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Picking out an early contributor for Penn State is more of a challenge than at some other places in the Big Ten.
The Nittany Lions have plenty of talented recruits headed to central Pennsylvania, but their needs continue to be at places it can be for young players to break early.
Head coach James Franklin has resisted playing freshman while his offensive line has struggled the last two seasons, but Michal Menet could be too good to keep on the bench this fall.
The Reading (Pa.) Exeter Twp. product is Penn State's highest-rated recruit for 2016.
Senior year highlights show him at both tight end and left tackle, where he is an athletic, aggressive blocker. He can get to the second level and neutralize linebackers or handle the point of attack.
As bonuses: He's got a knack for blocking punts, and he is much more than an extra blocker at tight end, showing the ability to adjust to balls thrown outside his frame and run after the catch.
Only one starter graduated from Penn State's 2015 line, but the unit will have a new coach this season, and the results the last two years certainly don't lend themselves to anyone favoring the status quo.
Second choice: After losing a pair of stud defensive tackles, Penn State will need to rebuild depth inside even if the Nittany Lions don't have to start freshmen there.
Tyrell Chase, a four-star junior-college transfer, and Ellison Jordan, a four-star prospect from Baltimore, could find themselves in the fray early.
