Former Penn State linemen sees a few Nittany Lions primed for a big year on defense

Penn State football must replace three defensive line starters before the 2022 season kicks off at Purdue on Sept. 1.

A couple of former Nittany Lions have a few candidates in mind who could do exactly that.

Jesse Luketa had the option of returning for a final season at Penn State thanks to the free bonus year given to all athletes by the NCAA because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, he decided with his family that it was time to move on and chase his dream of playing in the NFL.

It leaves a gaping hole, as other 2021 end starter Arnold Ebiketie plus defensive tackle Derrick Tangelo are doing the same. Who will help replace them?

The answer comes, at least in part, from a pair of players who sat out most or all of 2021.

“I’d say, Adisa Isaac,” Luketa said. “We already know about Smith Vilbert with the performance he had in the Outback Bowl. But Adisa, he’s kind of a little bit forgotten about because of his injury.

“Adisa Isaac is someone who I know is going to take the whole conference by force. I’m excited for him.”

Isaac is one of two Nittany Lion defensive lineman back in action

Isaac suffered an injury while away from Penn State last spring that caused him to miss the entire season. He was back at the first spring practice, however. Defensive tackle Hakeem Beamon was, too, after sitting out most of 2021 due to an undisclosed matter.

“I really feel like he learned, like, he can really do it,” defensive tackle Derrick Tangelo said. “He’s kind of an undersized guy, but he’s really explosive. He’s really fast on the ball.

“I really feel like he just honed in on his technique. I see the growth and development and the confidence in him. So I’m looking forward to big things for Hakeem for sure.”

Isaac and Beamon are two big pieces to the Penn State defensive line puzzle. Head coach James Franklin made that clear last week.

“I think both of those guys have a chance to be impactful and are both special players,” he said. “I think everybody in this room was really excited about Adisa Isaac and what he was going to do last year. That was a significant loss for different reasons from a physical perspective. We anticipate him being able to do a lot this spring. I wouldn’t say 100 percent but close to it. That will be really important for us. Adisa has a chance to be an impact player for us, and I think he’s got a very, very bright future and long future.

“Then Hakeem, as we all know, we’ve seen tremendous things from Hakeem. I’m proud of Hakeem. He’s really growing up and maturing. I try to hug him and love on him as much as I possibly can, but it’s also one of those fine lines, too, because I want to make sure that Hakeem stays on the trajectory that he’s on right now.”

Shaping up the Penn State defensive line in spring

They aren’t the only ones who will help replace the lost production, though.

Penn State has PJ Mustipher back at defensive tackle, and he will start after missing the second half of last season due to injury. Coziah Izzard and D’Von Ellies also plan to have a role inside. Fatorma Mulbah and Jordan van den Berg want to increase their playing time, as well.

“I definitely feel like [Izzard] showed himself and grew himself, and he’s grew into his own,” Tangelo said. “He was kind of like a quiet kid, but he knew how to play.

“Once he was forced to step into the spotlight and be more vocal and stuff like that, I definitely feel like he learned how to be an on-the-field leader as well. So I think things are going ahead for him.”

Isaac, then, will be joined at end by the likes of Nick Tarburton, Amin Vanover, Zuriah Fisher, and Rodney McGraw Jr., among others. Don’t rule out a possible transfer portal addition, either, after spring practice.

All told, Penn State is excited about the talent it has along the defensive line. And, a couple of former players help make it easy to understand why that is the case as spring practice continues.