Carl Nassib‘s received plenty of hype this spring. He was labeled a “beast” by defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, and was repeatedly tagged as a standout player from James Franklin and teammates alike. Now, the defensive end has been placed on the Big Ten Network’s Tim Dienhart’s All-Big Ten Spring Team.

Dienhart describes Nassib, the only Penn Stater to make the list: “The 6-7, 270-pound Nassib was described as a ‘beast’ all spring for a defense that needs help at end.”

Nassib does indeed have big shoes to fill on the defensive line, as he’ll work to replace the output of Deion Barnes and C.J. Olyaniyan. He’ll be joined by Garrett Sickels, another new projected starter up front. Austin Johnson and Anthony Zettel, who said he’s poised for an All-American run, will assume the defensive tackle positions.

“I just have been trying to fill in a leadership role like Deion [Barnes] and C.J. [Olaniyan] had on the D-line,” Nassib said earlier this year during spring practices. “They were very great role models for us.”

Nassib’s Penn State journey began as an undersized run-on that ultimately earned a surprise scholarship from then-coach Bill O’Brien. A studious individual, Nassib said he was more focused on a potential career in a medical field than an illustrious four years on the gridiron. But times have changed, and Nassib, now 50 pounds heavier, could break out for the Nittany Lions’ defense, which will search for leadership after Mike Hull’s departure for the NFL Draft.

In 10 games in 2013, Nassib recorded 12 tackles (11 solo), two tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and a pass breakup. Last year, Nassib shone mostly on special teams, but also tallied seven tackles (four solo), 3.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and one pass deflection. A projected starter this year, he’ll be looked upon for much greater numbers.

“We are talking about a guy who showed up here as a 6-foot-5, 218-pound walk-on and now he is a 6-f00t-7, 273-pound scholarship starting defensive end that I think is going to have a break-out year for us,” James Franklin said following the Blue-White game. “I am so proud of him.”

Photo: Mark Selders/GoPSUSports