A former player saw it early, and so did Penn State first-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

Both believe redshirt freshman Xavier Gilliam is a player who can be a difference-maker on the interior of the Nittany Lions’ defensive line.

James Franklin agrees.

Here was Franklin on the 6-2, 305-pound Gilliam, a tackle, in early April: “Xavier Gilliam’s been a guy that, as you guys saw in the winter workouts, really flashed, and he’s doing it here (in spring), as well.”

And here was Franklin on Gilliam after Tuesday night’s practice with PSU’s season opener against Nevada at Beaver Stadium a week from Saturday.

“He’s just super consistent,” Franklin said of Gilliam.

“Very mature, and he’s gotten bigger, stronger, faster. He obviously was a D-end in high school, and a basketbal

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