STATE COLLEGE - Ron Vanderlinden knows a good linebacker when he sees one.
So far, he likes what he's seen from Garth Lakitsky.
Lakitsky is a freshman linebacker at Penn State after spending two years at Lackawanna Junior College.
The 6-foot-1, 236-pound Tamaqua graduate took part in Thursday's annual Penn State Football Media Day but was unable to talk to the media because he's a freshman.
Vanderlinden, the Nittany Lions' linebackers coach since 2001, did the talking instead, speaking highly of the former Blue Raider standout who came to Penn State as a walk-on - or "run-on" as head coach Bill O'Brien likes to call them.
"Garth came to us from Lackawanna and was very impressive in that he's also a terrific wrestler," Vanderlinden said. "The combination of that toughness and work ethic as a wrestler really was interesting and exciting to have him come out for football.
"He's off to a good start."
Lakitsky will wear No. 49 for the Nittany Lions, who open their season Aug. 31 against Syracuse at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Penn State lost star linebackers Gerald Hodges and Mike Mauti to graduation and the NFL, but return letterwinners Mike Hull, Glenn Carson and Ben Kline, and talented freshman Nyeem Wartman.
After those four, however, depth is a concern. Redshirt freshmen Gary Wooten and Charles Idemudia and true freshman Brandon Bell will vie for time, but O'Brien said run-ons will help boost the linebacking corps.
"Where the depth is more of a concern is at linebacker," O'Brien said during his press conference. "Our three starting linebackers are really good. Tough guys ⦠smart, instinctive players.
"We've brought in a number of linebackers that are run-ons for us. That's part of our strategy for the depth issues at that position. Maybe some of those guys can help us on special teams.
"What we've seen right now with our run-on program, I believe our staff did a really good job bringing in some guys that have upgraded our roster."
Vanderlinden said it was "way too early to tell" if Lakitsky will see playing time on defense or special teams.
But the veteran mentor, who coached current NFL players NaVarro Bowman, Sean Lee, Cameron Wake, Paul Posluszny, Dan Connor, Tim Shaw, Josh Hull, Nate Stupar, Mauti and Hodges, gets excited when talking about Lakitsky.
"I've seen him for three practices, so it's way too early to tell, but I know he's tough," Vanderlinden said. "And that's a good starting spot for a middle linebacker."