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Desman Stephens II, a sophomore linebacker, remembers Ryan’s down-to-earth demeanor at their first meeting and the authenticity the coach exuded.

Ryan said within the linebackers corps, he’s looking forward to coaching freshman Desman Stephens II and senior Eric Gentry.

He does inherit star linebacker Eric Gentry, who will return from a season plagued by concussions, as well as an emerging talent in rising sophomore Desman Stephens.

“We’re really motivated as a team,” freshman linebacker Desman Stephens said.

Desman Stephens had played only a handful of snaps to this point, mostly in mop-up duty, but as the freshman linebacker peered over the line of scrimmage at Penn State’s offense Saturday, he could see the third-down play unfolding in his head.