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Back to normal? Not yet. Not at Penn State.

But compared to the past three springs in Happy Valley, this one is pretty close to the status quo.

With the Nittany Lions expecting to field a 2015 roster that’s getting closer to the regular 85-scholarship limit, the coaching staff has dialed up the contact during spring ball.

“I think there will be more contact this spring,” Lions coach James Franklin said last week. “I actually want to be more aggressive during spring (than in training camp in the summer). Because if you have some issues, you still have some time. During camp, we’ve got to be really smart, because we’re still limited.

“Right now, we want to get the mental and physical toughness from morning workouts as well as from spring ball. And if you get a bump or a bruise or a scratch now, we’ve got time. We’ve got time to solve that problem before the start of camp.”

Wednesday marked the halfway point of Penn State’s normal spring practices. Seven down with seven to go before wrapping things up with the Blue-White Game on April 18.

During that time, the Lions have tried to get a better handle on who will fill some holes from last year’s roster.

“We’d like as many (starting) positions solidified ahead of time as we can,” Franklin said.

Here’s a look at some of the battles being held now that could spill into the summer.

LEFT TACKLE

At the start of the spring, Franklin identified four candidates to replace Donovan Smith on Christian Hackenberg’s blind side.

Walk-on Albert Hall, Lackawanna College transfer Paris Palmer, redshirt freshman Chance Sorrell and true freshman Sterling Jenkins were all mentioned as possibilities.

Midway through spring practice, however, the Lions staff is isolating on Palmer and Sorrell, both of whom need some seasoning.

“We’d like to get it resolved now,” Franklin said of the left tackle spot. “We’re kind of force-feeding Paris and Chance Sorrell right now on the position. Albert’s still doing some nice things, but I feel like we’ve got to force-feed those two guys and get them as many reps as possible.

“The other positions I think, for the most part, guys are taking control in some spots. But yeah, the quicker we can identify, the better.”

MIDDLE LINEBACKER

For the first time since the sanctions hit, Penn State has a bit of depth across the board at linebacker with three more scholarship freshmen arriving in the summer.

There will be some options for a change.

With the Lions looking for a veteran to take Mike Hull’s place inside, Nyeem Wartman is one of the top options. Franklin also listed fellow junior Gary Wooten. Fifth-year senior Ben Kline may be a candidate, but the Lions are taking it slow with him for now as he returns from a torn Achilles suffered last summer.

“We have more depth, and that’s the special part about it,” Wartman said in a feature produced by Penn State. “We have more guys who can get on the field and play. … All together, the linebacker corps has more quality from top to bottom since I’ve been here.”

DEFENSIVE END

With three of the top four players on the edge from last year gone, there’s plenty of opportunity to challenge for a starting job this fall.

The lone remaining member of the two-deep at end, senior Carl Nassib, will see plenty of snaps again in 2015.

“There are a lot of good things that we’re showing,” Nassib said Wednesday. “All the D-ends, everybody’s hungry, trying to prove themselves and work hard everyday. Get better everyday”

Redshirt sophomore Garrett Sickels has the best pedigree of the remaining ends and figures to be part of the rotation along with players like Curtis Cothran, Evan Schwan and Torrence Brown.

RECEIVER

Sophomores Chris Godwin and Saeed Blacknall will be pushing last year’s starters, DaeSean Hamilton and Eugene Lewis.

Godwin in particular showed a spark at the end of his rookie season, capped off with a deep touchdown in the Pinstripe Bowl against Boston College.

It wasn’t easy at times last season for a green group of wideouts — communication and getting separation from defenders were both issues — but their quarterback is expecting a more confident group in 2015.

“Being able to have that experience I think gave them a better understanding of what they need to do from that standpoint,” Christian Hackenberg said Wednesday. “And now this spring they have the opportunity to really focus on improving their game.”

CORNERBACK

With Jordan Lucas moving back to safety, the Lions will look to a strong group of young players to fill the spot opposite Trevor Williams.

“You don’t make that move unless you feel good about the young corners,” Franklin said. “So having a Christian Campbell, having a Grant Haley (is important). Trevor’s playing at a really high level. Daquan Worley’s showing some nice things.

“We need that fourth guy to step up right now, because then that move really makes sense.”