Penn State football updates depth chart ahead of Maryland

Some notes on the Nittany Lions' newest depth chart.

© Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

It's that time of the week again.

Penn State released an updated depth chart Monday ahead of the Nittany Lions' contest at Maryland Friday at 8 p.m.

Here are some notes on the changes:

- There's still four co-starters at running back, but Journey Brown is listed ahead of Ricky Slade as the top back for the first time. "We've got four guys that we're going to keep playing until someone separates," James Franklin said following practice last Wednesday.

- Trent Gordon is listed as the second-team cornerback behind John Reid. Gordon replaced Donovan Johnson, who is now third at the other cornerback spot behind Tariq Castro-Fields and Keaton Ellis.

- Fred Hansard has jumped Damion Barber for the second-team spot at defensive tackle behind Robert Windsor.

- Former five-star recruit Brandon Smith is listed as a second-teamer at SAM linebacker after appearing on previous depth charts as a third-teamer at WILL. The true freshman shares an "or" designation with Charlie Katshir.

- CJ Holmes is featured at safety for the first time. The Notre Dame transfer arrived in State College as a running back, but switched to the defensive side of the ball this offseason. Holmes replaced true freshman Tyler Rudolph and is listed behind Garrett Taylor and Jonathan Sutherland.

A link to this week's depth chart (on page 18)