It was only a couple of weeks ago that Joe Paterno announced Stephfon Green had been kicked off the team for a violation of team rules and was unlikely to return in 2011. Green was reinstated earlier this week, however, and it seems like everyone involved is looking forward to moving on with the speedy tailback in the fold once again.
"I had told him until I was sure that he was...he understood that he had certain responsibilities, I was not going to let him out for football," Paterno said. "I wasn't going to let him out on the team. So he went to work and he proved to me that he deserves another shot and he's getting another shot."
Green's production has slipped every year since he ran for 578 yards on 105 attempts in 2008. Last season, he fell behind then-freshman Silas Redd on the Lions' depth chart to third on the depth chart and played sparingly. With Evan Royster out of the picture this season, however, he figures to get some more carries assuming he's out of Paterno's doghouse.
Green was no listed among the top four tailbacks when Penn State released its final depth chart on Monday, so he might still have some work to do to get back in the good graces of the coaches.
Regardless, his teammates are glad to have him back, especially safety Nick Sukay who welcomed Green's return at Tuesday's press conference.
"I think I speak for the senior class and everyone else on the team. We think Stephfon is a great player to have on the team," Sukay said. "He brings different dimensions that you just can't teach in someone."