Five years ago, Austin Scott was a hotshot recruit.

He was the most sought-after tailback in Pennsylvania and was considered the plum of Penn State's 2003 class.

As a high school senior, Scott obliterated the state's record book by rushing for an eye-popping 3,853 yards and 53 touchdowns while leading Parkland to the Class AAAA PIAA championship.

Scott was a Parade All-American and rated the third-best running back prospect in the country by national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming. He was being billed as the next great running back at Penn State.

Scott has not produced many highlight-reel plays since his high school days. His career totals with the Nittany Lions (he was redshirted last year) are 1,021 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. He has battled ankle and knee problems and spent more time on the sideline than in the huddle.

With tailback Tony Hunt gone -- he was a third-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles -- this is Scott's last chance to shake off the rust, win the starting job and prove he is not a bust.

"He's always been a good prospect," coach Joe Paterno said. "I think when he came in here, things had been so easy for him in high school, and, all of a sudden, maybe he expected some things to happen to him because he was Austin Scott.

"I think Austin Scott's just got to be a little more consistent. When he wakes up in the morning, he can't be one guy one morning and another guy the next morning. And I think he's much better than he was. We'll see. But I think he's closer to where he's got to be to be a big-time, consistent college tailback than he was a year ago."

Scott's main competition will come from Rodney Kinlaw, another fifth-year senior who has been slowed by injuries. Redshirt freshmen Evan Royster and Brent Carter also will push for playing time.

Scott, 6 feet, 222 pounds, hasn't played in a game since January 2006, when he replaced an injured Hunt in the first quarter of the Orange Bowl and rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the Lions' 26-23 triple-overtime victory against Florida State.

His most recent start came in his freshman season in 2003, when he led Penn State with 436 yards rushing and five touchdowns.

As a redshirt player last year, Scott worked on the scout team.

By the time the season opener arrives Sept. 1 against Florida International, it will have been 20 months since Scott last played in a game.

It has been a long wait.

"I don't think a lot about redemption," Scott said. "It's in the back of my mind, but it's not something I really want to focus on. I want to make sure I'm ready to go, make sure I know everything about the offense.

"I'm tired of answering the same questions over and over. I just want to get out there and play."

Paterno said recently that when he first saw Scott in high school, he thought he was going to be the next Marcus Allen. Now Paterno is just hoping for a healthy Scott.

"He's been working really hard," quarterback Anthony Morelli said. "He's changed his attitude. He's really focused and serious. He's eager to get out there and prove people wrong.

"He has a pretty good overall game as far as being able to break runs and get into the open field. He has a lot of quickness, a good knowledge of the game and experience, which will play a big factor."

Kinlaw, 5-9, 201, also is a former high school All-American. The nephew of former All-American Courtney Brown had 199 yards last year as Hunt's backup.

"Rodney is a really shifty back," Morelli said. "He can make anybody miss. He can pop a big play at any time."

Scott is hoping for a breakthrough year like Larry Johnson produced in 2002. Johnson played sparingly his first three seasons, but reeled off 2,087 yards as a senior and was a first-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I have a lot of confidence in Austin," Morelli said. "He's a great player. He has all of the tools to get the job done."