College has been a time of adjustments for Wedderburn

Try as he may, Floyd Wedderburn just can't seem to escape attention.

There is no mistaking the Jamaica native on the field. He is bigger than most of his teammates. He is much bigger than the coach. Wedderburn is just a big man.

But this mass of humanity does not breathe fire, or squash those shorter than him. In fact, Wedderburn takes jokes about his enormous size as well as any other Nittany Lion.

"We kind of joke around with Floyd -- occasionally. He's kind of a quiet kid, and when you joke around with him, he doesn't give you anything back," Penn State offensive lineman Phil Ostrowski said. "When you joke around with some guys they will take shots back at you. He just laughs it off.

"I don't think anyone kids him about his size. They're afraid he might flip out and do something to them."

Wedderburn isn't the type to grow angry or frustrated, and it's a good thing because Penn State has not exactly been smooth sailing for the redshirt junior.

In 1994, Wedderburn could not participate with the team because he did not meet NCAA academic requirements.

In 1995, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee before the season even began and was finished for the year with a medical redshirt.

Last season, he played in stretches, breaking into six games as a reserve defensive lineman.

This year, Wedderburn was moved to the offensive line, but remains in a backup role.

"They (the coaches) approached me. I was getting better on defensive line but I wasn't having fun. I wasn't as capable," Wedderburn said. "I adjusted well to the basics in spring and now I'm adjusting better."

In effect, college football has been one adjustment after another for Wedderburn.

Because of his size, Wedderburn was given a lot of attention when he chose Penn State. People dubbed him the next great defensive lineman. He had the size, could bench press nearly 400 pounds and could run as evidenced by his high school basketball days.

The spotlight was shining brightly, and Penn State coaches were licking their lips before the Upper Darby High School graduate even put on a Penn State uniform.

Wedderburn didn't like the frenzy then, and he still isn't crazy about it today.

"I don't like attention," Wedderburn said. "With me, if I'm not in the limelight, that's fine. Offensive linemen don't get a lot of press. I kind of keep to myself. I do like playing, but I just want to play. I don't want to be recognized. I just want to be Floyd."

But "being Floyd" coupled with being a Penn State football player spells attention, and Wedderburn has dealt with the hype and hoopla to the best of his abilities.

At football Media Day he sat amongst his teammates on a rolled up tarp and answered reporters who dared approach him. He has not complained about not starting -- quietly accepting his role as a reserve.

"Floyd is getting better, but he's not there yet. He'll have to do some things better to move up," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "Ryan (Fagan) has been doing an excellent job. It's a new position and (Wedderburn)'s working on mastering all the niceties like pass protection."

The ballot is still out on Wedderburn's career, but the voting deadline is rapidly approaching. He has one year of eligibility remaining, and in the event of an injury to a starter on the offensive line, Wedderburn feels prepared to make the giant step.

"I'm ready, man," Wedderburn said. "I look forward to playing and to keep winning."