Many teams have that player who, no matter where he or she is on the field, adapts and become a difference maker in the game.

Some people call them "utility players," some call them "multi-dimensional."

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, there is King Lebron James. For the Penn State football team there is quarterback/wide receiver/running back Michael Robinson.

For the Penn State men's rugby team, there is captain Tim Ryland, who can play virtually any position in the backfield such as flyhalf, inside center or winger.

But for the first three years of his career, he played at the flyhalf position, which is equivalent to quarterback.

This year, he is playing the outside center position, equivalent to being a running back.

"I think I am more naturally an outside center," Ryland said.

A flyhalf is the link between the forwards and the backs. He has to be a good distributor of the ball, a good kicker and a strong tackler.

On the other hand, an outside center is more of an attacking position in that the player has to be a good decision maker with the ball in his hands and find gaps in the opponents' defense through which to run. Combine all of those and you have Tim Ryland.

"Tim Ryland is one of the best players on our team," Penn State men's rugby coach Don Ferrell said. "He is well respected by his teammates."

"I think that in the game of rugby, 13 is the premier attacking position," Ferrell said.

It doesn't seem like Ryland has been slowed down with his new position and one of the reasons is some of the tweaks that the coaches have made.

"They have redesigned our schemes to utilize my abilities," Ryland said, adding that his greatest strength, which is his striking ability, would be greatly enhanced at his new position.

Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 187 pounds, Ryland doesn't appear outwardly to be a dominant player. But in one of the first games this season against the Barbarians, he scored three tries and was the leading force in others during the game in addition to being man-of-the-match.

"He is leader both offensively and defensively," Ferrell said.

Replacing Ryland at the flyhalf position is junior Justin Hundley. Hundley hails from South Africa and has been playing for the Ruggers for the last two years at scrumhalf. He was also a standout at his previous position, but is also adjusting well to his new role.

"I feel more comfortable," Hundley said. He added that the switch has given the Ruggers the ability to spread the ball out wide more effectively.

For Tim Ryland, he is hoping that the multi-dimensional skills he has developed for the last three years will eventually lead to a national championship, showing all the switches have been worth the effort.