16 starters returned to Penn State from a season ago, and to compliment those players, quite a few teammates have stepped up in the new season.

Coach James Franklin and his coaching staff do an excellent job of developing talent, so it is no wonder that his former recruits and seasoned veterans are flourishing in the program.

Some players have not only stepped up, but have played monumental roles in victories for the Nittany Lions.

Here are the guys who have broken through for Penn State so far in 2017:

DE Shareef Miller

If it were not for the presences of seniors Marcus Allen and Jason Cabinda, Shareef Miller would likely be the undisputed leader of the defense.

No. 48, now wearing No. 19 in honor of injured teammate and friend Torrence Brown, has been a force off of the edge.

More to Come Stay Down ‼️ pic.twitter.com/p6pWPVCZL8 — Shareef Miller (@Reef745) September 28, 2017

Miller was predicted by many college football analysts to have a breakout season, and the man has lived up to the hype.

16 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, three QB hits and a safety over five games is extremely impressive, especially since this is his first season as a starter.

Miller had a heck of a game against Iowa, where he produced five tackles, two tackles for loss and the safety when it mattered most in Kinnick Stadium.

Continue to be on the lookout for this beast on the field, as he has shown that his motor and heart are undoubtedly strong at this point in the season.

OT Will Fries

Will Fries has become a huge part of the offensive line after being thrust onto the field due to injuries.

The redshirt freshman has been used at left tackle, right tackle and right guard. His first start came against Georgia State, and now he is used as a regular off the bench.

His ability to play at multiple positions along the line gives him the versatility that this unit needs, given that they are still a work in progress.

The New Jersey native could see more action, even as a starter, after tackle Andrew Nelson was sidelined in the Iowa game.

Speaking of Iowa, Fries was Nelson’s second half replacement and nearly silenced that side of Iowa’s defensive line for the remainder of the game.

Penn State needs a guy like Fries, especially if Nelson is out longer than expected, as he did not suit up for Indiana.

A player that can start, or come off the bench when needed and fill in at multiple spots on the offensive line has immense value that should not be overlooked.

CB’s Grant Haley & Christian Campbell

I am putting both Grant Haley and Christian Campbell together because senior veterans have been playing close to shutdown football throughout the first half of the season.

The veterans have stepped up in a major way, and continue to make plays on the defensive side of things.

It can, and should, definitely be argued that the reason Penn State holds opposing teams to just nine points a game is due to the secondary.

The fact that the secondary has improved as much as it did from a season ago is another bonus for Haley and Campbell’s production thus far.

Campbell has logged a forced fumble, and leads the team in pass break ups and passes defended with seven a piece, while Haley is tied for the team lead in interceptions with two.

This was initially ruled a strip for Troy Apke. Clearly was Christian Campbell, and it was switched. Playing to the whistle. pic.twitter.com/3iYpqcj0Fe — Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) October 1, 2017

Haley has tied his career high for interceptions in a season, taking one away against Pittsburgh and Georgia State.

Indiana, a team that averages 244.3 passing yards per game, was held in check and managed only 175 yards through the air.

Haley and Campbell each had a pass defended that game, and combined for 10 total tackles to show that they are an asset in the run defense game, as well.

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