In a world where the media is attracted to highlight passing and running plays, real battles in football are won in the trenches. The Penn State Nittany Lions are "quietly" roaring to the tune of a 7-0 record after thrashing the Wisconsin Badgers last night.
The great start can be attributed to the new "Spread HD offense" but let's not forget about the great playmaking of the defense, which is led by not safety Anthony Scirrotto but redshirt sophomore defensive end Aaron Maybin.
Maybin headed into last evening's showdown with the Badgers tied first nationally in sacks with seven. He also had nine tackles for a loss, 23 total tackles, and one pass broken up in the first six games of the season.
2008 is Maybin's third season with the Penn State Nittany Lions but just his second on the field as he redshirted as a true freshman in 2006. Last season, as a redshirt freshman, Maybin introduced himself to the Happy Valley faithful by sacking Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen in a Penn State victory. In 2007, Maybin played in every game on defense and special teams.
This Ellicott City, Maryland native is 6'4", 236 lbs. according to GoPSUSports.com. Pro Draft Guide views him as a high riser that would put the New York Stock Exchange on high alert.
Early into the 2008 season, the defensive end everyone has been talking about is Texas Longhorns' speedy pass rusher Brian Orakpo. While Orakpo has been light out, he needs to share in the limelight with Aaron Maybin.
Maybin's instincts are what makes him play with an "effortless" feel on Saturday's. While we feel that Maybin could eventually switch into an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense in the NFL, he is more comfortable at defensive end right now.
You heard it here first, be on the look out for Aaron Maybin next April at the NFL Draft if he does declare by the underclassman deadline January 15, 2009.
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about 1 month ago
Maybin is a f*cking BEAST!!! He leads the Nation is sacks, I think...its at least the Big 10, if not the nation. He may not be the best run stopper, I think Mo Evans is better at run stopping because he is bigger, but Aaron Maybin is definitely an all american and the best pass rusher in the NATION, even if statistics and Penn State Haters (ESPN) don't think so!
from about 1 month ago
Also, he better not leave for the draft...we need him, especially because we lose a lot of players in our secondary, o-line, our receivers, and some linebackers and d-line next year. WE NEED HIM!!!
27 days ago
Some computer error won't let me comment on your Pryor story or leave you a note on your profile page. You're ridiculously hard on Pryor. Peyton Manning's better than him, too. If you want to compare apples to apples, name a better freshman QB who starts in a major conference. He was hyped because he was the best high school QB in the nation. He has things to learn and a terrific coach. Let's talk tomorrow. It'll be a tough game for him tonight, but it'd be a tough game for a 5th year senior QB.
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