What are Penn State's areas of concern as spring season winds down?

One week to go.

Penn State’s spring season concludes with Saturday afternoon’s Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium.

James Franklin’s Nittany Lions, coming off a disappointing 2021 that saw them drop six of their final eight games, are replacing talented players at wideout, left tackle, linebacker, cornerback, safety and even at punter/kicker.

Veteran Sean Clifford returns for his fourth season as Penn State’s quarterback. The Lions should be strong at cornerback, safety, running back, tight end and even wideout, despite the loss of 1,000-yard receiver Jahan Dotson.

More than a few skilled players, most of them young, will be joining the team for practice sessions in August, but here are a few reasons for concern as Penn State heads into late spring and early summer.

• Offensive line depth. Franklin has been concerned about his offensive line throughout spring drills.

The Lions are replacing three starters in tackle Rasheed Walker, guard Eric Wilson and center-guard Mike Miranda. Veteran Caedan Wallace is back for his third year at right tackle, and returning starter Juice Scruggs has moved from guard to center.

The left tackle spot likely belongs to Olu Fashanu, who started in Walker’s place in Penn State’s Outback Bowl loss to Arkansas.

But the Lions must develop a pair of guards they can trust and find a swing tackle and at least one quality interior lineman.

The names to know at guard, for the moment, are Saleem Wormley and second-year player Landon Tengwall. Penn State also welcomes FCS standout Hunter Nourzad from Cornell. He could be an immediate contributor at guard.

As far as tackles who can play, Franklin and offensive line coach Phil Trautwein may take their time in August to find another player or two.

“We don’t have great depth there this spring, so this will be important that we do a great job of how we run practice so they get as many reps as we possibly can,” Franklin said at the start of spring practice.

“But we’ve also got to keep those guys healthy.”

• Linebacker. It’s more than just depth that could be an issue at Linebacker U. Penn State is replacing two tremendous talents in Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks, who finished 1-2 on the team in tackles last season.

Curtis Jacobs, a speedy, instinctive player, started on the strong side a year ago, but new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz could move him inside to the weak-side (Will) spot, Smith’s old spot.

Tyler Elsdon and Kobe King are the contenders for time in the middle, and you could see Jonathan Sutherland and Jamari Buddin getting snaps at the strong-side spot.

• Defensive tackle depth. Penn State will miss Derrick Tangelo, the Duke transfer who raised his game last season when top tackle PJ Mustipher suffered a season-ending leg injury in the fifth game.

Mustipher is back, but will the 2021 second-team All-Big Ten choice be in top form come September?

Who will the Lions pair with Mustipher, and who rounds out the four-man rotation? Coziah Izzard and Dvon Ellies are at the top of the list and Fatorma Mulbah, and Jordan van den Berg are also pushing for playing time. Franklin has also been impressed by January enrollee Zane Durant, comparing him to former Penn State tackle Kevin Givens.