Penn State Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on against the USC Trojans during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 03: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions holds up the Most Valuable Player trophy as he walks off the field after the Big Ten Championship game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 3, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Quarterbacks

Starting quarterback: Trace McSorley
Backup: Tommy Stevens

This one’s about as straightforward as they come. Trace McSorley blossomed into one of the country’s best quarterbacks last season, as the gunslinging junior exceeded all expectations placed upon his shoulders, throwing for 3,614 yards and 29 touchdowns.

This team will go as far as Trace takes them — sure, Saquon Barkley is the best player, but with defenses sure to be crowding the box in 2017, McSorley’s ability to move the chains with the intermediate passing game will be key to Penn State’s Big Ten title hopes.

Next: College football's top 50 players for 2017

The backups are unproven, but 6-foot-4 sophomore Tommy Stevens is being groomed to be McSorley’s successor. In the future, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on blue-chip true freshman Sean Clifford.

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