Penn State Football: Top 5 spring 2019 storylines to follow

5. Who will replace Miles Sanders?

For the second consecutive off-season, the Nittany Lions will need to replace their starting running back who left early for the NFL. With the departure of Saquon Barkley after the 2017 season, Miles Sanders was the heir apparent. With Sanders’ departure, the starter is not as clear cut.

Many fans think the starting job will go to Ricky Slade. As a backup to Sanders, the former five start recruit out of Virginia notched 45 carries for 257 yards and six touchdowns. He saw the most action in September and then the regular season finale against Maryland.

Redshirt freshman Journey Brown should not be counted out of earning the starting nod. Brown last season saw very limited action, carrying the ball only eight times for 44 yards but did find the end zone once against Illinois. What makes Brown intriguing is his past as a high school track and field star. He owns the Pennsylvania state record in 100 meters with a time of 10.43 seconds, which broke the record set by 1985 U.S. Olympian Leroy Burrell. Needless to say, Brown has elite speed and should see the field more often this season.

While Slade and Brown should get the majority share of carries, true freshmen Noah Cain and Devyn Ford have the talent to earn playing time. Cain enrolled early so will get the benefit of spring practices before Ford arrives on campus this summer.