Assessing Penn State options at linebacker for the Outback Bowl after two starters opt out
Prior to last Friday, Penn State had not been affected by opt-outs for a bowl game in the James Franklin era.
Now, the Nittany Lions will be down at least two starters when they face Arkansas in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day in Tampa.
Outside linebacker Brandon Smith announced his plan to not play in the postseason last Friday. Then, middle linebacker Ellis Brooks did the same on Monday.
While they were the first announcements, they may not be the last. Arkansas has seen a pair of stars make similar decisions since the matchup was set. But, regardless, the first two for the game’s Big Ten side leave Franklin, interim defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter, and the rest of the coaching staff with tough decisions to make prior to kickoff. Then, they have to hope whatever they decide to do holds up during the game.
“It’s really still kind of a moving target,” Franklin said last week. “A lot of conversations going on right now; really has been since the last game at Michigan State, obviously, so we’ll see how that plays out.
“But as you see this across college football, this is going on, so we’ll see how it goes, but they’re still ongoing conversations.”
Who will Penn State start at linebacker in the Outback Bowl?
With Smith and Brooks out, the only starter that remains is Curtis Jacobs. There is no reason to believe he won’t play against the Razorbacks.
Penn State could go a couple of ways when the first-team defense takes the field for the first time.
One would see Jesse Luketa man the middle while Jonathan Sutherland bumps up from safety to an outside linebacker spot. We’ve seen that before when Jacobs missed time earlier this year.
Another option would be to have Charlie Katshir play the WILL spot while Jacobs stays at SAM and Luketa takes over for Brooks at the MIKE.
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Finally, Franklin and Poindexter could also elect to just play mostly a 4-2-5 scheme with Katshir and Jacobs as the only linebackers on the field. That would free up Luketa to stay at the end spot he’s thrived for most of the game.
Expect to see lots of Tyler Elsdon, too. It’s more likely than not that he comes on as a reserve as opposed to starting. But, it wouldn’t be wise to rule anything out.
What will the Lions do with Buddin and King?
The two opt-outs could change what appears to have been a season-long plan for a pair of first-year linebackers.
Penn State played Jamari Buddin and Kobe King in four games apiece. That means both enter the bowl game with a year of eligibility retained. However, if either plays on special teams or defense, that will no longer be the case.
It leaves the Lions in an unenviable situation. But, it’s also one they had to know was coming. Is it better to preserve at least one player’s redshirt while preparing the other to play? Or, should both be expected to sit? Option three would be to just have both take snaps. If they’re as good as many think they can be, they probably won’t spend five years in blue and white regardless.
Ultimately, Penn State will probably enter the game with both ready to play while hoping that neither has to. But, injury and/or circumstance could change that quickly.
ESPN2 will televise the Outback Bowl. Kickoff is set for Noon ET.
