Opportunity there for Etter

When backup center Ty Howle was sidelined with a torn pectoral muscle this summer, it opened up a spot often overlooked on the team's depth chart.

Etter will likely be the starting longsnapper per head coach Bill O'Brien.

Howle was tabbed as the team's starting longsnapper coming out of the spring, a job which now goes to junior Emery Etter.

"He's a guy that has been doing a nice job in training camp. He's a nice kid, a smart guy who cares about the position and knows what his job is," said head coach Bill O'Brien. "I really enjoy being around Emery and more than likely he'll be our snapper."

A walk-on from Chambersburg, Pa., Etter is happy for the opportunity. He came to Penn State in 2009 and spent time learning from former snapper Andrew Pitz. He played in six games as a redshirt freshman snapping for punts, but did not see action in 2011.

"Just like with every position, it's open to competition, but right now I'm the starter on punts and field goals," said Etter. "It really doesn't change my outlook, I prepare every day just the same. I prepare like I'm the starter every game in case I get thrown into the fire."

Etter is hoping to silently make an impact on the field this fall.

"I feel like this is a position where you're part of the team," he said. "You don't get your name out there unless you screw up. For me, it's the definition of being part of the team. Nobody knows who you are, they just know you as a Penn State football player."

An aerospace engineering major, Etter earned a 3.31 GPA during the spring semester.