QB Stevens grows to love his position

storied likes of Jack Ham and Dennis Onkotz and runs through such relatively recent standouts as LaVar Arrington, Sean Lee and Paul Posluszny. To say nothing of Shane Conlan, NaVorro Bowman, Dan Connor and Greg Buttle, among others.

And while Penn State has been pretty solid there during the past decade, members of the 2018 freshman class have the potential to restore any luster the position may have lost.

That group includes fivestar prospect Micah Parsons, four-stars Nick Tarburton and Jesse Luketa and three-star Charlie Katshir.

“Micah and Jesse always text me when they’re watching film,” senior linebacker Koa Farmer said. “[Luketa] will send me a screen shot of a play [and] ask me ‘Why did you do that here?’ That’s what is going to make us better. He’s watching film at 12 o’clock at night.

“That’s what I tell these guys. You never know when your name is going to be called. That’s why you always have to practice like you’re a starter.”

Reid is ready

Penn State lost all four starters from its 2017 secondary, but is getting back one — cornerback John Reid — who worked there the previous year. He sat out last season while recovering from a serious knee injury but, from all indications, should be ready to make a major impact.

“He’s getting his speed back,” Farmer said. “He doesn’t even look like he got hurt, to be honest. He’s doing a great job.”

And he might get a chance to contribute on more than just defense, because Reid has been filling a specialteams role he handled before being injured.

“I’m definitely ready to return punts this year,” he said.