Penn State projected depth chart for Outback Bowl: New starters will be seen on both sides of the ball

Tampa, Fla. — Penn State meets Arkansas on Saturday in the Outback Bowl.

The Nittany Lions lineup will look much different than it has for the rest of the 2021 season.

Six starters have opted out of the New Year’s Day matchup with the Razorbacks to prepare for the NFL Draft. One offensive lineman who usually mans a first-team spot is unavailable, as well.

Thus, head coach James Franklin and his staff have a new puzzle to solve prior to kickoff. They must put together both a new starting lineup on both sides of the ball and also fill out their two-deep in a way they haven’t had to before.

“At the end of the day, the reality is you got to find a way to get it done. As one door closes, another door opens,” Franklin said earlier this week. “It’s an opportunity for another player. I think it’s also going to give us a really good kind of picture of what our future is going to be. Guys are going to get a bunch of reps in this game that maybe hadn’t throughout the season.

“There’s some challenges, no doubt about it. Our guys are excited. I think there’s also some tremendous leaders out there that we’re depending on, are going to need to step up for us, no doubt about it.”

Penn State did not release a depth chart in 2021 for competitive reasons. BWI has predicted what it could look like all season long, however, in an unofficial capacity. Here’s our final crack at it prior to kickoff at Raymond James Stadium.

Quarterback

Starter: No. 14 Sean Clifford 

Backup: No. 9 Christian Veilleux

Third-string: No. 17 Mason Stahl

The lowdown: These are the only three quarterbacks still on the roster. We saw all three here in the Sunshine State during a pair of open practices.

Running back

Starter: No. 24 Keyvone Lee

Backup: No. 21 Noah Cain 

Third-string: No. 28 Devyn Ford

The lowdown: Penn State could start Lee or Cain, but the former was their most productive back down the stretch. He’s also from Florida. Thus, we’re willing to bet he gets the nod.

Wide receiver

Wide receiver

Starter: No. 6 Cam Sullivan-Brown

Backup: No. 88 Malick Meiga

Wide Receiver

Starter: No 13 KeAndre Lambert-Smith

Backup: No. 88 Malick Meiga

Wide Receiver

Starter: No. 3 Parker Washington

Backup: No. 88 Malick Meiga

The lowdown: The Lions will be without Jahan Dotson, who opted out. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Meiga starts over Sullivan-Brown, but both should play plenty. We could end up seeing Marquis Wilson, Liam Clifford, and/or Harrison Wallace, as well.

Tight end

Starter: No. 86 Brenton Strange

Backup: No. 84 Theo Johnson

Third-string: No. 44 Tyler Warren

The lowdown: The Lions have had many changes in the leadup to their postseason matchup. Tight end is not one of them, however. This stays the same.

Penn State offensive line

Left Tackle

Starter: No. 74 Olu Fashanu

Backup: No. 58 Landon Tengwall

Left Guard

Starter No. 68 Eric Wilson

Backup: No. 72 Bryce Effner

Center

Starter: No. 70 Juice Scruggs

Backup: No. 73Mike Miranda OR No. 68 Eric Wilson

Right Guard

Starter: No. 73 Mike Miranda

Backup: No. 70 Juice Scruggs OR No. 72 Bryce Effner

Right Tackle

Starter: No. 79 Caedan Wallace

Backup: No. 72 Bryce Effner OR No. 58 Landon Tengwall

The lowdown: With Rasheed Walker out, Fashanu will draw his first start in blue and white. The odds also point to Scruggs starting at center and Miranda guard, but they could also rotate throughout the game. Expect Tengwall to see a handful of series, as well.

Discuss the Penn State projected depth chart inside The Lions Den forum with other fans.

Defensive line

Defensive End

Starter: No. 46 Nick Tarburton

Backup: No. 92 Smith Vilbert OR No. 36 Zuriah Fisher

Defensive Tackle

Starter: No. 99 Coziah Izzard

Backup: No. 56 Amin Vanover OR No. 55 Fatorma Mulbah OR No. 53 Fred Hansard

Defensive Tackle

Starter: No. 91 D’Von Ellies 

Backup: No. 56 Amin Vanover OR No. 55 Fatorma Mulbah OR No. 53 Fred Hansard

Defensive End

Starter: No. 92 Smith Vilbert

Backup: No. 36 Zuriah Fisher

The lowdown: Penn State is down a pair of starting ends as Arnold Ebiketie opted out while Jesse Luketa is expected to play mostly linebacker. The Lions also need another defensive tackle starter with Derrick Tangelo also sitting out. This is a group light on numbers and experience. Someone will need to step up in a big way.

Linebacker

WILL Linebacker

Starter: No. 23 Curtis Jacobs

No. 45 Charlie Katshir OR No. 43 Jamari Buddin

Middle Linebacker

Starter: No. 40 Jesse Luketa

Backup: No. 43 Tyler Elsdon OR No. 41 Kobe King

SAM Linebacker

Starter: No. 0 Jonathan Sutherland

Backup: No. 45 Charlie Katshir OR No. 43 Jamari Buddin

The lowdown: This is another spot with a big shuffle. Jacobs flips over to the weakside spot that Brandon Smith left vacant. Sutherland, then, bumps up to fill the strongside slot. Finally, Luketa will drop back to middle linebacker. Penn State will burn either King’s or Buddin’s redshirt, and maybe both.

Secondary

Corner

Starter: No. 5 Tariq Castro-Fields

Backup: No. 25 Daequan Hardy

Third-string: No. 3 Johnny Dixon OR No. 4 Kalen King

Safety

Starter: No. 16 Ji’Ayir Brown

Backup: No. 7 Jaylen Reed

Safety

Starter: No. 2 Keaton Ellis

Backup: No. 7 Jaylen Reed

Cornerback

Starter: No. 9 Joey Porter Jr.

Backup: No. 25 Daequan Hardy OR No. 4 Kalen King

Third-string: No. 3 Johnny Dixon

Starting slot corner

No. 25 Daequan Hardy

The lowdown: With no Jaquan Brisker, Ellis steps into a starting role. Expect to see tons of freshman Jaylen Reed, too. Penn State could be in worse shape here.

Penn State Special teams

Kicker: No. 98 Jordan Stout

Punter: No. 98 Jordan Stout

Kickoff specialist: No. 98 Jordan Stout

Punt returner: No. 5 Marquis Wilson

Kick returners: No. 24 Keyvone Lee OR No. 28 Devyn Ford OR No. 25 Daequan Hardy

The lowdown: Wilson is the only Lion to field a punt besides Dotson. And, it was only one. So, Penn State could go with Hardy or someone else there.