Penn State safeties coach Anthony Poindexter talks King Mack, Ohio State offense, and more

Penn State safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter has spent plenty of time coaching in the Big Ten. Because of it, he’s fairly familiar with Ohio State. This year’s version of the Buckeyes attack under the director of head coach Ryan Day and first-year starting quarterback Kyle McCord features weapons across the field. But, there is doubt about which running backs will be healthy enough to play. And, star receiver Emeka Egbuka may be out, too. What does it all mean to the No. 7 Nittany Lions as they finish preparing for a clash with the No. 3 Buckeyes at Noon ET Saturday on FOX?

“They’ve been doing it for so long,” Poindexter said. “Coach [Ryan] Day has a great program. They have a system that they run. And, they have great players. Each year you’re going to defend them, you know you’ll have your work cut out for you trying to keep the points down.”

Poindexter also reflected on a talented receiver who will definitely suit up in scarlet and grey against Penn State on Saturday: future first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr.

“Obviously his size and his speed [make him special], but when you watch him play, he has a plan of how he attacks DBs,” Poindexter said. “Some receivers try to change it up and be something they’re not. He sticks to his game plan. He’s done it for several years. Every game you watch, he’s the same guy. And, he always plays hard and competes. He’s a special player.”

Here’s more of what Poindexter had to say on Thursday.

On the Lions’ four man safety rotation

Poindexter started out by discussing the group’s play as a whole and the leaders within the room.

“I think it’s going well,” he said. “What has stood out to me in that, they are all unselfish. They play off and feed off each other and encourage each other. And, they’re doing a nice job right now. I think they all lead in different ways. Keaton [Elllis is] a captain. He’s the older one of the group. Jaylen Reed leads in his mannor because of his experience. Zakee [Wheatley] has some leadership qualities that he brings to the table. And, as Kevin “KJ” [Winston] is getting more and more time, you can start to see what kind of leader he can be in the future.”

Asked to elaborate on Reed, Poindexter said:

“What I’ve seen from his is the way he processes the game plan. He’s always been a smart player. That allowed him to play early. He’s probably the best communicator we have as far as knowing what both safeties and the people in front of him have to do. The calmness he plays with, that’s what he bring to us. He makes the plays when they come to him. He’s not pressing to go make plays. He’s playing within the structure of the defense. And he’s nice job.”

Later asked to discuss Winston, the Penn State assistant added:

“This kid, he’s started to come on last year, and he made the jump that you would think he’d make. You can see this kid getting better and better. He’s starting to feel comfortable out there. No one outworks him. He’s just doing a really, really nice job.”

Poindexter on the pair of Penn State freshmen safeties

King Mack, a former four-star from Florida, has already burned his redshirt. What has Poindexter seen from him?

“It probably exceeded what I hoped for,” Poindexter said. “We knew he was fast and a twitchy type kid. I just didn’t know he was this tough. He’s a tough tackler. He has a magnetic personality. He understands his role and what he needs to learn. He’s been more than what I really expected.”

DaKaari Nelson, who also signed in the Class of 2023, will redshirt this year, barring injury. But, Poindexter likes what he has seen from the first-year Penn State player, too.

“I just think DaKaari just keeps getting better,” Poindexter said. “Coming from Alabama, he went to a very small school. I think it was big when he first got here. But the last three or four weeks, he’s starting to come into his own. He’s doing a really nice job. I’m really excited about his future.”

Final word

Poindexter on the message to his safeties room this week:

“It’s just, each week we go 1-0 and then move onto the next opponent. We just have to be us. We don’t have to do something magical. Just play our game the way we play and we’ll be fine.”