Scioli back on defense

The last time Brad Scioli played defensive end for the Penn State football team, the Nittany Lions went 12-0, won the Rose Bowl and made a run at their first national championship since 1986.

Needless to say, Scioli hopes the position makes all the difference.

Scioli, a fifth-year senior whose football career has been tantamount to a game of musical chairs, has found himself singing a familiar tune as the 1998 season approaches.

"I'm happy with the change," the 6-foot-3, 257-pound Scioli said. "I feel more comfortable at defensive end than anywhere else, especially since I played it my first year here."

It's little wonder Scioli feels comfortable at his rediscovered position. Judging by his football track record, the Bridgeport native seems to feel comfortable regardless of where he lines up.

While starting for Upper Merion High School, Scioli played wherever the team needed him most -- which was, in essence, every position on the field. Scioli gained game experience at quarterback, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, safety and punter.

His senior season saw him rack up close to 300 tackles while throwing for over 1,100 yards at quarterback. To top things off, he didn't miss a game, giving him a perfect attendance rate through four years of high school ball.

Scioli's remarkable versatility earned him accolades from Upper Merion coach Steve Schein, who still follows his star protégé at Penn State.

- Brad Scioli

Attitude aside, his physical abilities were proof enough of his talent upon arriving at Penn State in 1994.

In his freshman season, playing defensive end as a 17-year-old against the likes of Orlando Pace and Tony Boselli, Scioli saw action in all 12 games and recorded 18 tackles. Though undersized and inexperienced, Scioli held his own to become a budding star.

The very next season, Scioli was moved to defensive tackle. As was his custom, he didn't let the change affect his stellar performance. Scioli made 42 tackles while playing in uncharted waters.

After tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and redshirting what would have been his junior season, Scioli returned to camp last year to find out he would be suiting up at yet another position, his third in three active years for the Lions.

Coach Joe Paterno asked his former lineman to take a stab at tight end.

If Scioli thought his multiple position syndrome was finished by the time he came to Penn State -- where even the water boys become linebackers in time -- he was quickly proven wrong. But that was just fine with him.

"When Coach Paterno asked me to play tight end, I was like, 'What the heck? If it helps out the team, I'll give it a try,' " Scioli said. "I figured that was where they needed me most, and I was just happy to play."

Despite moving from defense to offense on a moment's notice, Scioli adjusted well. He caught nine passes for 171 yards and a healthy 19 yards-per-catch average while blocking for star backs Curtis Enis and Aaron Harris.

The highlight of his season came when he hauled in a 47-yard bomb from quarterback Mike McQueary to set up a touchdown against Purdue. The Lions crushed the Boilermakers 42-17 on the road.

Scioli said his season wasn't an attempt to imitate the great Kyle Brady's play at tight end in '94. He said he just wanted to play it safe and make a difference on the other side of the ball.

"I guess I tried to do whatever they asked me to do," Scioli said. "I just tried to play athletically. I pride myself on being a good athlete and being competitive wherever I play."

Schein said Scioli should be proud of himself after the career he's had thus far.

"When I look back at his career, it's truly amazing that he's done the things he's done," Schein said. "He went from being a 17-year-old freshman who played significantly at defensive end to a solid defensive tackle to a solid tight end. Playing a lot of positions in high school is one thing, but doing it for one of the best Div. I programs in the country is another. To me it's just incredible that he's been able to do that."

Now, with his senior season flashing before his eyes, Scioli is finally within the confines of a familiar environment -- defense.

While he enjoyed his temporary stint at tight end, Scioli said he's a "defense kind of guy" by nature and should enjoy his final year at Penn State.

"I like defense better," Scioli said. "It's a good feeling to be able to run up and hit somebody. I really like that mentality."

Paterno took Scioli's preference into account in moving him to defensive end this spring and said tight end is no longer an area of major concern, as it was last season. The Lions have both Cuncho Brown and Tony Stewart at tight end this year.

"We have a couple pretty good young tight ends. We will take a look at them," Paterno said. "I think that Brad's preference would be at defensive end. I think he can play well there."

Though he's back at defensive end, Scioli will have to fill another, less tangible position for the Lions this year -- the position of team leader.

Having been around since '94 and armed with the knowledge of what it takes to win, Scioli will be called upon to lead by example in his final year of eligibility. Though he hasn't considered the specifics of his new job, Scioli said he has his personal goals outlined already.

"I always have team and personal goals," Scioli said. "Some of my team goals are to win every game and to win the conference. Personally, I just want to come off the field knowing I played my best and helped my team every game."

Sounds familiar.