By Jeff Rice, NN Senior Writer

jrice@nittanynetwork.com

March 3, 2009

There are a few players – quarterbacks, kickers and tailbacks, mostly – who go through their entire Penn State careers playing one position and one position only. But a large percentage of the thousands of players coached by Joe Paterno have been asked, for a couple of practices or a couple of seasons, to show their skills on other parts of the field.

Spring practice, which for Penn State begins later this month, is usually the best time to see which pieces fit where. Here are a few players who could not only play a different position than where they’re currently listed in 2009 but have significant impact in those positions as well.

Remember, these are informed guesses. But these players figure to at least get a look at new responsibilities at some point.

Sean Lee – Outside linebacker to Inside linebacker
This move is one year in the making. Lee had made 239 tackles in his first three seasons while playing both strongside and weakside linebacker, but had been practicing in the middle before tearing his ACL last April, an injury that sidelined him for the entire season.

Moving Lee inside will supplant senior Josh Hull but will allow the Nittany Lions to keep Navorro Bowman on the strongside and give Penn State the best pair of linebackers in the Big Ten.

Stefen Wisniewski – Right guard to Center
Wisniewski, a rising junior, was coy about sliding into A.Q. Shipley’s spot when asked about it toward the end of last season, but he is the most likely anchor for an offensive line that will return just two starters.

The 6-foot-3 Wisniewski is currently listed at 302 pounds, up nearly 15 from his weight going into last season and right around the weight that Shipley played at last season.

D’Anton Lynn – Cornerback to Strong safety
It was incoming freshman cornerback Darrell Givens who first hinted that this move might be taking place, and it’s one that makes sense – Lynn played safety in high school and has bulked up to nearly 200 pounds, a weight that would allow him to play either position.

Knowledge Timmons – Safety to Cornerback
Timmons, who has track-star speed, displayed during a strong season as a special-teams gunner that he can hit like a safety, but his dimensions – 5-foot-10, 187 pounds – make him better suited to play corner, where he began his Penn State career. How he develops here – and how Lynn develops at safety – will determine which player ends up where.

Andrew Dailey – Linebacker to Safety
The redshirt sophomore was a high school safety and could see some time there after dropping nearly 10 pounds – he is currently listed at 221 – since the start of last season.

The Nittany Lions’ depth at linebacker means Dailey probably has a better chance to see some playing time in the secondary.

Mike Zordich – Linebacker to Fullback
Expect the redshirt freshman to see some snaps on both side of the ball during spring practice, but the Nittany Lions need bodies to pave the way for a host of talented tailbacks after the graduation of Dan Lawlor.

Zordich, who lost a bit of weight (he’s currently at 229) this offseason, rumbled for nearly 1,000 yards during his senior season at Cardinal Mooney High in Youngstown, Ohio.