might not have a bigger strength on its roster entering the 2014 season than in rising sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg. The former five-star recruit is arguably the nation's best sophomore signal-caller and an indispensable piece of the Nittany Lions' offensive puzzle in coach James Franklin's first season.

Hackenberg has arrived to this point in his career right on schedule, maybe even earlier. Already looking the part of a top-level college quarterback with a 6-4, 234-pound frame and powerful throwing arm, Hackenberg has passed all the tests for instincts and intangibles. He made big plays when they counted against Michigan, was abnormally calm under pressure and kept getting up after big hits.

Hackenberg was a key cog for former coach Bill O'Brien last season, but still had questions to answer. On paper, the Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy product was the right prospect at the right time under the right guidance from O'Brien. But he was faced with the unenviable task of beginning his growth curve under mammoth expectations.

Hackenberg threw for 2,955 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season and saved his best performance for last with 339 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in a season-ending upset win over No. 14 Wisconsin. He was a no-brainer choice for the Big Ten's rookie of the year award.

With a season of experience under his belt, many expect Hackenberg to take another leap forward in 2014. His projected growth has prompted a No. 12 ranking for Penn State on

.

Wrote NFL.com's Mike Huguenin:

Hackenberg arrived last summer as a highly hyped true freshman and exited the season as the nation's best true freshman quarterback. He started every game and threw for 2,955 yards and 20 TDs in coach Bill O'Brien's offense. But O'Brien is gone now and has been replaced by James Franklin, who didn't have a quarterback nearly as good as Hackenberg at Vanderbilt. There was no question about Hackenberg's continued growth had O'Brien remained, but there has to be a slight one now: Does the new staff know how to handle him? Hackenberg (6-4, 234) is a prototype dropback passer with all the needed tools to be a superstar. O'Connor is a true freshman who enrolled early and went through spring drills.



Star power carried weight in the NFL.com rankings, but so did overall depth. And the Nittany Lions have made improvements on that front, too. At this time last year, every quarterback on the Penn State roster was new to the program. Sophomore JUCO transfer Tyler Ferguson was Hackenberg's primary backup, followed by walk-ons D.J. Crook, Jack Seymour and Austin Whipple.



Ferguson moved on after the season and was replaced by true freshmen Michael O'Connor and Trace McSorley. While the Nittany Lions are still flying without a net, in terms of backup experience to Hackenberg, there's still better overall talent and competition. Like many positions on the Penn State roster, the quarterbacks are better-positioned to thrive in 2015 than in '14.



The depth behind Hackenberg will be even better at that point, and so will the playmakers around him.

The Nittany Lions have key questions along their offensive line and at wide receiver, where Allen Robinson left and took 40 percent of the passing offense (in terms of receptions) with him. Penn State has promising prospects to fill his shoes in Eugene Lewis, Chris Godwin, Saeed Blacknall, DeAndre Thompkins and others, but it remains to be seen if they can collectively "arrive" this season.

Franklin will need the best possible version of Hackenberg to overcome those experience gaps and get all his new playmakers involved.