The 10 Most Important Players In 2009: #5

5. Evan Royster, RB (Jr.)--What can I say about Royster that has not been said before? Not much. For those of us who could tell that he would be special watching him in a backup role as a Redshirt Freshman, last year's 1,236 yard, 12 touchdown performance was not a surprise. But not only must Royster repeat that type of production, but he will probably need to improve upon it with the lost of three outstanding wide receivers. Doing so will not be easy since Penn State must replace 3 offensive linemen from what might have been the best line we've seen in Happy Valley since 1994? With Stephfon Green's injury, Brandon Beachum's relative inexperience, and Freshman Curtis Dukes' being an unknown quantity, Penn State will lean on Royster more than last year--think Tony Hunt in 2006. Royster, who only had to carry the ball 191 times last year averaging 6.5 yards per carry, will likely need to eclipse the 225-240 carry mark (appx. 20 carries per game) this year unless Green fully recovers from surgery, or Beachum and/or Dukes can prove to be a viable backup. If Royster can stay healthy for the entire year, his success as a feature-back will be the defining characteristic, and continue the balanced attack, of the Spread HD offense.