Sports

After successful spring game, O'Brien, Penn State optimistic heading into summer

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien gives direction to his team duringn the second half of their spring NCAA colelge football scrimmage on Saturday, April 20, 2013 in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (The Associated Press)

Penn State running back Deron Thompson (36) is tackled by Penn State cornerback Adrian Amos (4) and linebacker Mike Hull (43) in the first half of their spring NCAA college football game on Saturday, April 20, 2013, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (The Associated Press)

Penn State is developing a lot of options for a team that's being forced to whittle down scholarship depth.

A youth movement on display at the Blue-White scrimmage over the weekend was the first sign of new contributors come fall.

Redshirt freshman Austin Johnson, vying to replace standout tackle Jordan Hill, had two sacks. Another redshirt, tight end Brent Wilkerson, caught a touchdown and sought to prove he was ready to join a top-heavy position.

A third redshirt freshman, Akeel Lynch, ran for 87 yards and showed he could be another backfield contributor for coach Bill O'Brien.

It was just a spring practice game, with a scaled-down playbook and hitting. But the team appears to be in better shape after gaining a year of experience in O'Brien's systems.