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 #29 is someone who’ll be part of a very strong rotation at DT, and will be counted on even more heavily with the departure of Abe Koroma: Devon Still.

Number: 72
Position: Defensive Tackle
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Height: 6′5
Weight: 294
Hometown: Wilmington, DE
How’d He Get Here: Even though he played in a state that doesn’t produce too much NCAA-caliber talent, Devon Still made a name for himself during the recruiting process, drawing significant interest from a variety of programs as well as gaining national recognition.  Named to Delaware’s First Team All-State; Scouts, Inc.’s ESPNU150 rankings; and was rated as a 4-star prospect by both Scout and Rivals, Still counted Ohio State, Michigan, Maryland, and Miami, along with Penn State, as his top 5, and committed to Penn State in January of 2007.
2008 Results: For the second straight season, Still suffered a season-ending injury during spring practice.  In 2007, it was a torn ACL that held him out of action for the year, only to find his hard work in rehab go to waste with a broken leg in the first week of practice the following year.  Though he returned to action in the final game of the season, seeing snaps in Penn State’s Rose Bowl loss to USC, 2008 was hardly another wasted season for Still.  He came into Penn State as a 250 pound defensive end, and now weighs in close to 300 pounds and as a rock in the middle.
What to Expect in 2009: Penn State was set to come into the 2009 season with perhaps the deepest core of defensive tackles in the country, returning literally everyone who saw snaps at the position in 2008.  Though Abe Koroma’s departure means more snaps for Still, Ollie Ogbu, Brandon Ware, and Chima Okoli, the position, led by All-American candidate Jared Odrick, might be the best in the NCAA.  Larry Johnson will certainly rotate through the tackles, meaning plenty of time for Devon Still.  Penn State will rely on strong play from its defensive tackles in order to help solidify a line that loses the top 3 defensive ends, and Still will be relied upon heavily in that regard.
Random Facts: Still comes from a family that’s enjoyed plenty of football success.  Two of his cousins, Art Still and Levon Kirkland, found success in the NFL, establishing long and productive careers.
The Final Word: When you talk about someone who’s just snakebit, Still’s name is the one that pops up immediately.  It’s pretty tough, compiling these rankings, and seeing just how many Nittany Lions have had serious injuries, but even more impressive to see how many of them have still had productive careers in the Blue and White.  After losing his first two years to season-ending injuries, Still has a chance to make a serious impact in 2009.  Next to Jared Odrick, and probably Ollie Ogbu, Still should see more playing time than any other defensive tackle, and he’ll have a chance to live up to his lofty recruiting rankings.  For all the hard work he’s had to overcome to get to this point, we certainly hope the best for Still.  He certainly looked like a player in the Blue/White Game, and we hope he’ll be able to put that on display for 13 games in 2009.