Penn State football depth chart shows no clear starter at QB

Penn State released its post-spring practice depth chart Thursday, which features a position battle at quarterback even though one of the candidates has not taken a single snap in a practice.

Incoming freshman Christian Hackenberg, whose first practice with the team will be on Aug. 5, the opening day of training camp, is considered neck and neck with Tyler Ferguson, a junior college transfer who participated in the Nittany Lions' entire spring practice.

There is one other position battle shown on the depth chart, at safety, where senior Malcolm Willis, who has started 17 games in his career with the Nittany Lions, is listed as dead even with junior Ryan Keiser.

The Lions did some juggling in the defensive backfield. The other safety spot is being manned by junior Adrian Amos, who moved over from cornerback, while sophomore Trevor Williams, who played wide receiver last season, is a starting cornerback.

The Nittany Lions returned 16 starters from last season. Players report for pre-season camp on Aug. 4, with the first practice session held the next day.

The depth chart is as follows (first team only):

Offensive line: Tackles Donovan Smith and Adam Gress, guards Miles Dieffenbach and John Urschel, center Ty Howle.

Quarterback: Tyler Ferguson or Christian Hackenberg

Running backs: Zach Zwinak, Pat Zerbe (fullback).

Tight ends: Kyle Carter, Jesse James

Wide receivers: Allen Robinson, Brandon Moseby-Felder

Defensive line: C.J. Olaniyan, DaQuan Jones, Kyle Baublitz, Deion Barnes

Linebackers: Mike Hull, Glenn Carson, Nyeem Wartman

Defensive backs: Corners Trevor Williams and Jordan Lucas, safeties Adrian Amos and Malcolm Willis or Ryan Keiser.

--Joe Juliano