Andrew Quarless got a chance to show off his hands and his speed on a 60-yard touchdown last week at Michigan, reminding everyone of his talents as a tight end.

Those talents were evident three years ago when Quarless, as a true freshman, appeared to be on his way to stardom.

His career didn't work out quite as planned thanks to a couple of alcohol-related issues (underage drinking citation, DUI) and a lot of time in Joe Paterno's doghouse, but Quarless is doing everything he can this season to finish on a high note.

"I'm definitely happy with the way I'm playing," he said.

Quarless already has a career-high 23 catches -- two more than his impressive freshman campaign -- and with five games left, he may be able to reach 40 receptions. That would be a magic number for Quarless as it would give him 86 career receptions, the current school record for a tight end set by All-American and future NFL standout Ted Kwalick from 1966-68.

Quarless spent much of the preseason answering questions about his attitude and focus entering his senior year. He assured everyone things would be different this season, that he would stay out of trouble and make an impact on the field.

To the young man's credit, he has done just that.

And to Paterno's credit, he stuck with Quarless through the tough times and gave him second and third chances so he could be in this position.

Paterno was asked if there was ever a time he thought Quarless might not be able to stick it out at Penn State given some of his indiscretions.

"Sure there was," JoePa said.

Quarless came to Penn State at just 17 years old and enjoyed immediate success. He has even admitted some of that success may have come too early and too easily.

"Quarless was a kid that was a little spoiled [when he] came in here," Paterno said. "He was a gifted athlete, cut some classes, got himself in a situation in a preseason practice where he was late. But he grew up, and obviously he's doing well academically and he's doing well on the football field."

Quarless is now in position to enhance his NFL stock -- he's primarily projected as a fifth- or sixth-round pick -- and his numbers so far this season have to be helping.

"Quarless is good. I think that offense doesn't really utilize him the way that he should be utilized," scout.com NFL draft analyst Chris Steuber said. "I think he's a much better receiver than they really showcase him as.

"He probably has more upside at the NFL level. I think you could say that about a lot of Penn State players, that they have more potential in the pros than they do in college because it's the system that they run there, and it only really showcases certain positions."

Quarless' 60-yard catch and run for a TD at Michigan was the first time he reached the end zone in 16 games.

"It does get frustrating not to be in the end zone, but that's part of the game," he said. "You can't really expect to have a touchdown all the time. But me personally, I want to get in the end zone. I'm happy I got a chance to show my speed and my ability."

His receiving ability has been evident since his freshman year, but there have always been questions about Quarless' blocking skills.

"As a receiver, he's really good, and I think in the NFL he's going to be really good," Steuber said. "There are questions marks about his blocking ability, but there are a lot of tight ends in the country that have problems with blocking.

"I think that can be coached up, and I think if Quarless gets into the right system, he can learn to block. He's never going to be great at it, but he's going to be proficient and be good at it."

Cory Giger can be reached at 949-7031 and cgsports12@aol.com.