Mike Hull, Canon-McMillan

Height: 6-1 Weight: 220

Position(s): RB-LB-DB

Year: Senior

The Skinny: A starter since his freshman year, he is considered one of the best all-around players in the state. He has more than 2,500 yards rushing in his career but also is a force on defense. He has the reputation of being a tough, hard-nosed player who moves very well (4.5 in the 40-yard dash). He was bothered last season by back and leg injuries. Hull's father, Tom, was a standout player at Uniontown who played linebacker at Penn State in the early 1970s, and also two years in the NFL.

College talk: Hull made a verbal commitment to Penn State in November of his junior year. At the time, he also had scholarship offers from Pitt, West Virginia and Michigan.

You're a four-year starter. Do you feel old? Yeah, I do. When it comes to football, I feel like I've been in high school for a while. Some of the stuff becomes monotonous, but there are definitely a lot of advantages to playing four years.

What is the biggest thing you've learned by being a starter for four years? That no matter what, you have to play your hardest every weekend. There are no easy teams in Quad-A football. It's going to be a battle, no matter what.

How good can this team be? I think we can definitely be contenders in our conference [Great Southern] and make a run in the playoffs. We have a lot of good skill-position players. We've struggled up front sometimes in the past, but the line is looking pretty good this year. They've come a long way since last year.

How much did the injuries affect you last year? I hurt my back in the beginning of the summer and couldn't work out all summer. Toward the end of the year, I could hardly move and I couldn't do anything I wanted to do on the field. I feel a lot better this year.

Does Penn State want you as a linebacker or defensive back? Originally, they recruited me for both positions. But they've decided they want to put me at outside linebacker because I've gotten bigger than I was last year.

Last concert you attended? Probably 'N Sync when I was in fifth grade.

Movie you could watch any time? 'Top Gun.'

Who is the most dominant athlete in the world right now? That's tough. I'd probably say Dwight Howard [of the NBA's Orlando Magic]. He's a beast.

The thing you'll miss most about summer vacation? Probably just relaxing and being with my buddies.