The Nittany Lions defense will return all defensive starters next year except for, of course, their best one, middle linebacker Dan Connor. This is assuming cornerback Justin King bypasses the NFL draft and returns for his senior year.

But as usual, Penn State's linebacker corps has players waiting to step in, move over, or do whatever to get on the field.

First off, you know Sean Lee. He's proved himself and certainly isn't next generation, but could likely play a new position next year. Lee will return next year and could easily move to middle and follow the path of Connor and Paul Posluszny. This week, Connor said a move would be easy for Lee. Based on his instincts and work ethic, Lee could play the middle right now if he needed to, Connor said.

If Lee does move to the middle, that leaves an outside starting spot open. This year, redshirt freshman Navorro Bowman and junior Tyrell Sales split time at the outside spot opposite Lee. They'll figure to be in the running for either starting spot next season. Bani Gbadyu, another speedy redshirt freshman who leveled a Temple player on special teams this week, is another possibility at outside.

Chris Colasanti (No. 53) is a new player to watch. Both Connor and Lee this week mentioned Colasanti as someone who's ready for the spotlight. He's a true freshman and seen limited time this year, but he did play in the Ohio State game in a special run-stopping package. So remember his name. Connor and Lee have figured out how to play linebacker pretty well so I think they should be able to scout who could play their future positions.

There's also redshirt sophomore Josh Hull, who played well in place of an injured Bowman at outside this season during the Iowa game.

And don't forget about Dontey Brown. He will be a senior next year and entered this season as backup to Connor at middle. Brown has been hampered by a dislocated elbow this year, but could theoretically step into middle if Lee stays at outside.

And then there's a guy by the name of Shaine Thompson (No. 51), a freshman from the Bronx, N.Y., and a high school teammate of likely future PSU tailback Stephfon Green. Connor mentioned Thompson right after Colasanti as a player to watch.

"They're playing scout team now, they're just waiting to get on the field. There's going to be a lot of competition. It's going to come down to who's going to be able to step up in the offseason," Connor said.

And the one constant is linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden is known to train every linebacker at all three positions, and train them well.

So it appears the state of Linebacker U is strong, and Lee, Colasanti, Hull, Brown and a few others will together make it stronger.

--Corey