Intense, beast and monster are just some of the terms teammates have used to describe Jack Crawford.
One Penn State captain has even given him a nickname: "The Ripper."
"You've seen him out there -- he looks giant, right?" Sean Lee said. "That kid is a talented kid who is intense and hard working."
Crawford has wowed teammates and fans with his work ethic and athleticism, which have people forgetting about the loss of first round NFL Draft pick Aaron Maybin.
Fortunately for Crawford, he knows how to temper expectations.
"I wouldn't be disappointed if I don't have a season like [Maybin's] as long as I'm progressing," the sophomore defensive end said.
"I'm always progressing, and [if] I'm on track then I'll be ready."
Working out with former Nittany Lion and current NFL players Anthony Adams and Tamba Hali in the offseason certainly provided Crawford with tough measuring sticks.
Crawford hopes it prepares him to become a three and four-down player after seeing limited action as a true freshman last season.
"Jack's a monster," senior defensive end Jerome Hayes said.
"You tell Jack you gotta do 100 pushups, he's gonna do 200. He's a beast and fortunately for Penn State he's only a sophomore, so they get at least two more years out of him.
"This year's gonna be a very big year for him, gonna put him in a position where he can really succeed and help us out as a defense so were all excited -- the team and the fans -- about Jack."
Like father, like son
With last year's three leading wide receivers now on NFL rosters, Penn State may feature its tight ends more prominently in the passing game.
That's to Mickey Shuler's advantage, as is the fact his father, Mickey Sr., played the same position for Joe Paterno three decades ago before a 14-year NFL career.
"He brings a little bit different aspect because he's played in the NFL and I get a little advantage of learning some stuff that you don't really do at the collegiate level, that you do at the NFL," Shuler said of his father, "So that's a big help for me."
The two talk every day and Shuler said his father has helped him recognize openings in different defenses.
"Just how to run a pattern versus man coverage, and then in zone finding the seams and stuff and the holes," Shuler said.
"Just like a feeling that you get when you're in an open spot, and that's really what he's helped me the most with, and catching I would say."
