Penn State center of attention at Big Ten Media Day

CHICAGO, Ill. (WLFI) - From start to finish of Big Ten football media day reporters questioned everyone about the scandalized, once-revered program, which was hit with unprecedented punishments by the NCAA and the Big Ten Conference on Monday.

No one was scrutinized more or had to answer as many questions as new Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien.

“We've got a bunch of kids back in State College right now that are sticking together, that have been through a lot of tough times over the last six months but have turned the page and are ready to move forward,” said Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien.

While the hot topic at Big Ten Football Media Day involved the Penn State Nittany Lions football program, Purdue head coach Danny Hope and the Boilermakers spoke with confidence when asked about their expectations for the 2012 season.

“The momentum carried right into the off-season training. We have had an outstanding summer, we have had over 90 players on campus for eight or nine weeks straight and they have had a great collective effort and we have a lot of momentum as a football team right now and a lot of energy and a lot of guys are excited about the season,” said head coach Danny Hope.

One player coach hope has high expectations for is senior defensive tackle Kawann Short. One of the best defensive players in the Big Ten is also very excited about where this team is at as they prepare for training camp.

“Just being here in the summer with the workouts and the competitiveness with the games we have on Fridays has been unbelievable. As far as competing and everybody doing what we need to do to get their team some points. We know what we need to do as far as coming together as a team and completing that goal,” said Kawann Short.

The Big Ten Conference announced on Thursday its second annual football Players to Watch list, with 10 players earning preseason recognition. The preseason Players to Watch list is selected by a media panel and consists of five student-athletes each from the Legends Division and Leaders Division.

Representing the Legends Division are Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan and quarterback Denard Robinson, Michigan State cornerback Johnny Adams and defensive end William Gholston and Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead.

The Leaders Division honorees are Ohio State defensive lineman John Simon and quarterback Braxton Miller, Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short and Wisconsin running back Montee Ball and linebacker Chris Borland. Ball, Borland, Robinson, Short and Simon have each been named All-Americans in past seasons.