UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Mike Yancich has been surrounded by talented linebackers throughout his career.

Two years ago, he was one of three linebackers from Trinity High School who signed with Division I college programs.

In his first two seasons at Penn State, Yancich was stuck behind the trio of Sean Lee, Navorro Bowman and Josh Hull.

But with last year's top tacklers gone and preparing for the NFL draft, Yancich is hoping to become a much bigger contributor this fall.

A 6-foot-2, 235-pound redshirt sophomore, he was the second-string middle linebacker behind senior Chris Colasanti in Saturday's Coaches' Clinic scrimmage at Beaver Stadium.

"I am getting a decent amount of action this spring," Yancich said. "I'm enjoying it. I didn't feel like I was getting as much work the last few years as I needed.

"I'm just going to keep working hard and do my best and see where it puts me at the end of spring."

Yancich was a first-team Class AAA all-state linebacker as a senior at Trinity, when he had 118 tackles and 17 sacks. He also gained 1,616 yards and scored 21 touchdowns as a running back.

In his first season on the field last year at Penn State, he contributed primarily on the punt and kickoff return teams, playing in 10 games.

"Mike's progressing well," defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. "I think he's on course to play a lot of football for us. He's very versatile and can play any of the three linebacker positions.

"He's a tough kid. He has good instincts and he can run a 4.6 [seconds in the 40-yard dash]."

Yancich said Lee, from Upper St. Clair, Bowman and Hull helped school him on the ins and outs of playing linebacker.

"They could break it down easier than some of our coaches could," Yancich said. "They knew the defense inside and out."

Nathan Stupar and Bani Gbadyu, part-time starters a year ago due to injuries to Bowman and Lee, are the Nittany Lions' first-team outside linebackers this spring. Gbadyu is a fifth-year senior and Stupar a redshirt junior.

Sophomore Gerald Hodges, a former safety, and redshirt sophomore walk-on James Van Fleet were at outside linebacker with the second team Saturday. Yancich was calling the defensive signals.

Glenn Carson, a member of the 2009 recruiting class who took a grayshirt last year, is the No. 3 middle linebacker, while true freshman and early enrollee Khairi Fortt took snaps at outside linebacker with the third team.

"We have a very disciplined group of linebackers," Yancich said. "Whoever we throw out there, they will tear it up."

Redshirt sophomore Michael Mauti, recovering from an ACL injury that sidelined him last season, is the X factor. He has been participating in non-contact drills. If healthy, he is expected to be one of the leaders of the defense this season.

"Mauti is way ahead of where he should be in his rehab, but he's not going to be handed a starting job when he comes back," Bradley said. "He's going to have to earn it. He has the athletic skills to be real good."

Highly touted true freshman Mike Hull from Canon-McMillan, a member of the 2010 recruiting class, is expected to join the mix this summer.

"I played against him in high school -- I was a senior and he was a sophomore -- and he really opened up our eyes," Yancich said. "We game-planned around him.

"He's going to be a great player, but whether he gets onto the field this year is up to the coaches."

NOTES -- No. 1 sophomore quarterback Kevin Newsome struggled with his passing, missing his first four throws in the 7-on-7 drill, and going 1 for 4 on his first drive. But he engineered a 65-yard scoring drive, set up by his 25-yard, third-down scramble. Backup redshirt sophomore Matt McGloin completed passes of 45 and 42 yards and third-string true freshman early enrollee Paul Jones (Sto-Rox) was relegated mostly to handing off. ... Senior Stefen Wisniewski (Central Catholic) was the starting right guard after playing center last year. Redshirt sophomore Mike Farrell (Shady Side Academy) was the second-team left tackle and redshirt freshman Adam Gress (West Mifflin) the third-team right tackle. ... Wide receiver Christian Kuntz injured his left knee. ... The Blue-White Game is April 24 and will be televised by ESPN2.

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