Skip to main content
penn-state logo

Penn State season preview of the defensive line: BWI Daily

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•08/02/22•

ThomasFrankCarr

On3 image
Penn State is counting on redshirt junior defensive end Adisa Isaac to return from an Achilles injury and provide consistent pass rush in the 2022 season. (Steve Manuel: BWI)

Penn State football is counting on several familiar faces returning from injury to power its defensive line for the 2022 season. But, with the addition of some exciting new faces, will this group hit the heights of their potential? Or will there be too many ‘ifs’ for this group to succeed? The BWI Daily edition tackles the Penn State defensive line in today’s season preview.

Injured Penn State players returning to key roles in 2022

Host Thomas Frank Carr and senior editor Nate Bauer start at the top with Penn State’s need to replace second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie’s production from last season. Additionally, senior defensive tackle PJ Mustipher is returning from injury. His timeline back to full strength is a key part of the equation. They discuss how likely it is that Mustipher and defensive end Adisa Isaac will play well this fall. Next, T-Frank introduces viewers to the starting defensive line, with even more questions outside of Isaac and Mustipher. Nick Tarburton returns to his role from last season, while Hakeem Beamon returns from a non-injury absence in 2021.

Next, T-Frank introduces the rest of the depth players and the new faces to the defensive line this fall. He asks Bauer how long it will take for Penn State’s starting defensive line to change from what it is now. Through that conversation, Bauer and T-Frank bring attention to Penn State’s depth players, such as Coziah Izzard and D’Von Ellies. Those to players struggled to fill in for Mustipher last season. Finally, the duo considers if things can lead to a more positive outcome this fall.

Can the new faces make an outsized impact?

Finally, they dive into the new players for Penn State. Five-star defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, transfer Chop Robinson, and freshman defensive tackle Zane Durant have impressed this offseason in one form or fashion. T-Frank and Bauer discuss the possibility of all of them playing meaningful roles in the fall.

Penn State Football Preseason Primer: Defensive Tackles

So many of the names are familiar among Penn State’s defensive tackles. That, in and of itself, is often a recipe for success in college football. 

More than most other positions, though, the group has significant asterisks to consider within that familiarity. And it starts right at the top of the depth chart.

What will Penn State’s defensive tackles bring to the table this season? We dissect the prominent storylines for the position as preseason practice gets under way for the Nittany Lions.

NoPlayerYRHTWTPFF Career Snaps
97PJ MustipherSr.+6-43211,296
91Dvon ElliesR-Jr.6-1302506
51Hakeem BeamonR-Jr.6-3261173
99Coziah IzzardR-So. 6-3287507
55Fatorma MulbahSo.6-330763
52Jordan van den BergR-Fr.6-329163
28Zane DurantFr.6-12720
58Kaleb ArtisFr.6-43100

Penn State DT Stock Watch

You could make the argument for both directions on this one, depending on your perspective.

To the positive, Hakeem Beamon is back and expected to be able to contribute this season. He was in line to start before off-field concerns sidelined him for the duration of the 2021 campaign, so that’s the first big influx of talent. The second has to be true freshman Zane Durant, who has been maybe the most buzz-worthy member of Penn State’s highly respected Class of 2022. Even at a position that typically doesn’t produce immediate impact performers, Durant could very well be in line to do just that.

Check out the rest of the defensive tackle preview here.

Want more BWI premium content? Subscribe for one dollar!

You may also like