Where have you gone, LaVar Arrington?

A campus turns its lonely eyes to you. What's that you say Mr. Paterno, there is hope at Linebacker U?

Well, yes.

If you listen to what Penn State coaches say, the bleak time times that plagued the Nittany Lions' most storied position during the team's two-year losing spell have passed.

Linebacker coach Ron Vanderlinden said the unit is primed with young players ready to establish themselves as the next group of elite Penn State linebackers.

Just don't ask who will be the next Lion to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. Hopefully, tomorrow's Blue-White game will shed some light on the most hotly contested positions this season.

"I think it's too early to give the nod to anybody as a starter," Vanderlinden said.

The one returning starter who figured to play a prominent role in next season's scheme is junior Deryck Toles, despite a rare enzyme disorder that limits him to 25-30 plays per game. However, a sprained ankle that cost the outside linebacker most of his spring practice will sideline him tomorrow.

The situation is more optimistic for another Deryck, Derek Wake.

Expectations were high for him last season but he was forced from the field by a torn medial collateral ligament against Miami.

Undeterred, Wake battled back, seeing many spring reps.

Fellow linebacker LaMar Stewart said he was impressed by Wake's tenacity.

"To see him recover and go out and do what he does every day encourages all of us because he came back to be almost as athletic as he was before," Stewart said.

Stewart, a true freshman that finished last season with 32 tackles, is another player with history on their side after impressing Paterno last season.

However, he will see limited time in tomorrow's game because of a slight knee sprain.

Also thrown in the mix are Gino Capone, who is expected to move into starting middle linebacker position, along with Tim Johnson, Sam Ruhe, Jimi Mitchell and T.C. Cosby.

As to where they stand, all Vanderlinden will say is that he is pleased with all of their performances. What he will say is this season might feature a rotation of players, an idea he believes will keep all legs fresh.

"I think we're going to have a deeper unit than we did a year ago," Vanderlinden said.

"I think if it continues to be very close we could play more guys."

The players themselves are more concerned with restoring a reputation.

"We all know that we're capable athletes," Stewart said.

"We all know what we can do. We know a lot of people out there say we're the weakest link on this team and that just makes us want to bring up our level of play to make the team stronger. We don't want to be considered the weakest link on this team."