Penn State defensive line coach John Scott Jr., talks freshmen, PJ Mustipher, Adisa Isaac, Chop Robinson, more

Penn State defensive line coach John Scott Jr., was on the line with reporters Thursday to discuss his position group before the Lions’ Week 4 matchup with Central Michigan.

An opening stretch of two games with quick passing offensive attacks did not allow this unit to shine. But, it showed up in a big way during Penn State’s 41-12 blowout win over Auburn.

Where is the group now entering the final game of September?

“I do feel like we’re on track to be what we want to be and play the style of football that we want to play,” Scott Jr. said. “It’s been great having a vet like PJ [Mustipher] and Nick [Tarburton], who have been in the trenches and been in those battles, who are helping lead some of the younger guys that are in different roles and that are coming in and contributing. It’s been great.

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“Those guys are kind of leading the charge for us, showing them the way, and showing them how. I think that’s really helped our group, [and] I do feel like as we continue to practice and get even more comfortable with what we’re doing. I do think the group’s best football is ahead.”

Scott Jr., covered much during his 20-minute Q&A; read more below.

Spotlighting Chop Robinson

Chop Robinson has been a pleasant surprise along the Penn State defensive line during the start of the season. Formerly a linebacker, the transfer has quickly taken to his new position and is quickly becoming one of the Lions’ better pass rushers.

“We’re extremely excited and pleased that Chop is with us,” Scott Jr. said. “Three games in, he’s done a really good job of just coming out and providing the support that we need. We knew coming in that one of his great qualities, even coming out of high school, was that he has the potential to be a really good edge rusher. He showed flashes of that at Maryland.

“It carried over to spring football and into fall camp. Now, that’s manifesting itself on his tape this fall. Through games, he’s done a really nice job with that. It’s been a very exciting sport to our defense. It’s been a pleasure to have the young man part of our team. If you know Chop at all, he’s a great person. He’s fun to coach. I’m so glad he’s with us.”

An update on the Penn State freshmen

Penn State was hopeful that Zane Durant and Dani Dennis-Sutton could have a role during their first season. So far, the former has seen a bit more time than the latter. But, both have flashed enough to remind anyone watching why they were so highly regarded as recruits.

“Dani’s been a guy that’s come in from day one and has always been trying to find time to get extra work,” Scott Jr. said. “Dani’s work ethic is incredible. It’s one of those work ethics that you talk about that just not the average person has. He has really worked at it. He has really gotten a grasp of some pass rush stuff that he’s really good at. And, he’s taken that to heart and he works at it every day. He’s becoming more and more comfortable in there.

“And, he’s playing more and more valuable minutes and he definitely gives us a lot. He’s a good rusher already for a young guy, and he continues to get better in the run game. I’m really pleased about where he’s at right now too. Because you never know during the season when that roll could change. I think that he is really doing a nice job for us. He’s helping us this year already.”

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On Durant, Scott Jr. praised his ability to learn how to play defensive tackle at Penn State in an effective way during his first three games.

“He has gotten better in practice, just with his hands, his eyes and understanding, and being able to anticipate,” Scott Jr., said. “Because for a young guy, that’s one of the hardest things to do, especially if you haven’t really played inside, is to be able to anticipate the blocking schemes and what’s going to happen.

“From that standpoint, in a lot of ways, it’s slowing down for him, which is allowing him to play faster. I’ve been very pleased with his progression on learning how to play college defensive tackle at a major program. As we continue to go along, you’re only going to see this guy continue to ascend and skyrocket. I’ve been pleased with his development. He keeps getting better and better and better.”

Hitting on the three returners

Penn State has three defensive linemen back that it didn’t have during all and/or the entire season a year ago. PJ Mustipher is back after suffering a midseason injury during the 2021 season. Adisa Isaac returns after missing all of last season due to an injury. And, Hakeem Beamon is playing against after sitting out most of 2021 for undisclosed off-field reasons.

Scott Jr. was asked to address Mustipher and Isaac first during his news conference.

“Both of those guys are coming off from injuries,” Scott Jr. said. “I think both of those young men are doing a really, really good job for us. The thing that you’re going to continue to see, as those guys continue to play themselves back to form like they were, because anytime you miss that amount of football with that, that’s all those reps you miss, you know, you miss those reps you miss, you know, certain conditioning and all that kind of things that come with that it’s all encompassed, it takes a little while to knock the rust off.

“And, I think you’re starting to see that.”

On Beamon, Scott Jr., said:

“He’s really quick. And, he’s hard to handle one on one. So, I’ve been very pleased with how he’s progressing. Hakeem’s another guy that hasn’t played a whole lot of ball. So I think the more ball that he plays, he will continue to get better and continue to be more dominant. And I’m excited about that as well.”