Penn State progression at linebacker gives the Lions flexibility with Abdul Carter, and others, moving forward
The Penn State defense has been very good in recent weeks. That’s especially true at linebacker. Before the season began, there were question marks about how the Lions might get through the 2022 season considering the mixture of inexperience and numbers issues new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Manny Diaz was dealing with.
However, as the team sits at 9-2 ahead of Saturday’s season finale at Michigan State, things have gone better than expected. That’s true even with top linebacker Curtis Jacobs missing time. And, it’s because middle linebackers Kobe King and Tyler Elsdon have stepped up and progressed inside, while Abdul Carter has been a revelation at WILL linebacker, and Jonathan Sutherland has been good at SAM. Dom DeLuca has been fine, as well, when pressed into action.
It’s certainly interesting to look back on the preseason concerns about the heart of the defense compared to how things have played out. Carter is in line for an All-Big Ten freshmen team nod. King and Elsdon both confidently direct the defense and one of them could earn at least honorable mention conference honors. And, with a game to go, injuries aside from the game Jacobs missed have not been a concern.
Part of the reason for all of it ties back to crosstraining. It’s been discussed often along the offensive line and at other spots. But, it came up again on Wednesday night when Franklin was asked about Carter’s future. The former four-star is said to have middle linebacker capabilities.
James Franklin talks Penn State linebacker training and development plans
Franklin said he could see Carter moving inside down the road. However, with King and Elsdon progressing, that may not be necessary.
“I don’t know if that’s a that’s a short-term thing,” Franklin said. “What I’m saying is, I think I can see that in his future. Obviously, with two young players that are coming on for us at MIKE linebacker right now, I don’t know if that’s necessarily needed.
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“But obviously, the more things that you can do, the better. I can see this spring our MIKE’s taking some reps and getting some work at WILl. And I can see some of our WILLs getting some work at MIKE linebacker. So, we’ll see how that all plays out.”
The crosstraining does not apply only to Carter, of course. And, because of it, Penn State can and will continue to have flexibility across its linebackers room, which will help with numbers now and in the future regardless of how both recruiting and the transfer portal searches go. That said, he could end up inside one day. But, he’s thriving outside for the time being.
“I do think it gives them a better understanding of the defense, and allows Manny and us to have a little bit more moving parts,” Franklin said.
“So now you’re in a situation where you’re just saying ‘OK, let’s get the next best linebacker on the field.’ MIKE’s a little tricky though. It’s almost like you got to you go to live in that world full-time. Because there’s just a lot on that guy’s plate. But, you never know what the future holds.”
