According to Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Penn State's director of athletic medicine, Lee will have surgery within the next 2 to 4 weeks and rehabilitation will take approximately 9 months.

Lee played as a true freshman in 2005, so he has a redshirt year available in 2009 if he so chooses.

"I have a responsibility to the team to help do everything I can this year in what might be a non-conventional way," Lee said in a statement released by Jeff Nelson, Penn State's assistant athletic director for communications. "I have to turn this into a positive. It's a bump in the road. I'm excited about the team we have and the kind of season we can have. It's a great opportunity for a young guy."

Lee knows about capitalizing on opportunities. A first-team Class AAAA all-state selection from Upper St. Clair High School just outside Pittsburgh, he appeared in the final seven games as a freshman, registering 11 tackles, a season-high five of which came in the Orange Bowl against Florida State.

His coaches thought so highly of his potential that he was named a starter prior to the 2006 season, a move that sent a row of dominoes toppling: All-America outside linebacker Paul Posluszny moved to middle 'backer, with 2-year senior starter Tim Shaw being shifted to defensive end.

The 6-2, 232-pound Lee finished second in the Big Ten Conference with 138 tackles last season, trailing only Dan Connor, the Bednarik Award winner as the nation's top defensive player. Lee was named a first-team All-America by Pro Football Weekly.

Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said there really isn't an identifiable backup to Lee who can expect first crack at replacing him in the lineup.

"We've been moving guys around, just looking for different combinations," Bradley said. "After spring practice we as a coaching staff will sit down to evaluate and determine our best three linebackers. Thankfully, we do have some flexibility.

"Josh Hall has played in there [at Lee's SAM position], Bani Gbadyu has played in there, Tyrell Sales played in there a few years ago."

If not one of those more experienced players, Lee's replacement could come from the ranks of younger players. Penn State's two most recent recruiting classes included several four-star high school linebackers, including Andrew Dailey, Nate Stupar and incoming freshmen Mike Zordich, Mike Yancich and Michael Mauti.

Bradley said Lee likely will benefit from having been around Posluszny, who suffered partial tears of the posterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee in the Orange Bowl that concluded the 2005 season. Posluszny rehabbed not only that injury, but a broken left forearm incurred in the third game of his rookie season with the Buffalo Bills in 2007.

"I was just with Paul [Saturday] night," Bradley said. "He's been in touch with Sean. They talked about the rehab Paul had to do here and his rehab in Buffalo. Paul should be able to help Sean mentally to get through this whole thing."

Connor, presently in Davie, Fla., preparing for the April 26-27 NFL draft, said Lee has the temperament and disposition to handle an injury of this severity better than most.

"I've been texting Sean back and forth and he seems to be doing OK," Connor said. "He has a good head on his shoulders. I think he sees the big picture. He's determined to rehab it and come back better than ever.'' *