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Penn State vs. Michigan depth chart: Defense

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•10/13/22•

ThomasFrankCarr

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Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy has only been pressured on 19.5% of his dropbacks this season, according to PFF. Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson and his teammates will try to change that this weekend. (Photo: Dan Althouse/BWI)

Penn State takes on Michigan in a battle to remain unbeaten and in the race for the Big Ten East title. The game could also be known as the depth chart game. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh popularized the trend of not releasing a depth chart in the Big Ten, which has proliferated to various schools, including Penn State.

While neither team will produce an official depth chart, we’re picking up the slack. Check out Blue White Illustrated’s defensive depth chart and be on the lookout for the printable version, which will be available later.

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)

Lowdown: 

With Coziah Izzard returning from his four-game absence, he rejoins the two-deep behind Hakeem Beamon at defensive tackle. Penn State’s depth at defensive tackle stands out with Izzard in the mix. The Lions can go three-deep at both positions, and all six will likely see the field in some capacity.

The same is true at defensive end, where Amin Vanover and Dani Dennis-Sutton will fight for snaps each week behind the top three rushers.

Lions linebackers

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

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

SAM linebacker
0 Jonathan Sutherland (R-Sr.+)
34 Dominic DeLuca (R-Fr.)

Lowdown: 

Franklin restated his confidence in linebacker Jonathan Sutherland this week when asked about his linebackers on Tuesday. So for fans hoping that the Lions would unveil a starting three without the senior defender on the field, that feels unlikely.

However, watch out for sub-packages featuring Curtis Jacobs and Abdul Carter, especially in short-yardage situations.

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.)

Lowdown: 

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.)

Lowdown: Freshman Cristian Driver has worked his way from scout team to two-deep player in practice, so he’ll do the same on the depth chart. The former high school safety has the physicality and the maturity to play the boundary corner, which is why he’s in line behind Joey Porter Jr and Marquis Wilson.

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