Koa Farmer moved to LB

Penn State announced Monday that true freshman Koa Farmer has officially been moved to linebacker. Farmer began preseason camp at safety.

A Rivals.com four-star athlete from Sherman Oaks (Calif.), Farmer was recruited as a defensive back, but it was made clear early on that he would also see time at the star position, a hybrid of safety and linebacker.

Therefore, news of Farmer's position switch doesn't necessarily come as a huge surprise. In fact, when Blue White Illustrated first learned that fellow freshman Troy Apke was being converted from wide receiver to safety, we were told how a lot of that switch had to do with the hope that Farmer would be able to handle an expanded role at LB, thus creating an opening for another true safety.

At 6-foot-1 and 208 pounds, Farmer joins fellow true freshmen Troy Reeder and Jason Cabinda in Penn State's linebacker corps. There are now seven healthy scholarship LBs on the roster. Ben Kline suffered an off-season injury to his Achilles tendon and is expected to miss the entire 2014 season.

As a recruit, Farmer was ranked the No. 30 overall prospect in California and the 21st-ranked athlete in the country.

#PennState true freshman Koa Farmer has moved to linebacker. Began training camp at safety. 19 days until @CrokePkClassic.- Jeff Nelson (@GoPSUJeff) August 11, 2014