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 #37 is one of the many candidates to fill in the starting safety spot next to Drew Astorino in 2009: Andrew Dailey.

Number: 13
Position: “Hero” Safety
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Height: 6′2
Weight: 221
Hometown: Massilon, OH
How’d He Get Here: Andrew Dailey was recruited by most schools as a linebacker prospect.  Although he played safety in high school, the prevailing opnion was that Dailey was too slow, and would grow too big, to play the position at the NCAA level.  Still, Dailey’s lack of a true position didn’t stop the recruiting services from ranking him highly–he had 4 stars from each service and was rated a top 10 outside linebacker–or coaches from high profile schools sending him scholarship offers.  Before settling on Penn State,  Andrew Dailey had drawn interest from Florida, Nebraska, Illinois, and Syracuse, among others.  Jay Paterno worked his magic, though, and lured the prize recruit to Happy Valley.
2008 Results: Dailey saw action at linebacker in all but the Illinois games, though he didn’t exactly rack up the statistics, making just 5 tackles, only one of which he didn’t assist on.  Still, what Dailey has going for him is that he played in 2008.  His top competition didn’t see the field for Penn State last year, which gives him an edge up, at least in the early going, for the starting nod.
What to Expect in 2009: Penn State likes to use it’s strong safety, which it calls the “hero” position, as a sort of fourth linebacker, playing him very close to the line of scrimmage.  Remember where Mark Rubin was playing when he was able to strip Terrelle Pryor, and you’ll see just how important physicality is for a Penn State safety.  Dailey certainly has the advantage in size over his competition, and with the edge in experience, which as we’ve seen is so important for Joe Paterno and his coaching staff, so he should be the incumbent at SS coming into 2009.  Whether he stays there is the question.
Random Facts: I think Dailey looks a lot like Sylvester Stallone.  Okay, you want a real fact?  How about this: talk about being jerked around: when Dailey came in to Penn State, he started practicing at linebacker.  Last year, in order to gain some versatility, Dailey took reps in practice at wide receiver, fullback,  and tight end.  Now, he’s playing safety.  That seems to make Dailey a jack of all trades for this Nittany Lion crew.
The Final Word: When it comes to playing safety, one would hope Penn State has better options than Dailey, though it’s not a knock against him.  And even though Dailey came into spring practice–and the Blue/White Game–as the starter, it’s not hard to imagine him being knocked out of that position, if not to start the season, then certainly by the start of Big Ten play, when the injury-plagued Nick Sukay, and inexperienced Gerald Hodges start to become accustomed to the speed of NCAA football.  Dailey will certainly see plenty of time, however, in the secondary, and Penn State could certainly use a good showing from the 3rd year sophomore.