Linebackers don't play in football's trenches, but that hasn't stopped the fiercest battles for playing time happening at the position this spring.

With potential starters LaMar Stewart, whom head coach Joe Paterno said was starting to "come to the front," and Deryck Toles both sidelined for last Saturday's Blue-White game because of injuries, questions still abound as to who will line up across the middle of the Nittany Lion defense.

At his pre-game press conference, Paterno called his team thin on experienced talent, and with Toles as the only returning starter, that lack of tested players shows most clearly at linebacker.

"I think we have made progress, have some prospects and some potential there," Paterno said of the position. "Some of them do some things well against the run but get confused against a little bit with play action passes and thinks like that will come with more exposure."

However, a few of the players competing for playing time distinguished themselves in Saturday's friendly contest.

Redshirt junior Gino Capone put up some of the most impressive numbers, making nine solo tackles. The performance capped off a spring that saw Capone move from his native inside spot to outside linebacker. Paterno explained the decision, saying the coaching staff already knew what Capone could do while and he needed to see some of the younger players on the field.

"Gino's smart and has had more experience of playing linebacker than the other kids but you only get so many reps in practice," Paterno said.

Capone spent his spring splitting time at the outside position with Derek Wake, who capped his return from a knee injury that sidelined him for last season with three tackles and an interception Saturday.

Shortly after camp opened in March, Wake began showing the ability that made him stand out during the 2000 season. However, this success led Paterno to put extra pressure on Wake to make sure the redshirt sophomore was giving his full effort.

"I've been told by a couple of upperclassmen guys that Joe makes sure nobody gets a big head," Wake said. "I had a little bit of success my freshman year with a couple of things on the field and he just wanted to make sure I kept my head on my shoulders."

Originally, Wake was scheduled to miss most of spring practice, but his knee progressed swiftly enough that he was able to play the Blue-White game despite being what he calls only 80 percent healthy.

Beyond the frontrunners for starting positions, linebacker coach Ron Vanderlinden sees a lot of depth in a defense that will showcase a rotation of defensive players.

Notable Saturday was T.C. Cosby and Sam Ruhe, who chipped in six and seven tackles, respectively. Ruhe, who Paterno recently moved to middle linebacker from the defensive line, in particular, has made on some of the Lion veterans.

"Ruhe came out of position...and he's come along very well," Wake said.