Penn State Prototype: Building an ideal Nittany Lion SAM Linebacker

We’re studying Penn State’s offense and defense this offseason to understand positional needs better heading into spring football. Previously, we took a look at the offensive line to understand what the Nittany Lions need. This knowledge allows us to better fit players at the right positions in our projections. This week we’ll be taking a look at linebacker.

While there are physical dimensions and positional skills needed to fulfill each position, linebacker is harder to define. It’s probably easier to describe each position by the responsibilities rather than their traits. The offensive and defensive lines are pretty set in their matchups, so their physical skills are more concrete. On the other hand, skill position players interact with different positions on every play, and there is a greater latitude of body types and talents that succeed. We’ll be starting with the SAM linebacker position with that in mind.

Ideal Measurements

Height 6-1 to 6-4
Weight: 225-240 lbs
Arm length: 32+ inches

Penn State SAM linebacker Responsibilities

The tricky part about the SAM linebacker position is that it sometimes doesn’t exist. The spread offense has become the predominant system of offense on the college football level and is quickly becoming the norm in the NFL. As that has happened, the need for three linebackers on the field has almost vanished. As a result, teams that still use three linebackers in a traditional, four-down lineman front don’t have a true SAM linebacker either.

The job of the SAM linebacker in most systems, including Penn State’s, is to guard the broad side of the football field. In college, that is exaggerated by wider hashes, making it a target for space and speed. However, SAMs are equally responsible for guarding bubble screens in three-receiver sets as they are filling holes in the run game.

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This position literally and figuratively splits the difference. SAMs typically line up outside the box somewhere over the innermost receiver in the formation. In addition, they will have a gap responsibility in run defense. This position either sets the edge of the defense or fills the B gap, just inside the defensive end. But, of course, these are gross generalities that don’t encompass the full breadth of the position.

Physical Skills

Because of this, Penn State’s SAM linebacker has to have safety-like skills while still maintaining linebacker size. Ideally, bigger, faster stronger is exemplified at linebacker. Having three players around 245 pounds who all run a 4.40s is “ideal”.

In the real world, you have to find a middle ground. While being ‘undersized,’ a 230-pound linebacker who can run somewhere in the 4.50’s and has coverage skills is the ideal player for the position. The Nittany Lions run zone schemes primarily with three linebackers on the field, so the SAM is responsible for roughly the hash to the sideline depending on the system. That’s why speed isn’t enough. Coverage instincts, born from film study and an understanding of routes, are also necessary to play the position at a high level.

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Part-Time Starter?

How you bridge the gap that the spread offense creates determines if your team has two linebackers on the field or three. In some systems, a third safety replaces the SAM. This player will rotate from the secondary or line up over a receiver to cover the same ground. In other systems, the run defense comes from a hybrid defensive end. That player splits the difference differently, rushing and covering from the defensive line.

No matter how you slice it, this position is more about how you make your defense whole than it is about the player filling the role. Penn State has preferred playing with three linebackers under James Franklin rather than finding a different solution.

Franklin has also shown that he’s willing to start players at SAM and then move them to other positions as they develop. The reason is that even if your SAM is a starter, they still share coverage roles with the slot corner of slot safety on third down. That’s why SAM is an excellent introductory role to the defense.

Penn State SAM linebackers

Jamari Buddin, Charlie Katshir, Curtis Jacbos, Abdul Carter

Note: While Franklin has said that Jonathan Sutherland will play linebacker, he is still listed as a safety on the official roster.

That list is much thinner than it looks. Buddin is likely to see the lion’s share of the reps for Penn State next season. Katshir is a veteran backup who splits time between all three positions, primarily the WILL and SAM. He struggled last season when playing in the box and might be better as a SAM only.

It seems that Jacobs is moving to the WILL linebacker position next season after spending his first two on the edge of the box. Carter is a jumbo-sized player with the speed and skill to play in space but may still need time to learn the position. However, his coverage instincts from high school primarily come from the box, so there’s some projection with his abilities to execute the assignment.

Franklin mentioned earlier this offseason that his team was looking to pick up a linebacker in the portal. Adding another SAM would be a good place to start.