Penn State is getting ready to return to the practice field for its second week of preseason camp. Before the pads come on, first-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles continued a longstanding tradition that he brought with him to State College: Picking a player of the day following each set of practices. His first three picks are in after the Nittany Lions practiced for the third and most recent time back on Saturday as they continue to put the finishing touches on what his system will look like this fall.

“I think in today’s game of football, it needs to be somewhat complicated because you need to have answers for everything, particularly at this level,” Knowles said at Penn State media day over the weekend. “Offenses don’t run the same things in college. You better have all different kinds of answers. For teaching and installing, I’ve gotten better at it, I’ve had to, particularly when you come into a situation like this. Our charge is to be great now. If it’s too complicated, or if I can’t get it installed quickly, that’s my fault. I think I’ve developed a process that helps move it along at a more rapid pace.”

Who are Jim Knowles’ first three Penn State defenders of the day?

Transfer linebacker Amare Campbell earned last Wednesday’s honor. Defensive back Kenny Wosley Jr., who is in the battle for the starting nickel job and figures to play plenty even if it’s in a rotational role, earned last Friday’s honor. And, Dejuan Lane, who is battling King Mack for the starting safety job opposite Zakee Wheatley, won Saturday’s honor.

“In two days, I see a lot of natural linebacker skills,” Knowles said when asked about Campbell on Saturday. “And, you don’t see that as much in this day and age of college football. Because, a lot of linebackers are converted from other positions. When you look at the past, how he made plays, a lot of it was through natural instinct, through things that you can’t teach. So with Amare, in two days, I see a lot of that.”

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