Linebacker

STATE COLLEGE - Glenn Carson probably doesn't get the respect he deserves. Penn State's junior middle linebacker has 65 tackles, third most on the Nittany Lions. The two names he's behind? Fellow linebackers Mike Mauti and Gerald Hodges. Arguably the two best players on the Lions, Mauti and Hodges have combined for 183 tackles, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and two spots on the semifinalist list for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's best linebacker. Oftentimes, Carson's consistently solid play has been less talked about than that of the two likely NFL-bound, heavy-hitting seniors, who are also two of the most recognizable names on campus.

NEW ORLEANS - It was probably Frank Gore who first made the mistake of misidentifying NaVorro Bowman as Patrick Willis. The San Francisco 49ers had just drafted Bowman out of Penn State and spring practices had begun. The jury is often out on draftees that early in the process, especially for linebackers selected in the hit-or-miss third round. But Gore, the 49ers' Pro Bowl running back, said he realized almost instantly what kind of talent Bowman had, so much so that he mistook him for the all-pro linebacker who had been chasing him in practice for several years already.

NOW THAT the Eagles have found their 2012 starting middle linebacker, what impact will the acquisition of DeMeco Ryans have on whom they might take in the first round of the draft next month? Before Tuesday's trade, most mock drafts had the Eagles selecting Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly with their first-round pick, the 15th overall. Because of his impressive showing at the scouting combine in Indianapolis last month, Kuechly probably wouldn't have made it to 15, but the thinking was the middle-linebacker-needy Eagles would target him and find a way to move up and get him. Now?

It's been quite a confounding and conflicting season for Nate Stupar, Penn State's fifth-year senior linebacker, and it's still just September. Stupar ended spring practice as the first-team strong-side linebacker and began the preseason as the backup after the coaches decided to move Michael Mauti from the middle to his spot and make a place for rising sophomore Glenn Carson. Stupar got over the shock and disappointment of his demotion to contribute while awaiting another chance.

The four championship games in Hershey over the weekend marked the close of the 2012 football campaign. Before turning our attention to hoops, we present you with our preseason football top 10 for 2013 in Southeastern Pennsylvania, with this year's final record in parentheses. Of course, a lot could happen between now and Aug. 2: transfers, coaching changes, offseason injuries, etc. 1. St. Joseph's Prep (10-1). The Hawks lose a number of starters, including eight on defense and four offensive linemen, but are expected to return a solid core of skill-position players.

Ridley linebacker Shane Dougherty talks about the win over Springfield.

An incorrect photo appeared with an article on Penn State linebacker Mike Hull in Thursday's editions.  

West Chester Henderson running back Seth Montgomery and Owen J. Roberts defensive back Buzz Kinzinger are The Inquirer's Chester County-area offensive and defensive football players of the week. Montgomery helped the Warriors (3-4) snap a three-game losing streak by rushing for 220 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries in a 42-32 victory over Penn Wood. Kinzinger intercepted two passes in Owen J. Roberts' 20-12 win over Phoenixville, as the Wildcats (5-2 overall) stayed unbeaten in the Pioneer Athletic Conference at 5-0. Kinzinger also caught a 26-yard touchdown pass.

Between four and seven enshrinees will be announced Feb. 4, the day before the Super Bowl. Bill Parcells, coach Tim Brown, wide receiver Cris Carter, wide receiver Andre Reed, wide receiver Jerome Bettis, running back Curtis Martin, running back Will Shields, offensive lineman Aeneas Williams, defensive back ...

Baseball is a family affair for Archbishop Carroll's Evan Harvey. The senior plays first base for the Patriots. Brother Joe, formerly a standout at Kennedy-Kenrick, is a righthanded pitcher at the University of Pittsburgh and cousin Chris Harvey, who shined at Germantown Academy, is a catcher for Vanderbilt. "Growing up with Joe and Chris, it helped me become a stronger competitor," Evan Harvey said. "Seeing what they did made me want to go out and make a name for myself. " Harvey is doing just that, on the diamond and gridiron.