Penn State Defensive Breakdown

PENN STATE POSITION BREAKDOWN: DEFENSE

When you think of Penn State football you typically think of defense. That’s because the Nittany Lion defense is usually at the top of the lists for total defense, last year was no exception; the unit was 14^th in total defense and also finished third in the country in sacks with 46, defensive end Carl Nassib had 15.5 of those sacks. Former defensive coordinator Bob Shoop is off to Tennessee and linebackers coach Brent Pry taking over the role, the defense will look the same but will have to replace some big time players.

There are some big holes to fill with the departure of four potential NFL draftees in the aforementioned Nassib, Austin Johnson, Anthony Zettel, and Jordan Lucas. Here’s a breakdown of those empty positions and who could step in and fill the gaps.

DEFENSIVE LINE:

The defensive line is normally the position where Penn State doesn’t need any help but this season might be a little different. Fans could tell you who the starting front four will be but heading into the spring that’s up in the air. Having to replace those names above is not going to be easy but the “next man up” mentality could be a season-long storyline. On the outside is are ‘veterans’ Evan Schwan and Garrett Sickels who have been behind guys like Carl Nassib and Deion Barnes in recent years so this is their unit now and their time to shine. In the middle, which fans will also tell you might be the strongest position over the last 10 seasons, will have new names for Penn Staters to grow accustom to. Antoine White and Curtis Conthran (who moved inside due to lack of depth) are the likely anchors for the front four with Parker Conthren looking to be key contributor.  Sickels and Schwan will be called upon to be leaders of the defense as seniors so hopefully that leadership can rub on.

• Evan Schwan: 6’6”, 252
• Garrett Sickels: 6’4”, 251
• Parker Conthren: 6’4”, 302
• Curtis Conthran: 6’5”, 262
• Antoine White: 6’2”, 283
• Torrance Brown: 6’3”, 257

LINEBACKERS:

This might be one of the more athletic group of linebackers that Penn State has had in a while. Headlined by Brandon Bell and Jason Cabinda who came on strong after the loss of Nyeem Wartman-White (who should be ready by week one), the linebackers are going to be a valuable part of this defense. With the uncertainty of how the defensive line will play, the linebackers will have to play a step up to take pressure off both the line and secondary. The loss of Troy Reeder to a transfer hurts the depth of the position so names like Manny Bowen, Jake Cooper, and Von Walker are going to have to play a key role in 2016. Brandon Bell was the emotional leader for this defense last season and he’ll have to be that leader again once the Nittany Lions take the field September 3^rd against Kent State.

• Brandon Bell: 6’1”, 231
• Nyeem Wartman-White: 6’1”, 252
• Jason Cabinda: 6’1” 237
• Jake Cooper: 6’1”, 224
• Von Walker: 5’11”, 214
• Manny Bowan: 6’1”, 214

SECONDARY:

It’s been a while since Penn State has had this much talent in the secondary. You might be able to go as far as to say that the second string, whoever that might be, could be as good as the starters. It’s still a relatively young group but it’s a group that has plenty of talent and showed some flashes of that talent last season. It all begins with another guy who has become an emotional leader for the Nittany Lions, Marcus Allen. Allen is a big kid at 6’2”, 208 pounds who sets the tone. He’ll need to stay under control but if he can harness that energy you could be looking at an All-American type of safety. The loss of both Jordan Lucas and Trevor Williams is tough but they’re not losses Penn State can’t replace. Sophomore John Reid showed why he is going to be a starter and a really good one last year as a true freshman with 3 passes broken up and 2 interceptions. On the other side was Grant Haley who was another kid who showed flashes of greatness with 7 passes broken up and 2 interceptions. I mentioned that this might be the most talented secondary that Penn State has had in a while and they’ll need to provide a spark for this defense. One name to keep an eye on as the season rolls around is Nick Scott who made the switch from running back to cornerback.

• Marcus Allen: 6’2”, 208
• Troy Apke: 6’1”, 205
• Malik Golden: 6’0”, 205
• Koa Farmer: 6’1”, 223
• Nick Scott: 5’11”, 195
• Christian Campbell: 6’1”, 191
• Grant Haley: 5’9”, 184
• John Reid: 5’10”, 188

Penn State Offensive Breakdown

Penn State Football: Position Breakdown- Offense

In my most recent Penn State football article I gave a general breakdown of the offense and defense and a ‘state of the program’, if you will. This is a big year for Penn State football and head coach James Franklin. If the team wins 8 or 9 games and fans can see the progress, then everything will be OKAY, but if we win 6 or 7 games and the struggles are still glaring, then the hot seat for Franklin will be scorching.

With the Blue/White game coming up in a couple weeks, let’s look at a position by position breakdown of this year’s team.

QUARTERBACK:

With the departure of Christian Hackenberg to the NFL the Nittany Lions have to replace the schools all-time leading passer. Is it Trace McSorley’s job to lose? Can Tommy Stevens or true freshman Jake Zembiec come in and take over? Most people feel it’s McSorley’s to lose because he’s been around for two full seasons and is the only one with playing time. The redshirt sophomore filled in admirably in Penn State’s bowl game against Georgia when Hackenberg left with injury throwing for 142 yards on 14/27 passing and 2 touchdowns. For the system that James Franklin wants to run it seems that McSorley is the right fit, but we’ll see how the spring and summer plays out.

• Trace McSorley: 6’0’, 199
• Tommy Stevens: 6’4”, 217
• Jake Zembiec: 6’3”, 203

RUNNING BACK:

This is the easiest one in predicting the position. Sophomore Saquon Barkley is the man, and in more ways than one. He’s going to be called on carry the load and could see the ball 20-25 total times in a game, not only because they might have to, but because he’s that good. Behind Barkley there is no shortage of talent. A lot of which we haven’t seen yet. Mark Allen filled in along with Nick Scott (who moved to cornerback) when Barkley and Akeel Lynch were out with injuries. Redshirt freshman Andre Robinson looks to get some playing time but it appears he might have to compete with incoming star recruit Miles Sanders who is bringing a lot of hype. The good thing about having this many running backs is that you don’t have to wear down Barkley and can keep him fresh for when it matters most and Big Ten play picks up.

• Saquon Barkley: 5’11”, 222
• Andre Robinson: 5’9”, 203
• Johnathan Thomas: 5’11”, 217
• Mark Allen: 5’6”, 180
• Miles Sanders: 5’11, 199

WIDE RECEIVER:

This is another position that doesn’t need much attention. The receiving core for the Nittany Lions can go 6 or 7 deep. At the head of the list are some All-Big Ten receivers in Daesean Hamilton and Chris Godwin. Behind them is a list of young names who look to be big time contributors this season. Saeed Blacknall is the next guy behind Hamilton and Godwin who will be a go to target for whoever is lining up under center. Those are three very solid receivers who can produce both in the short yardage passing game and can stretch the field deep. Some other names to keep an eye on as the spring and summer heat up are speedsters Brandon Polk and DeAndre Thompkins. Thompkins was primarily a punt returner last year but struggled with that position with some drops but given his speed and ability to be used a decoy he could provide a spark offensively. Behind all of them are two big receivers who could provide serious matchup problems not only in the redzone, but the entire field; Juwan Johnson and Irvin Charles (both 6’4”, 220) are big bodies that Penn State hasn’t had in a while so look for one, if not both, to get their chance to help the offense.

• Daesean Hamilton: 6’1”, 214
• Chris Godwin: 6’1”, 208
• Saeed Blacknall: 6’3”, 213
• DeAndre Thompkins: 5’11”, 192
• Brandon Polk: 5’9”, 167
• Juwan Johnson: 6’4”, 220
• Irvin Charles: 6’4”, 220

TIGHT END:

This is a position for Penn State that is typically very solid and very consistent. Last season was a little bit of a down year with Kyle Carter leading the way with only 14 catches for 135 yards. In total the tight ends had 33 catches for 299 yards and 1 touchdown. Junior Mike Gesicki will be the go-to target and if he can limit the drops from last season he should serve as a very strong receiver. Gesicki will be the biggest target for Penn State at 6’6”, 250 pounds, he’ll be called upon to be the Rob Gronkowski of Penn State. Brent Wilkerson and Nick Bowers are two other names to keep an eye on to help out with Gesicki. With the uncertainty at quarterback and the likelihood the offense will be run heavy to start the season these tight ends will have to be better blockers than receivers.

• Mike Gesicki: 6’6”, 250
• Brent Wilkerson: 6’3”, 243
• Nick Bowers: 6’4”, 265
• Tom Pancoast: 6’3”, 232

OFFENSIVE LINE:

This is the biggest question revolving around Penn State football coming into the 2016 season. It’s been the biggest question the last two seasons having give up 83 sacks. If the Nittany Lions want to have any type of success in 2016 it all starts up front with a group that will have to be much, much better than 2015. With new coach Matt Limegrover taking over for Herb Hand the Penn State faithful are hoping for better results than who has the best pizza in State College. The lineup of Angelo Mangiro (C), Brian Gaia (G), Derek Dowrey (G), Andrew Nelson (T), and Paris Palmer (T) did their best throughout the season but that best gave up 39 sacks including 10 in the first game of the season to Temple. The let tackle position will be the most important when it comes to giving the starting quarterback some confidence knowing he won’t have to look over his shoulder to see who is baring down on him. The question remains however, is Paris Palmer finally ready to be the left tackle we need? Is he finally past being a junior college transfer and onto a Big Ten starting left tackle? Or is someone else going to step up? Andrew Nelson stepped into the starting role a couple times for Palmer before injuries set him back. Names like Sterling Jenkins come up when the coaching staff talks about guys who can potentially step in and anchor that left side. Regardless of what the starting five is up front, they’re going to have to be physical and set the tone for the season.

• Paris Palmer: 6’7”, 302
• Andrew Nelson: 6’6”, 299
• Brendan Mahon: 6’4”, 316
• Noah Beh: 6’6”, 286
• Sterling Jenkins: 6’8”, 327
• Chance Sorrell: 6’5”, 293
• Steven Gonzales: 6’4”, 339
• Ryan Bates: 6’4”, 301
• Brendan Gaia: 6’3”, 286
• Connor McGovern: 6’6”, 305
• Chasz Wright: 6’7”, 343