What's in a number?

The latest Penn State football roster was released last week at www.gopsusports.com.

There are a few number changes to note.

Your Deon Butler jerseys have become Brandon Beachum jerseys.

Beachum, a reserve tailback has switched his number from '25' to '3'. Beachum wore '3' during his tenure at Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio.

Wide receiver/return man Chaz Powell has inherited '2' from the now departed Derrick Williams. Powell wore '12' before dropping the one for the upcoming season.

Navorro Bowman, who has been called LaVorro by some for his close relationship with former Lion Great LaVar Arrington, will wear the number his mentor made famous. Bowman has swapped his '18' for Arrington's '11' which was previously worn by defensive back Tony Davis. Walk-on QB Matt McGloin also sports 'snake eyes'.

The 'Italian Stallion' (as his high school coach Al Fracassa calls him) Chris Colasanti will wear '48' this season after previously wearing '53'. Colasanti wore '48' when he played under Fracassa at Brother Rice High School in Michigan. '48' was vacated by Maurice Evans who left the Lions early after last season.

A pair of safeties have switched to numbers Penn State fans will be more familiar with in the defensive backfield. Cedric Jeffries has switched from '29' to '7' previously worn by safety Anthony Scirrotto while Nick Sukay has swapped his '26' for Lydell Sargeant's trusty '10'.

Offensive lineman DeOn'tae Pannell has traded in his '75' for '50'. The 'five-oh' became available when Mike Lucian graduated after last season. Pannell wore '50' while at Groves High School in Michigan.

Tight end Mark Wedderburn will wear lucky No. 13 this season. Wedderburn previously wore '86'.

As for incoming freshman. There are a few notable number choices.

Quarterback Kevin Newsome will wear '12'. Current San Francisco 49er captain Michael Robinson was the last quarterback to wear '12' for the Nittany Lions.

Defensive back Gerald Hodges will wear '6'.

Offensive lineman Ty Howle will wear '53'.

Kicker Anthony Fera will wear '29'.

VACANT NUMBERS

'9', worn by former Lion safety Mark Rubin is not currently in rotation. Look for this hot single digit to be taken by a new recruit in the fall.

Running back/defensive back numbers '23', '24' and '25' are not currently being worn by any Lions.

Former Lion captain Josh Gaines' '47' is available as is A.Q. Shipley's '57'.

'58', '62', '63', '64' and everyone's favorite '69' are still hanging in the equipment room, unspoken for.

Incoming offensive linemen will get to pick between the available '75' and '76'.

A wideout or tight end might want to scoop up '86' or '89'.

Some big numbers are also available for the taking. '90', '93', '96' and '97' are all without players to wear them.

-TJ