Deion Barnes takeaways: On freshman Max Granville's progress, Abdul Carter's evolution at defensive end, and more

When Penn State moved All-Big Ten linebacker Abdul Carter to defensive end this offseason, it did so for two primary reasons: One, the junior wanted to move up to the first line of the defense, but two, the Lions’ coaching staff thought he could be best utilized and most impactful by playing mostly with his hand in the dirt presnap while retaining the ability to impact plays while standing up as he did during his first two seasons in State College. So far, it has worked as anticipated.

Throughout a 6-0 start, Carter’s 27 tackles put him on pace to go well beyond the 48 he had a year ago. And, as logic might indicate, he already has more tackles for loss (9.5 to 5.5) year over year and is a half sack away from eclipsing last season’s total of 4.5. The Philadelphia native had 16 missed tackles a year ago, nine of which came over the team’s first six games, per Pro Football Focus. That number currently sits at just two. And, his 13 quarterback hurries already double up his six from a year ago.

Again, lots of that can be tied to the position he plays not. But, not all of it, and overall, it’s a sign that the plan is working and that progress is being made.

Penn State-Wisconsin Predictions: Lions look to stay unbeaten following bye week

“It’s just more game reps,” Barnes said. “With more game reps, he’s starting to see things a little bit faster. The game slows down for you. He’s able to make plays that in the beginning of the season you didn’t see him making.

“I just think it’s the game reps. It’s the practice reps. It’s him seeing it and also the film study. It’s all clicking in his brain. He’s done a good job. The biggest thing people want to talk about a lot is the running game. He does a great job here. He has a lot of tackles for losses. That ain’t just coming from him (verb missing). It’s coming from him striking guys and getting off them. I think he’s doing a good job in that part.”

Barnes talks Max Granville’s development

Freshman defensive end Max Granville is off to a fast start. After reclassifying to the Class of 2024 days before preseason camp started, he quickly flashed in pads on a college practice field despite the fact that he could still be a high school senior. The Texas native has only improved from there. He’s made both travel rosters so far and projects to make his third when the Lions trek to Wisconsin this weekend.

“What impressed me is that, coming out here, he’s just playing wreckless,” Barnes said. “It’s a violent game, and he comes out here and plays as violent as he possibly can. He plays fast. He jumps off that ball quickly, using his assets to his best ability. He’s also smart enough to pick up his playbook in his first year. So, I think he’s doing all the things to prepare himself to be able to, when his time comes, he’s going to be ready. So I think he’s come with a great mindset, as far as I’m just going to control what I can control, and that’s what he’s been doing.”

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Junior teammate Dani Dennis-Sutton referred to Granville as Chop 2.0 earlier this year, referring, of course, to first-round pick Chop Robinson. Is that fair in the mind of the assistant who coached both of them?

“You can see the similarities as far as the burst off the ball, the size, they look the same as far as like their build and everything,” Barns said. “It’s a lot to live up to. But I feel like Max, he got the ceiling for that. They got similar ways that they play football. So I definitely can see that. I won’t put all that on Max and those heavy expectations and whatever.

“But, I think Max, he is taking things day by day. He’s trying to do the best he can to control what he control. He has that ability. So, I can see what the Dani is talking about, As long as he is progressing and doing what he’s supposed to do, as he been doing, he’s been doing a good job, he got a bright future. So I can see exactly why Dani would say that.”

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