Penn State Prototype: Building an ideal Nittany Lion WILL Linebacker

We’re studying Penn State’s offense and defense this offseason to understand positional needs better heading into spring football. We examined the SAM linebacker earlier this week to know how the Nittany Lions incorporates that position into their defense. So, today we’ll look at the WILL linebacker position.

While there are physical dimensions and positional skills needed to fulfill each role, linebacker is best described by their assignments rather than their traits. So, we’ll briefly discuss the physical characteristics of the position before diving into the skills and tools needed to play the part.

Ideal Measurements

Height 6-1 to 6-4
Weight: 210-245 lbs
Arm length: 32+ inches

If you’ve been following along with this series of articles, you’ll see that the ideal measurements for a WILL linebacker are nearly identical to that of the SAM in Penn State’s system. There are several reasons for that. The first is that the spread offense has eliminated the difference between linebacker responsibilities outside of the MIKE. WILLs and SAMs each need to run, cover and hit.

Linebacker Evolution

Traditionally, the SAM linebacker, or strongside linebacker, lined up on the tight end’s side and took on blockers at the point of attack. Then on passing downs, they covered the tight end, which was an eligible tackle. Fast forward 25-ish years, fullbacks have disappeared, and tight ends are hybrid monsters lining up in space. Without the SAM, or at least with a new version of the SAM, it changes the responsibilities of the two other linebacker positions.

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Historically, the WILL linebacker is the speed and coverage position with explosive, fast athletes chasing down plays from behind. Their job was to clean up tackles after the SAM and MIKE had blown up lead blockers. Elements of that still exist, but with so few players left in the box, WILL Linebackers now need to carry their water in run defense. Some teams still have more undersized linebackers, but at Penn State, the Nittany Lions have traditionally put bigger, more physically imposing players at the WILL.

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Previous Penn State WILL Linebackers

Brandon Bell – 6-1, 238
Koa Farmer 6-1, 230
Micah Parsons 6-3, 240
Brandon Smith 6-3, 241

While there have been some deviations (Lance Dixon after Parsons opted out), Penn State has put their best, most experienced athlete at WILL. These players’ reach extends over 31 inches and weighs 230 pounds or more. The reality is that the WILL is one of two ‘box’ linebackers lining up inside the tackles. The emphasis on passing keeps safeties deeper and the SAM out in space. That means that defenses need to stop the run with fewer resources, and the WILL has responded in kind.

Skills, Traits and Responsibilities

That doesn’t mean that instincts, chase ability, and elite-athletic traits still aren’t the hallmark of this position. The prototypes here are players with 4.5 to 4.4 speed and ‘freakish’ athleticism. The ability to knife into the backfield on the backside of runs or to beat lineman to the point of attack is still a valued skill for WILL linebackers. In other words, make plays.

Unlike the SAM, Penn State keeps the WILL linebacker on the field in almost all passing situations. In general terms, the WILL is responsible for the second receiver on the field’s short (boundary) side. That can be a tight end in the slot or a running back out of the backfield. With that in mind, this player still needs the speed and coverage ability to match up in man schemes and the awareness to play zone.

Potential Penn State WILL Linebackers

Curtis Jacobs
Tyler Elsdon
Charlie Katshir

Realistically this list is longer than it needs to be. Curtis Jacobs is the next in line at the WILL linebacker position for Penn State. His safety-like coverage skills and physicality for his size make him a great fit. First, however, he’ll need to show he has the strength to play through contact, which has troubled some of Penn State’s WILLs as they’ve transitioned from SAM in the past.

Because the SAM and WILL share similar traits, Katshir has been the primary backup at both positions in his career. He struggles as a genuine box linebacker, but for a spell player, he’s adequate. The wildcard on this list is Elsdon. Elsdon is probably a true MIKE player for the Nittany Lions, but this list is short. Elsdon doesn’t quite have the visible speed to play in space, but he’s quick and explosive out of his stance. If one player had to play WILL in an emergency, it might be Elsdon.

When we look at Penn State’s need for transfer players, WILL would not be on the list unless Jacobs were to stay at SAM. The third-year linebacker is the only locked-in starter among the three positions. Depth would be helpful, but that may be a wish more than a fillable need.