Penn State assistant coach Deion Barnes remembers his freshman year with the Nittany Lions and how much he had to learn.
Barnes said this week that several freshman defensive linemen under his tutelage are far more advanced than he was in 2011.
"I was nowhere near where they are," he said. "These guys are smart kids. They understand. The way they catch on so fast amazes me."
Freshmen Chaz Coleman, Yvan Kemajou and Randy Adirika are expected to play significant roles for Penn State, which opens its season against Nevada Saturday at 3:30 (TV-CBS) at Beaver Stadium.
The second-ranked Nittany Lions are experienced and deep at several positions, but not necessarily on the defensive line.
"We're young there," coach James Franklin said, "but we feel like there is a lot of talent in that room and obviously the first three games are going to be really important."
Franklin and his staff hope the Lions can handle their business against the six-touchdown underdog Wolf Pack, FIU and Villanova in their first three games. If that happens, then young players like Coleman, Kemajou and Adirika can gain experience before the Big Ten opener against Oregon in late September.
The 6-4, 240-pound Coleman might even start Saturday at end. Sixth-year senior Zuriah Fisher, who missed last season with an injury, was expected to be on one flank opposite Dani Dennis-Sutton. But Franklin hinted that Fisher might not be available against Nevada.
"Fisher is still working through coming back from his injury," he said.
Coleman has received rave reviews throughout August. A four-star prospect from Warren, Ohio, he didn't play defensive end until last season.
"The kid who's going to be really good and who will contribute a lot is Coleman," Penn State radio analyst Jack Ham said. "He's a freak athlete."
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has described Coleman as athletic, explosive and mature. But it's his mindset that sets him apart.
"It's his attention to detail," Barnes said. "He's close to being obsessed with trying to do everything he can to get better. He's constantly asking questions. He does a good job of listening and applying. He catches on fast with some things."
The emergence of Coleman and Kemajou at end has allowed Penn State to move Texas A&M transfer Enai White inside to tackle. The 6-3, 250-pound Kemajou is a former four-star prospect from Burtonsville, Md.
"He's a young, powerful kid," Barnes said. "He's a smart kid. He's another kid who's dedicated to learning and getting better. He plays with good technique. He understands the game. He's catching on to everything."
The 6-3, 298-pound Adirika, a former three-star recruit from Miami, had 30 tackles for loss and nine sacks last season at Miami Central. He'll be behind Zane Durant and Alonzo Ford Jr. at tackle, although Franklin said he's not sure how many games he will play.
"He's a powerful kid," Barnes said. "He understands football well. He can see the blocks. For a young D-tackle, that's really the hardest part. He has to be consistent. Can you do it play after play after play?"
Penn State returned six starters on defense and added Knowles, considered one of the top coordinators in the country. But the defense's success in a season the Lions expect to end in late January might hinge on how rapidly Coleman, Kemajou, Adirika and other youngsters develop to provide depth.
"They take the time to figure out things outside practice time and meeting time by asking questions," Barnes said. "That's a testament to not just those three but to all the freshmen. I'm surprised by that. It goes to tell you that these kids are dedicated to football."
Penn State 52, Nevada 7
The Nittany Lions hope to use 65 or 70 players against the Wolf Pack, a prohibitive underdog. Look for Drew Allar to try to connect with the three new wide receivers and for the offensive line to take command against a defense that returns just two starters.