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Which Penn State defensive end will step up in Ryan Buchholz’s absence?

UNIVERSITY PARK

Ryan Buchholz, coming off an injury-plagued yet promising 2017 campaign, was expected to be a legitimate breakout candidate for Penn State this season. Instead, the defensive end will watch from the sidelines, leaving the Nittany Lions looking for a suitable replacement.

Thankfully for James Franklin and his coaching staff, they have a few options.

“Obviously we’d love to have (Buchholz),” Franklin said following Wednesday’s practice, hours after the defensive end announced his retirement from football. “He’s been a very productive player and an unbelievable teammate. But it’s not like this just came out of nowhere.