Daniels was solid last year in limited time off the bench, registering 31 stops. Paterno has said he may be PSU's best ever at his position. Small but very strong, the Jim Thorpe Award candidate led the Big Ten in interceptions last season with six and added 22 tackles. Senior King had a breakout game in the Outback Bowl, intercepting two passes, recovering a fumble, and making 11 tackles. His regular season wasn't nearly as prolific, though he started every game and played the third-most snaps on the team, recording 38 tackles.
Depth is a concern with all of the secondary.
While Bhawoh Jue was a valuable reserve last season and could compete with King for the starting nod, Branch makes the switch from wide receiver for much-needed depth. Adams put his starting spot in jeopardy with a May arrest for drunken driving. Paterno said Boyd will move ahead of him on the depth chart, but no one's sure for how long. Adams, a special teams standout, tallied 30 tackles as a backup last season and earned the defense's Jim O'Hora Award for most improved in April. Boyd, one of the hardest hitters on the team, totaled 42 tackles as a second-stringer last year.