UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Michael Mauti's promising sophomore season ended just six days after preseason practice began.

Mauti, who was pushing for a starting job at linebacker, injured his right knee during a scrimmage Sunday.

An MRI on Mauti's knee yesterday confirmed that he tore the anterior cruciate ligament.

Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Penn State's director of athletic medicine, said Mauti will have surgery within the next three weeks and his rehabilitation process will take approximately nine months.

Mauti, a 6-foot-2, 231-pounder from Mandeville, La., was injured while pursuing running back Brandon Beachum on a sweep. When Beachum attempted to cut back, Mauti did, too, but his knee gave out.

He was listed as the backup to middle linebacker Josh Hull on the depth chart, but defensive coordinator Tom Bradley and coach Joe Paterno had praised Mauti's work ethic and performance in the past few months. He was the recipient of the Jim O'Hora Award this spring as the defense's most improved player.

Mauti's father, Rich, played wide receiver at Penn State in the mid-1970s and later in the NFL. And his brother, Pat, is a fifth-year walk-on wide receiver.

A U.S. Army All-American in high school, Mauti was one of three true freshmen to play in all 13 games for the Lions last year. He recorded 26 tackles and forced a fumble and also was a key contributor on the special teams.

With Mauti out, Penn State's starting linebacker unit for the Sept. 5 non-conference opener against Akron will be Sean Lee and Navorro Bowman on the outside and Hull in the middle, barring injury. Lee and Hull are fifth-year seniors and Bowman is a redshirt junior who was first-team All-Big Ten in 2008.

Lee sat out last season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during a non-contact play in a scrimmage April 11, 2008. After Lee was injured, the coaching staff moved Hull, a former walk-on, to the middle. He started every game last season and finished second behind Bowman in tackles with 75.

In other news yesterday, five Penn State players were named to preseason watch lists for the Maxwell and Chuck Bednarik awards, which are presented by the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia.

Senior quarterback Daryll Clark and redshirt junior tailback Evan Royster are among the candidates for the Maxwell Award, given to the country's outstanding player.

Bowman, Lee and senior defensive tackle Jared Odrick, another first-team All-Big Ten performer last year, are in the running for the Bednarik, which goes to the country's top defensive player.

Seven former Penn State players have captured the Maxwell Award: tailback Larry Johnson (2002), quarterback Kerry Collins (1994), quarterback Chuck Fusina (1978), Heisman Trophy-winning tailback John Cappelletti (1973), defensive tackle Mike Reid (1969), center Glenn Ressler (1964) and quarterback Rich Lucas (1959).

The Lions' four Bednarik winners include linebackers Dan Connor (2007), Hopewell's Paul Posluszny (2005, '06) and North Hills' LaVar Arrington (1999).

Semifinalists for the two awards will be announced Nov. 4, the three finalists Nov. 23, and the winners Dec. 10 during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football awards show.