Penn State has top five defensive line, linebacker, corners groups in nation, On3 says
The Penn State defense is expected to be among the nation’s best in 2023. It should come as no surprise, then, that all three levels of second-year coordinator Manny Diaz’s unit are highly regarded individually.
On3 national college football columnist Jesse Simonton has been busy ranking position groups this spring. Starting up front, he calls the Nittany Lions’ defensive line the No. 4 group in the country months before preseason camp begins.
“Despite losing top cornerback Joey Porter Jr., Penn State might have a Top 5 defense in the country in 2023. Its defensive line/edge unit is a major reason why,” Simonton writes. “The Nittany Lions, which led the Big Ten in sacks in 2022, boast a defensive line group of Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac at end.”
Second-year Nittany Lion Dani Dennis-Sutton will play a significant role, as well. And, first-year assistant Deion Barnes has plenty of depth.
In a separate piece, the Penn State linebackers check in at No. 3 overall in the sport. Simonton sums Manny Diaz’s unit up like this:
Top 10
- 1Hot
Rick Pitino
Calling out young people, quitting coaches
- 2
ESPN called out over CFP
Employee of ESPN calls out greed
- 3
Calipari calls out team
'We had 3 or 4 guys no show' vs. Vols
- 4
Isaiah Neyor withdraws
Huskers WR withdraws after Louisville signing
- 5
Cam Newton
Doubling down on Notre Dame doubt
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“The Nittany Lions have one of the most exciting inside linebackers in America in Abdul Carter, a 6-3, 235-pound missile who reminded some PSU fans of former star Micah Parsons in 2022. As a freshman, Carter ranked No. 2 on the team in sacks (6.5) and TFLs (10.5) and added a bunch of other impact plays with QB hurries, forced fumbles and PBUs. He’s flanked alongside Curtis Jacobs and Kobe King.
“Penn State isn’t lacking a nice mixture of veteran and youthful depth either. Top 100 freshman Tony Rojas looks to crack the rotation.”
More: Ranking Penn State’s position groups heading into summer
Last but not least, the cornerbacks checked in at No. 5.
“With opposing passing attacks not wanting to challenge Joey Porter Jr. last season, Nittany Lions CB2 Kalen King led the Big Ten with 21 passes defended,” Simonton writes. “Now CB1, King is the next future high NFL Draft pick and projects as a preseason All-American. Opposite of King is senior Johnny Dixon. [He] has played a lot at both corner and nickel the last few seasons, picking off two passes in 2022. Senior Daequan Hardy is the projected starter at nickel.”
Penn State opens the 2023 season against West Virginia. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET. NBC will televise the non-conference contest.
