Penn State vs. Michigan State depth chart: Defense
Are there any big changes on the way for Penn State’s defense? Get the latest intel on the Nittany Lions with Blue White Illustrated’s depth chart. Find out which players will suit up and take on the Michigan State Spartans this weekend.
Penn State vs. Michigan State 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:
The one constant this season for the Nittany Lions has been the Penn State defensive line. While they may be working through bumps and bruises that haven’t affected starters from seeing the field, this group has remained primarily intact. We have little reason to think it won’t stay that way to start the final game this weekend.
Lions linebackers
WILL linebacker
11 Abdul Carter (Fr.)
23 Curtis Jacobs (So.)
45 Charlie Katshir (R-Sr.)
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 only wrinkle that may come from this group is senior linebacker Jonathan Sutherland getting a start as an honor for the team captain. But beyond that, the ascendence of freshman Abdul Carter changed the lineup here for the better, with more stable and quality play from the outside linebackers.
Penn State secondary
Safety
16 Ji’Ayir Brown (Sr.+)
7 Jaylen Reed (So.)
21 KJ Winston (Fr.)
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Safety
2 Keaton Ellis (Jr.)
7 Jaylen Reed (So.)
6 Zakee Wheatley (R-Fr.)
The Lowdown:
Penn State’s dominant run to end the season is thanks to players understanding the defensive system under coordinator Manny Diaz at a deeper level, but also thanks to health. Like the defensive line, safety has been ultra-stable, with starters Ji’Ayir Brown and Keaton Ellis leading a deep group of contributors that have improved as the season progressed. There shouldn’t be any notable changes until the bowl season and potential opt-outs.
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:
Signs are better that Joey Porter Jr. could return to the starting lineup this weekend. He was a limited participant during open practice on Wednesday, the first time we’ve seen him since his emergency appendectomy. However, even without Porter, the defense dominated the competition and shut down the opposing passing game through coverage pressure and blitzes. His presence on Saturday would be an added bonus against the physical group of receivers fielded by Michigan State.
