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PSU's depth takes big hit
Rob Biertempfel is the Pirates beat writer. He can be reached via e-mail. Also check out Biertempfel's blog, Pirates Q&A or follow him on Twitter.
Linebacker LaMar Stewart, fullback Paul Jefferson and guard E.Z. Smith will not play for the Nittany Lions this season. Their status for next year and beyond is uncertain.
Stewart, a junior, recently became a father and is leaving the team for a while to help with the baby. He started the first 10 games last season, before suffering a shoulder injury. He played as a backup in the Capital One Bowl, and finished the year with 62 tackles (36 solo) and three pass break-ups.
He had shoulder surgery in the offseason. Although he has recovered, Stewart has not been with the team during preseason camp.
Coach Joe Paterno said Stewart did well in summer school, but there are other issues that will keep him off the field.
"LaMar's personal life has changed and I think he's got to adjust to that," Paterno said. "We don't have to use him this year; we can redshirt him. Let's get him settled down (and) adjust to his new responsibilities he has, and go from there.
"Eventually, LaMar is going to be a real asset to this program. We're just not planning on having him be part of it this year."
Jefferson started four of the 10 games in which Penn State did not open with a three-receiver set. He had 16 carries for 65 yards and one touchdown.
Beset by off-the-field problems, Jefferson did not take part in preseason workouts. Paterno said Jefferson will practice with the team his fall, but will not play.
Jefferson, a senior, is eligible for a redshirt and could return to the squad next year.
Considering the inexperience on the offensive line, Smith will be the toughest of the three banished starters to replace.
Smith started six games last year as a redshirt freshman, and came out of spring drills as the starting left guard. Over the summer, however, he received two citations for underage drinking on back-to-back weekends.
"E.Z. Smith is ineligible," Paterno said. "He will be in school, but he will not practice with the team."
Smith, a redshirt sophomore, stands to lose a year's eligibility, but not his scholarship.
Yesterday's press conference was the first time Paterno had addressed the media since Aug. 9, the second day of preseason camp. Practices are closed, and Penn State does not issue updates.
Other items Paterno discussed:
"We played him on our coverage team last year, and he was good with that," Paterno said. "It's nice to know you've got a kid who can play on both sides of the ball."
"There are three or four kids who have worked hard (this preseason), and maybe a fifth," Paterno said. "I don't want to get into who's where and what. It's not just a question of what you want to do; it's a question of being fair to the kids."
