Not yet named starter, Penn State LB Tyler Elsdon leads the way

Even last spring, Tyler Elsdon understood the prerequisites for manning the Mike linebacker job at Penn State. Competing to fill the vacancy left by veteran Ellis Brooks, he’d have to tick off two key boxes.

Physically, he’d needed to be faster, stronger, tougher, and more explosive. Those were all areas of priority for him in his first two years as a Nittany Lion, developing behind the scenes with very little on-field experience to go with it.

For Elsdon to win the job, though, more would need to take place concurrent to his physical improvements. Demanding the type of leadership that could only be built upon trust and established performance, Elsdon sought to soak up the knowledge gained by those around him.

“I think really the learning part really comes from the people I’ve played with before,” Elsdon told reporters in April. “Ellis and Jesse Luketa, they both played Mike at some point. Those guys really showed me the ropes, how to be a leader on the field. And then guys like PJ Mustipher, who is my roommate, too. He has talked to me about just being a leader on the field, being comfortable, and taking over on the field. All that, it’s helped me.”

Tyler Elsdon’s path to this point

As Penn State closes in on completing its third full week of preseason practices, with a season kickoff at Purdue set for Sept. 1, that sentiment has carried over in full.

Asked to update the position battle between Elsdon and second-year linebacker Kobe King, Penn State head coach James Franklin was unequivocal Wednesday afternoon. Though stopping short of pronouncing Elsdon the competition’s winner, Franklin acknowledged that he was ahead as a decision draws near.

“I think as you guys know, Elsdon and Kobe, that was going to be heated competition,” Franklin said. “I’d say right now, Elsdon is a little bit ahead of Kobe.”

The reasoning behind it aligned with Elsdon’s advantage through the spring.

Pointing to King’s comparative lack of experience, the level of comfort that has accompanied Elsdon’s time in the program has shown itself throughout the program’s August practices. 

“Kobe is still kind of figuring it all out,” Franklin said. “You gotta remember, he’s still a redshirt freshman, and that guy is basically the quarterback of the defense.”

Next steps

Embracing that notion, Elsdon has been working throughout the offseason to embody the role. 

Leaning on the influences of those around him, while growing into the position, it’s a set of qualities Elsdon is determined to bring to the field for the Nittany Lions this fall.

“Being a Mike linebacker, you got to be vocal,” Elsdon said this spring. “You got to be a dominant figure on the field, whether that’s physically, mentally, or emotionally. And I’ve embraced that. 

“I love being in a leadership role. I’m trying to grow as a leader. And I’m trying to gain more and more trust from the players. There’s guys that really showed me, just show up, be yourself, be a leader, be confident. And I’m using all that to play Mike linebacker.”

With some time still left before Penn State transitions from preseason camp into game-week mode, the effort isn’t yet concluded. 

But as Franklin evaluates the position moving forward, it’s an advantageous place to be. With Elsdon leading the way and King very much a relevant contributor on tap, the Nittany Lions will aim to keep the competition going through the season.

“(King) is gonna play in game one. There’s still time between now and the first game, before we actually name starters, (so) he’s still got time,” Franklin said. “But he’s gonna play a lot no matter what, and we’ll see where he’s at and the rest of the guys are, as well, as the season goes on.”