The 2024 Penn State Nittany Lions football team have high expectations with the new 12-team playoff as the ultimate goal. Plenty of eyes will be on the offense, and whether or not quarterback Drew Allar can take that next step forward. Yet while the eyes are on the offense, don’t sleep on the defense.
Penn State’s defensive unit has a chance to make plenty of noise this season, This is especially true up front, as the Nittany Lions bring a linebacker down to the trenches. Let’s check out some of the players at all three levels to get a bit of a closer look at James Franklin’s defense.
Defensive line
The highlight of the defensive line is junior Abdul Carter moving from linebacker to defensive end. It’s a move that Carter wanted, and one that can elevate his game. Carter has 11 sacks in two seasons, and that ability to generate pressure was made this move a no brainer. Moving down to the line, with his explosiveness, gives him a chance to make even more of an impact on the game than he already has.
Meanwhile, junior Dani Dennis-Sutton will also get his chance to be showcased this season with Adisa Isaac and Chop Robinson both off to the NFL. Dennis-Sutton recorded 3.5 sacks in 2023 but is now in a position to breakthrough as offensive lines also have to account for Carter’s athleticism on the other side.
Redshirt senior Zuriah Fisher (3.5 sacks) and senior Amin Vanover (1.5 sacks) will also be in the mix on the edge as Penn State works through their rotations up front.
Along the interior, junior Zane Durant (17 tackles, two sacks) and redshirt senior Dvon J-Thomas (26 tackles, one sack) are in position to lead the charge with redshirt senior Hakeem Beamon (11 tackles, one sack) and senior Coziah Izzard (16 tackles, three sacks) also in the rotation.
Linebacker
With Carter moving to the defensive line, the trio in the middle of the defense looks to be redshirt junior Dominic DeLuca, redshirt junior Kobe King and sophomore Tony Rojas. King was the second-leading tackler for the Penn State football team in 2023 with 59, behind only safety Kevin Winston Jr. As the middle linebacker, King is going to be one of the leaders of the Penn State defense in all facets.
DeLuca is a Pennsylvania prospect with a lot to like. He played his high school football at Wyoming Area High School in northeastern Pennsylvania. DeLuca was part of the Warriors’ 2019 state championship team. He has made his mark on defense over the last two seasons, tallying 29 tackles in each year. While DeLuca may not be flashy, but he’s gritty and gets the job done.
Rojas is another player to watch for the Nittany Lions. By many accounts, he is a star in the making; and he will get his chance to become that star with Carter dropping down to the trenches. Rojas was in a backup role last season but showed major flashes of potential when he did get on the field. Now is the time for that potential to really start seeping out.
Redshirt freshman Ta’Mere Robinson, senior Tyler Elsdon and redshirt freshman Kaveion Keys will among the top reserves at the position.
Defensive backs
When it comes to the secondary for Penn State, the conversation starts and ends with the aforementioned safety, Winston Jr.
Winston led the Lions with 60 tackles in 2023, including 35 solo tackles. He also had five passes defended and one interception to go along with two fumble recoveries. Winston will not only be a leader in the secondary, but a leader on defense and on the entire team.
Senior nickelback Jaylen Reed was also among the top five in tackles for Penn State last season with 46. Reed gives the Lions plenty of experience in the secondary.
Winston’s running mate at safety looks to be redshirt junior Zakee Wheatley. Wheatley appeared in 13 games last season, recording 24 tackles (14 solo). But Winston and Wheatley aren’t alone.
Cam Miller (24 tackles, one interception) will man one of the team’s corner spot. A new face to the program, sophomore A.J. Harris, will likely be on the other side. Harris comes over from Georgia, where he appeared in seven games and recorded eight tackles for the Bulldogs.
Another former Bulldog also joins the Penn State football team this season.
Jalen Kimber comes over after splitting his first four years between Georgia (2020-21) and Florida (2022-23). Redshirt freshmen DaKaari Nelson and Lamont Payne Jr. and redshirt sophomore Audavion Collins are also in the mix.
The Nittany Lions secondary has a great mix of veteran presence, with incoming transfers and underclassmen shoring up much-needed depth.
