In joining Charlie’s Top PSU moments, we’ve added another daily countdown feature here at quebecpenspinning. We’ll be measuring up the 50 most important players to Penn State’s success in the 2009 season. You may have noticed that we’ve slacked off a little lately, but expect a few daily doses of Counting Down the Lions until we’re all caught up.

Checking in at #35 is a young player who hopes to compete for a starting job along the offensive line: Matt Stankiewitch.

Number: 54
Position: Offensive Guard
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6′3
Weight: 290
Hometown: Orwigsburg, PA
How’d He Get Here: Stankiewitch played tackle in high school, but it was pretty much agreed upon by all parties that his future at the NCAA level would be on the interior of the line.  Whether you considered Stankiewitch a center (as Rivals and ESPN did) or as a guard (Scout) was the only matter of contention.  Wherever he was slotted in to play, Stankiewitch was graded highly, as a top 10 player at either position, and as a 4-star recruit.  In part because he committed so early in the recruiting process to Penn State, Stankiewitch drew little national attention, though he did receive scholarship offers from the usual local programs: Pitt, Rutgers, and West Virginia were among the schools who failed to secure Matt’s services.  By committing in April, little over a month after the finalization of the previous year’s class, it was clear that Stankiewitch was excited to be a Nittany Lon.
2008 Results:  Early in the season, it was decided Stankiewitch’s first year in the blue and white would be a redshirt season.  Still, he saw plenty of reps in practice at both guard positions and at center, where some thought he could slot in before it was announced that Stefen Wisniewski would be manning the position.
What to Expect in 2009: It’s a true competition for one of the starting guard spots, mainly between Stankiewitch and sophomore Johnnie Troutman, though Troutman also had the advantage of taking a redshirt season.  Even if Stankiewitch isn’t given the starting nod off the bat, the cakewalk of an out-of-conference schedule will allow Penn State to play around with their offensive line to see what works best.  Furthermore, Lou Eliades offers some very nice versatility, and if the coaching staff decides that he fits better at tackle than guard, it opens up the other slot for Stankiewitch.
Random Facts: The Collegian has a nice Q&A with Matt, so I’ll redirect you there.  Here’s one nugget from the interview: his favorite song?  Your Love, by The Outfield.  It’s very catchy.
The Final Word: My guess is the question of Stankiewitch starting for the Lions won’t be answered with an if, but with a when.  Though he currently sits behind Troutman on the depth chart–it was Troutman who started with the first team offense during the Blue/White Game–Stankiewitch came in to Penn State not just as a highly touted recruit, but as a great kid who seems to embody the Penn State tradition.  Troutman has the size advantage, and 30 pounds on Stankiewitch, but don’t be surprised to see Matt win the damn thing.