The linebacker buddies come from different football worlds.

Sean Lee grew up near a big city, was a national high school recruit and has become an All-America candidate and team captain at Penn State.

Josh Hull?

He grew up in tiny Millheim, Pa., was not thought of highly enough to earn even one big-time scholarship offer and was often criticized by fans and media types for his play last year.

Lee will be watching Saturday's Blue-White Game in Beaver Stadium as he finishes recovering from a torn-up knee last spring.

Hull not only will be playing middle linebacker during the scrimmage -- a position earned last fall after Lee got hurt -- but the former walk-on expects to be a starter again this fall.

No matter that Lee should be completely healed by summer ... or that Navorro Bowman, another All-America candidate, expects to man one of the outside positions ... or that there are several young stars-in-the-making battling for the other position or ...

"There's no doubt in my mind that I'm one of the three best linebackers on the team," Hull said. "I'd be extremely disappointed if I don't have a starting job in the fall.

"There's a little bit of uncertainty where I'm going to end up playing ... but there's no uncertainty of whether I'm going to be a starter. Regardless of where I'm playing, I'm positive I'm going to be one of the 11 guys on that defense."

Mostly, Hull was criticized by followers last season for not being quick enough or making enough

Advertisement
big plays -- signatures of predecessors like Paul Posluszny and Dan Connor.

Hull, though, did appear to improve as the season progressed.

"The thing now is experience," he said. "I've been around the game. I don't make mistakes. I'm reading formations extremely well. The biggest progression I've made this spring is my vision, being able to read the offensive line at the same time as having my eye in the backfield to know where the ball is going to be. I just feel I've been able to play a lot faster than in the past."

Said Lee: "Josh impresses me with how far he has come ... I respect how hard he has worked."

And it's quite possible that Hull will be battling his roommate and good friend for playing time.

* * *

Lee came from the Pittsburgh suburbs and made his mark on special teams as a true freshman. He was an impact starter next to Posluszny and Connor as a sophomore and began to take control of the defense as a junior in 2007.

Then came the injury.

Then came the sitting and watching and coaching all of last year. Not playing was torturous at times for the super-intense Lee, but he managed to learn and improve during that time, too.

"Physically, I'm a year older. I'm bigger, stronger and faster and, mentally, I have been through a lot more game planning," he said.

"The first thing is that I want our team to be playing for a national championship. Personally, I think I can be the same, if not a better player."

Said Hull: "Last year, the defense really missed out on having the presence of a great leader. Sean just has a special vibe about him that most of the kids on the team don't have."

So figure on all of this competition at Linebacker U. making the participants even better as spring turns into summer. Especially for the good friends, the two seniors who will be pushing each other, picking each other up.

Lee giving Hull pointers, such as how looking at an offensive lineman's knuckles in his stance can tip off a running or passing play.

Hull reminding Lee of how far a walk-on's work can take him, even at the most competitive position on the team.

And the Nittany Lions seemingly better off for both of them.
fbodani@ydr.com; 771-2104