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The Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association's annual East-West all-star game does not get nearly the attention the annual Big 33 game does, and perhaps for good reason. While the state's top high school talent generally plays in the Big 33 game representing the state against bordering rivals (Maryland replaces Ohio this year), that generally leaves the talent pool a little more shallow for any potential in-state all-star game. However, Penn State fans may want to pay at least a little bit of attention to this year's in-state high school all-star game because there are a few future Nittany Lions on the roster.

Blackhawk running back Cole Chiappialle and North Allegheny wide receiver Greg Garrity are on the roster for the West team, coached by Ellwood City head coach Don Phillips. The East team includes two more Penn State-bound players. Council Rock North defensive end Curtis Cothran and Downingtown West tight end Justin Schmitt will also be slated to play in the game. Schmitt will actually be playing on his home field and by his high school rival's coach. This year's all-star game will be played at Downingtown West High School and the head coach for the East team is Downingtown East head coach Mike Matta.

Penn State will be adding a junior college transfer linebacker from Lackawanna College, according to a statement released by Lackawanna College this afternoon.  Garth Lakitsky, of Tamaqua, will be transferring and joining Penn State's football and wrestling teams.

MT @espnjoshmoyer: Juco LB Garth Lakitsky (Tamaqua, Pa) - will transfer to PSU for football & wrestling. bit.ly/1100BT0

— Nittany Lions Den (@TheNLD) March 29, 2013

From a Lackawanna College press release [link];

A two year player at Lackawanna, Lakitsky is a 6'2, 235, linebacker from Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, and 2011 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School. He played in 19 games for the Falcons, recording 88 tackles, four of which were tackles for losses; 1 sack; 1 interception and 3 pass breakups.

At Penn State, Lakitsky will have two years of eligibility left in football and three years in wrestling.

As Josh Moyer of ESPN's recruiting team notes, Lakitsky should be expected to take advantage of Bill O'Brien's run-on program, which would save a scholarship for the time being. The addition of Likitsky to the football team adds a little depth at the signature linebacker position, which loses veteran leadership of Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges this year. Going in to the spring Bill O'Brien commented that the linebacker spot was a shallow position on the depth chart.

The 6'2" 233 pound linebacker has some highlight videos available online, although they are unable to be embedded here.

It seems as though Penn State will be replacing the scoreboards in Beaver Stadium this summer. If you have what it takes, you can make your pitch for the job...

Looks like #PennState will be replacing the scoreboards this summer. Bids for the job are due April 11. twitter.com/BWISnyder/stat…

— Ryan Snyder (@BWISnyder) March 26, 2013

Hemet sticker to Ryan Snyder of Blue White Illustrated.

- Penn State continues spring practices this week, and the analysis of the Penn State roster based on limited media access continues. Fight On State shares their latest take on the offense this spring behind a pay wall.

- New scoreboards coming to Beaver Stadium?

- NCAA President Mark Emmert says he is pleased with the way Penn State has responded to sanctions but Bob Flounders reports there is no indication Emmert is going to cut back on the sanctions any time soon. The comments came during an interview on ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike in the Morning program on Monday.

- Crystal Ball Run has a tournament bracket set up to determine the best helmet in the country. Penn State received a low six seed and is paired up against Alabama, a number three seed, in this round. Head over and cast a vote for the white helmet with blue stripe to help Penn State advance to the next round. Penn State's uniform reached the championship match last year but fell just short against LSU. Let's not make it two straight exits at the expense of the SEC, shall we?

- NBC's Today show aired clips of an interview with convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky Monday morning, in which the former Penn State assistant claimed Joe Paterno would not have continued to let him coach on his staff if he had known about Sandusky's criminal and inappropriate actions. He also maintained his innocence. John Ziegler of FramingPaterno.com was also on for an interview with Matt Lauer. It went about the way you might have suspected. Today, Ziegler says he will reveal the name of Victim 2, proving that he is ultimately a piece of trash that is long overdue for a step back from any self-lit spotlight that may be shining on him. The Paterno family released a statement regarding the release of the Sandusky audio interview.

If you missed it and are interested in the interview, you can watch it here:

While this is not football related, it should be included above the fold. Congratulations to Penn State's wrestling team, your 2013 NCAA Division 1 national champions (again)!

(Photo: Penn State Athletics)

One of the things that resonated the most on Monday, when Bill O'Brien spoke with the media, was how everybody will be expected to compete this spring for positions. That includes the freshmen, who O'Brien says will be given every opportunity to compete.

O'Brien said incoming quarterback Christian Hackenberg will certainly be in the mix once he arrives this summer and a redshirt year for his prized quarterback recruit was not necessarily part of the plan. The same goes for tight end Adam Breneman and other freshmen already on campus this spring. O'Brien has been clear in saying that the best players will play. Bob Flounders took a look at which true freshmen may have a role when the fall comes around. Also from PennLive.com, O'Brien's roster management will be key to getting through the remainder of the NCAA sanctions gutting available scholarships for three more years.

With the start of spring practice on Monday came the first official Bill O'Brien press conference of the season. The tone seemed to relay one of confidence and there will once again be open competition nearly across the board on offense and defense.

You can read O'Brien's full transcript here and catch some of the highlights here.

Among the highlights of O'Brien's press conference included:

• QB Christian Hackenberg will be in the mix under center leading up to the season, but Steven Bench and Tyler Ferguson are hard at work right now.
• TE Adam Breneman will be available this spring, as previously reported, with the staff monitoring his progress closely.
• Zach Zwinak starts the spring as the starting running back, but O'Brien likes the shape Bill Belton is in and Akeel Lynch should also compete for playing time.
• O'Brien is eager to see Glenn Carson be joined by Mike Hull and Nyeem Wartman at linebacker working together this spring.
• Ty Howle will start at center for now, and Miles Dieffenbach remains at guard despite what a previous roster release had printed (initially listed at center).
• Malik Golden will be seeing time this spring at wide receiver and defensive back.

Penn State has 14 more practices and concludes the spring with the annual Blue White Game in Beaver Stadium on April 20. As has been the case for years, parking and admission to the game are free.