Tight end has not been the most productive position for Penn State over the past decade.

Kevin Darling and the Nittany Lions hope to change that this year in providing quarterback Anthony Morelli with a full complement of receivers.

Darling was in the middle of the depth chart at linebacker a year ago before injuries at tight end moved him back to the offensive side of the ball.

"I was very happy and a lot more comfortable," Darling said. "I'd never played defense before I moved to linebacker; I'd been a tight end. They switched me [to defense] in spring practice. When they switched me back it felt a lot better."

In addition to Penn State, Darling was recruited by Virginia and James Madison coming out of high school, where he played nothing but wide receiver for West Springfield.

Virginia and Penn State wanted him to walk on, while James Madison was offering a scholarship.

Penn State punter Jeremy Kapinos was a teammate of Darling's in high school, and the two have been good friends since the sixth grade.

But that's not why Darling chose Penn State.

"It's hard to say," Darling's mother, Joanne, said of why her son chose to join the Nittany Lions. "Joe Paterno and the tradition, the whole aura of Penn State, and Jeremy Kapinos has been one of Kevin's good friends since sixth grade."

The senior from Springfield, Va. is somewhat of an unknown for Penn State, but he has ascended to the top of the depth chart over the offseason after positional battles with Jordan Lyons, Patrick Hall and Andrew Quarless.

A starting receiver throughout high school, Darling's frame as a sophomore at West Springfield would not have led many to believe he'd one day become a starting tight end at Penn State.

"He was a tall wiry kid, 6-foot-3, 170 at the end of sophomore year," Jim Renner, Darling's high school coach, said. "He could always catch really well."

Though primarily a pass catcher in high school, Renner has watched Darling play this year and feels that the tight end is doing well as both a blocker and a receiver.

"I knew that when he left high school one of two things happen: Either he would get faster and become a possession receiver, or he would gain weight and be a tight end," Renner said.

Darling is at peace with his position now and has two catches for 31 yards this year, but seeks a bigger role in the passing game.

"You get more of a feel of what's going on out there," Darling said of seeing the field this year.

"Last year injuries threw me into the mix, but this year I'm more comfortable and I'm not in awe when I go out there."

Paterno hits the ground

While explaining something to cornerback Lydell Sargeant at Tuesday's practice, Joe Paterno was blindsided at the end of a play as a safety and tight end inadvertently ran into the 79-year old coach at full speed.

"He was starched -- boom," Guido D'Elia, Penn State director of marketing and branding, recounted. "He was horizontal, flat out on the ground and then he rolled around a little bit, stood up, dusted himself off. Everyone was fussing and he yells 'Ahhh, I'm alright.' "

Paterno finished the rest of the practice, but reported soreness yesterday morning. His non-football appearances will be limited this week.

"I would have been looking for my teddy bear," D'Elia said of the hit. "I'd have been calling for my mom."