Redshirt junior cornerback Mike Wallace is out for the 2012 season with a pectoral tear. Wallace declined an interview but confirmed his status to the Collegian on Monday.
Wallace redshirted his freshman year, so 2013 would be his final year of eligibility. Wallace said he discussed the matter with coach Bill O'Brien, and he will remain on the sidelines this season in a leadership role.
The loss of Wallace is another blow to an extremely shallow Penn State secondary, which has no returning starters this season. The spring depth chart lists Malcolm Willis, Adrian Amos, Stephon Morris and Jake Fagnano as Penn State's top four defensive backs.
Fagnano is a former walk-on.
Behind them, players have been dropping like flies. Curtis Drake, a wideout in 2011, was converted into a corner by O'Brien before leaving the team for undisclosed reasons.
Derrick Thomas was in a position battle with Amos before departing due to personal reasons.
Tim Buckley, a former walk-on behind Willis at the free safety position, transferred to North Carolina State in wake of the NCAA's sanctions.
Wallace's injury makes him the fourth defensive back to exit the fray. He played in four games in 2011.
