Penn State's Michael Mauti Expects To Be 100 Percent For 2012, According To Report

Penn State linebacker Michael Mauti told Donnie Collins of the Citizen's Voice in a report Monday that he expects to be 100 percent as soon as April, which would put him on track to play the full 2012 season for the Nittany Lions.

Mauti toar his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the first half of Penn State's 34-6 win against Eastern Michigan on Sept. 24, which knocked him out for the season. It was the second time such an injury has cost him significant time in his career, as he missed all of 2009 after tearing an ACL in the preseason.

The redshirt junior finished his abbreviated 2011 with 21 tackles, three for loss, and a big interception that helped lead the Lions to a 14-10 win against Temple on Sept. 17, the week before his injury. Next season, he'll look to lead a linebacking corps losing senior Nathan Stupar, but bringing back big names like Gerald Hodges and Khairi Fortt.