A year ago at this time, there were questions about Larry Johnson.

Would he be able to handle being Penn State's featured tailback? Would his body hold up? Could he produce consistently in the Big Ten?

Now, there are still questions about Johnson, but their tone has changed. Instead of asking where he will fit into Penn State's backfield, these days, people ask where he will fit in the first round of the NFL draft. Instead of wondering if he can carry the load against Wisconsin and Michigan, the questions' focuses are Tampa Bay or the Cowboys.

Such is the life of an instant star like Larry Johnson, who went from question mark to 2,000-yard rusher and Heisman finalist in the span of four months.

On Saturday at Madison Square Garden, Johnson will almost assuredly be one of the top 32 picks, making him the first Nittany Lion running back taken in the first round since Curtis Enis went No. 5 overall to the Chicago Bears in 1998.

The 2003 class of running backs is a poor one. With the injury to Miami's Willis McGahee, undoubtedly the cream of this year's crop, Johnson has assumed the throne at the top of the tailback board.

There is plenty of pre-draft speculation surrounding Johnson. Most experts place him in the latter stages of the first round, between picks 20 and 30. Two teams that are said to have heavy interest in Johnson are the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans.

Each team is looking to replace a bruising yet aging back in Jerome Bettis and Eddie George. Johnson, with a 228-pound frame and ugly demeanor, would fit in well at both spots. The Steelers hold the 27th selection while the Titans own 28.

In what may have been unintended foreshadowing, Johnson has said his idol in the league is George, who through his durability and will to win has forged a Hall of Fame career.

One of the negatives scouts have gleaned from watching Johnson in action is his running style. His critics say he runs too upright, hurting his ability to break tackles and leaving himself open to vicious hits.

"He may run high, but he doesn't get knocked backwards," said Larry Johnson Sr., his father and Penn State's defensive line and special teams coach. "He just has to change a couple of things. Eddie George is an upright runner, so was Eric Dickerson. Larry will make a couple of adjustments and be fine."

When his name is announced, a stigma will automatically be attached to Johnson. Despite having not played a down in the NFL, Johnson will be grouped with D.J. Dozier, Blair Thomas, Ki-Jana Carter and Curtis Enis, all highly drafted Penn State backs that have faltered at the next level.

"I think it's just misfortune," said Omar Easy, a lightly thought-of Lion prospect that has stuck so far in the NFL. "Those guys played a lot in college, and they got a lot of wear and tear from running in the Big Ten because it's a tough conference. Sometimes it has to do with mindset, but for the most part, injuries just happen. Guys were just unfortunate. I hope for the best for LJ."

Despite the underwhelming reputation for Penn State running backs in the NFL, it doesn't affect the people who matter the most -- those making the picks.

"I don't care what's happened in the past," said Kevin Colbert, director of the Steelers football operations. "Going into our playoff game against the Titans this year, there was a lot made of us not scoring a postseason touchdown against the Oilers/Titans since 1971 or whatever. That didn't affect us. Each player is different, and each player has chance to maker their own mark."