receiving duties with David Daniels and Terry Smith. He said his time away from football won't hurt their timing.

"We all play a different role in the game plan; we're real good friends and we compliment each other," McDuffie said.

The wide receivers are adjusting to McDuffie's absence this spring. Daniels said McDuffie's encouragement and the excitement he generates will be missed.

"O.J.'s a hard-worker. If he practices over the summer, he won't miss a step," Daniels said.

Daniels added that when former wide receiver Michael Timpson ran track, it didn't hinder him at all.

"He's been here two seasons and we run basically the same offense; he has a good handle for it," Smith said.

Quarterback Tony Sacca isn't concerned about McDuffie's absence either. He said that they've played together for two seasons and know each other well. "It's a credit to O.J. that's he's able to play both," Sacca said.

During last year's football campaign, McDuffie caught 11 passes for 164 yards and one touchdown. He was also the Lions' main return man, gaining 278 yards on 19 returns, including a dazzling 84-yard scurry against Syracuse on national television.

Although they would rather he be at spring practice, the football coaches also express little concern with McDuffie's ability to adjust.

"O.J.'s a very mature young man. He probably can afford to miss some spring ball because he's been here and played a lot. He doesn't have to learn a new system, he knows the coaches and the quarterback," Dickerson said.

McDuffie, a business major, is trying to maintain his academics during the season. He said it's a little busy right now. He goes to classes and study hall during the day and practice at night. "Then I get up and do it all over again," he said.

Some football players take fewer credits during the fall due to the season and load up on classes in the spring. McDuffie said he's still trying to take more credits despite baseball.

"It's going to be tough. Baseball's more difficult than football because we travel more and I'll miss more classes," McDuffie said.

For now, the 20-year-old McDuffie is trying to get acclimated to his new surroundings on the baseball diamond. "I started off a little rusty, but everything's coming back slowly," he said.

Both he and Stoner agree the hardest part is adjusting to the ball in the lighting at the indoor practice facilities. He also commented on his hitting. McDuffie has not swung at college competition pitching and said his timing is coming back. He did play baseball last summer for a Clark Griffin league team at home.

"I'm getting back in the swing of swinging the bat," he said.

Although McDuffie seems to be enjoying baseball, Paterno probably doesn't have to worry about losing him from the football team.

"I prefer football because I like the intensity. Baseball is more laid-back and fun for me," McDuffie said.