April 10, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - He hadn't played a down for the Nittany Lions prior to the 2013 season, so when former head coach Bill O'Brien summoned Carl Nassib to his office on an early morning during training camp in August of 2013 it's easy to understand why he was a little nervous.
Nassib entered the head coach's office as a walk-on with a semester bill due to the registrar's office in a matter of days and left with a full scholarship, one that he has kept to this day.
Now, 20 months later, Nassib is in line to play a central role as a defensive end for the Nittany Lions in 2015. While plenty has changed for the West Chester native since that day in 2013, namely bulking up to 6-6, 270 pounds, one thing has remained constant - Nassib's motor.
The senior is relentless and plays every rep at practice like it's his last.
"Everybody is hungry and all of the defensive ends want to prove themselves every time we go on the field," Nassib said.
It's usually not difficult to know when Nassib is on the field for a rep at practice because you can hear his enthusiasm. Nassib never met a challenge he didn't enjoy facing or one he didn't believe he could beat.
"I have a great time at practice, yelling the whole time," said Nassib. "I'm trying to make plays, and when one person is out there yelling and having a good time it excites everybody...While your out there, you want to be hyped, have fun and do your thing. It's all about getting better, and you might as well have fun while you are doing it."
With two vacancies at defensive end following the graduation of Deion Barnes and C.J. Olaniyan, Nassib knew this offseason was an opportunity to take the next step. His quest for securing a starting spot began in the winter when he added nearly 10 pounds of muscle to his frame.
The increased size to go along with his speed and quickness has made the senior a tough man to block since spring practice began on March 17. Nassib, who has seen action in 23 of the past 25 Penn State games (7 tackles and 3.5 TFL in 2014), is the veteran of the defensive ends. It's a unit of ends full of potential thanks to a cupboard filled with young talent, including junior Evan Schwan, sophomore, Garrett Sickels, sophomore Curtis Cothran and freshman Torrence Brown.
"I'm really liking what I am seeing from the young guys," said Nassib. "They make me better. I make them better. They are doing a great job."
Aiding in the growth and development of the defensive ends is who the unit is able to lineup next to. All-America candidates Anthony Zettel and Austin Johnson are formidable figures in the heart of the coach Sean Spencer's unit, and it's something that makes Nassib's eyes light up at the potential of the group.
`It's relieving to know that you are lined up right next to them" said Nassib. "They are awesome football players. I'm excited to see how they progress even further from the seasons they had last year. I'm excited to play next to them. Single blocking those two guys is almost impossible."
A biology major with aspirations of pursuing medical school to specialize in pediatrics, Nassib is among the top students on the team. Now, the Eastern Pennsylvania product is primed to leave his mark on the field.
"I don't really look to the future too much and get ahead of myself," Nassib said. "I take everything day by day and try to get better every day. If I think about the future too much, I lose the present. It started in high school, and I just tried to work my butt off every single day. Back then I didn't really see myself here. I had no idea (I would be in this position). But I just worked to see where things would take me."