Zack Anderson knows only one of them by name.
If the Penn State defensive linemen follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, however, then the Akron guard may become all too familiar with them when the Zips take on the No. 9 Nittany Lions at noon Saturday in Beaver Stadium.
"[Jared] Odrick, I know he's a really good defensive player," Anderson said. "I know '85' is a good strong defensive player also. The defensive ends are probably pretty quick about everything."
Joining Odrick -- a first-team All Big Ten tackle in 2008 -- on the defensive line is tackle Ollie Ogbu ("85"), along with ends Jack Crawford and Jerome Hayes.
The group forms a line expected to be among the best in the Big Ten, despite losing All-American end Aaron Maybin to the NFL.
Maurice Evans and Josh Gaines, two other ends from last year's unit, are currently fighting for roster spots with NFL teams.
But the returning members from the No. 8 rushing defense in the country last season are confident they can replicate 2008's success.
"Hopefully we can get past these three people leaving our team and you won't be asking these questions about the dudes leaving anymore," Odrick said. "You'll be asking all the questions about the guys that we have here."
That includes Ogbu, who has started 13 games over the last two seasons, and Crawford, a 6-foot-5, 262-pound pass rusher from London who was one of only three true freshmen to play in every game in 2008.
Hayes is listed as the other starting defensive end.
The redshirt senior has started just one game in his career and has torn each of his anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) over the past two seasons.
Saturday will be his first game action since Sept. 6, 2008.
"I played in a game and a half last year, so I've really been out for two seasons and I kind of forgot what it's like to go through warm-ups and hit somebody other than a Penn State guy at practice," Hayes said. "I'm really excited for the gameday festivities and seeing all the fans and really getting to play against somebody else with my teammates."
That sentiment is echoed throughout the line, which is looking to improve upon the strides it made in spring and fall practices.
"I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish, but I know our job's just begun, setting the bar for not just the defense but our team and other D-lines as well," Odrick said. "We know there's a lot of hard work ahead of us and we can't just accept the title of being that D-line that comes in every year hyped up or ranked No. 1 or this and that. We all know that a lot of hard work is ahead of us."
