Can Penn State play with three safeties in 2025? Previewing the 11th-defender competition

ThomasFrankCarr

Dejuan Lane Penn State Football On3 — Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Logan Cunningham (31) and Penn State Nittany Lions safety Dejuan Lane (10) celebrate Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

No matter who Penn State head coach James Franklin hires as his next defensive coordinator, the schematic plans for the defensive scheme will hinge on the team's defensive personnel. The new defensive coordinator will undoubtedly bring a style or preference, but only foolish coaches try to force a player into a bad positional fit. So, before the new name is announced, let's spend some time reviewing the most fluid spot on the defensive roster: The nickel position.