Penn State spring questions for coaches: How will John Scott Jr., replace lost production?

Penn State has many holes to fill on its depth chart as spring practice begins next week, but perhaps no unit has more position battles to figure out than the defensive line does.

Position coach John Scott Jr., has many questions to answer before the 2022 season begins. He must start figuring out his plan of attack during the next month when 15 practices will create plenty of film to evaluate and make decisions off of.

Blue-White Illustrated is spending the days before drills begin asking a key question for each member of head coach James Franklin’s staff. Today, Scott Jr., is in focus.

The Scott Jr., file

Scott Jr., enters his third season at Penn State.

The 46-year-old Greer, S.C., native spent his playing days at Western Carolina, where he was an All-Conference performer. After spending a few seasons coaching at the high school level, Scott Jr., received his first college opportunity with former Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry, as the pair spent time together at Louisana-Layfayette from 2002-2004.

From there, Scott Jr., would coach the defensive line at Norfolk State (2005), Western Carolina (2006-2008), Missouri State (2009), and Georgia Southern (where he and Pry overlapped in 2010; Scott Jr. stayed until 2012). He then became a graduate assistant at Texas Tech for two years before spending a pair of seasons with the New York Jets. After two years at Arkansas, he spent a year with South Carolina before joining the Nittany Lions in 2021.

Penn State has sent two of Scott Jr.’s players to the pros: Odafe Oweh and Shaka Toney. This year, the list could swell with Jesse Luketa, Arnold Ebiketie, and Derrick Tangelo all hoping to hear their names called.

What is the biggest spring question facing Penn State defensive line coach John Scott Jr.?

It’s a short one that is anything but sweet.

Three defensive line starters have moved on from last year’s roster. Co-starter Nick Tarburton does return at end, but he’ll be pushed for first-team work. Then, inside, Penn State received a big boost when tackle PJ Mustipher announced his return. But, it’s unclear when he’ll actually be able to suit up this fall as he continues recovering from a leg injury suffered back in October at Iowa.

Many players will have the chance to show why they should receive first-team work inside. That list obviously starts with Coziah Izzard and D’von Ellies. But, Fatorma Mulbah, Amin Vanover, Jordan van den Berg, Hakeem Beamon, Cole Brevard, and January enrollee Zane Durant all have big springs ahead of them. Each is fighting to earn his largest share of work as a Nittany Lion. van den Berg and Beamon will be especially interesting to follow. The former missed almost all of last season for undisclosed reasons while the latter has shown great promise. Mulbah, then, might be the team’s strongest player, but will it transfer to the field? Then, Durant has turned many heads in the weight room, but can he with pads on?

At end, Adisa Isaac has a chance to be full-go after missing last season with an injury. Can he earn a first-team spot by mid-April, or will Penn State ease him back in? Either way, he’s expected to be a starter in the fall. Zuriah Fisher and Smith Vilbert both saw extended action down the stretch. Where is each at in terms of offseason improvement? Then, younger players like Davon Townley Jr., and Rodney McGraw will hope to climb the depth chart.

This group has many possible contributors and also lots of talent. But, much of it is unproven. That will make it fascinating to follow. But, Scott Jr., may have the most things to figure out of any staff member this spring.