Penn State vs. Indiana depth chart: Defense

Penn State football shortened the bench significantly on the defensive side of the ball last week in a big game against Ohio State. Several important reserves took a step back in total snaps last week, which shouldn’t be the case against its next Big Ten East foe, Indiana. However, there is one move we can officially crown this week after a two-week shift.

As always, Penn State doesn’t release an official depth chart, so turn to Blue White Illustrated for your weekly fix of depth chart news.

Penn State vs. Indiana depth chart: offense

Penn State defensive line

Defensive end

46 Nick Tarburton (R-Sr)
44 Chop Robinson (So.)
56 Amin Vanover (So.)

Defensive tackle

51 Hakeem Beamon (R-Jr)
99 Coziah Izzard (R-So)
28 Zane Durant (Fr.)
55 Fatorma Mulbah (R-So)

Defensive tackle

97 PJ Mustipher (Sr+)
91 D’Von Ellies (R-Jr)
52 Jordan van den Berg (R-Fr)

Defensive end

20 Adisa Isaac (R-Jr)
33 Dani Dennis-Sutton (Fr.)
94 Jake Wilson (R-So)

The Lowdown: 

As we mentioned earlier, Penn State cut down on the rotation of depth players against the Buckeyes, and no position was more pronounced than along the defensive line. Reserves Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant, Jordan van den Berg, Amin Vanover, and even Coziah Izzard saw fewer than 20 snaps on Saturday. However, that doesn’t mean those snaps were unimportant. Dennis-Sutton and Durant were part of several crucial third down and sub-packages that saw action early in the game.

Against Indiana, that should change, but it isn’t a guarantee. The Hoosiers run an up-tempo offense that limits the ability to substitute players between plays, so Penn State will need a plan to shuttle linemen on and off the field.

Lions linebackers

WILL linebacker

11 Abdul Carter (Fr.)
23 Curtis Jacobs (So.)
42 Jamari Buddin (R-Fr.) 

Middle linebacker

43 Tyler Elsdon (So.)
41 Kobe King (So.)

SAM linebacker

23 Curtis Jacobs (So.)
0 Jonathan Sutherland (R-Sr.+)
34 Dominic DeLuca (R-Fr.)

The Lowdown:

The biggest question heading into the game against Ohio State was whether Penn State head coach James Franklin and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz would stick with the “big base” sub-package against the Buckeyes. It was a formation that put WILL linebacker Curtis Jacobs back at the SAM position, where he started his career, and elevated freshman Abdul Carter to a starting role. Against a run-heavy team like Minnesota, it made sense.

Then, the Nittany Lions used a heavy dose of the package last week against Ohio State, which was the antithesis of Minnesota. With three true linebackers on the field, Diaz dropped both of his safeties deep and played coverage.

Even though the Lions are facing an even more pass-happy spread offense in Indiana, we’re now switching Jacobs back to SAM as the starter. Even if this is a week-to-week change, Big Base is now a large enough part of the defense that warrants the move.

Penn State secondary

Safety

16 Ji’Ayir Brown (Sr.+)
7 Jaylen Reed (So.)
21 KJ Winston (Fr.)

Safety
2 Keaton Ellis (Jr.)
6 Zakee Wheatley (R-Fr.)

The Lowdown: 

The same situation at the defensive line holds for the secondary. Penn State opted to play veteran players over youthful depth against Ohio State, though safety Jaylen Reed still played a prominent role. Again, just like the line, the rotation will be challenging against Indiana’s hurry-up offense, but the young players should still see playing time this weekend.

Cornerback

9 Joey Porter Jr. (R-Jr.)
8 Marquis Wilson (Jr.)
24 Jeffrey Davis Jr. (R-Fr.)
13 Cristian Driver (Fr.)

Cornerback

3 Johnny Dixon (Jr.) OR 4 Kalen King (So.)
5 Cam Miller (Fr.)

Nickel

25 Daequan Hardy (R-Jr.)
3 Johnny Dixon (Jr.)

The Lowdown:

The situation at cornerback remains constant, with the only change being that Kalen King earned his second start in a row after rotating each game with Jonny Dixon this season. Daequan Hardy saw his most extensive action in weeks after facing several run-heavy teams in the middle of the season. His presence will likely be crucial again this week.