Veteran Penn State defensive tackle leaves Nittany Lions
Penn State redshirt senior+ defensive tackle Hakeem Beamon is no longer with the program after leaving the team earlier this week, the program has confirmed to Blue-White Illustrated. The Virginia native was not seen at the portion of practice open to reporters on Wednesday.
What we do know is that Beamon’s role has dwindled in recent weeks. After playing a season-high 23 defensive snaps in the opener at West Virginia, he only broke 20 snaps again once, and that was in the first week of October when the Lions knocked out UCLA at Beaver Stadium. He was on the field for just 8 defensive reps at USC, 10 at Wisconsin, and just seven in last weekend’s 20-13 loss to Ohio State.
Beamon will finish the 2024 season with three tackles (1.5 for loss) over 107 total snaps. The former four-star in the On3 Industry Rankings finished with 40 career tackles (12 for loss), a sack, and four pass breakups. Those numbers are spread over five seasons in State College.
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Who will earn more snaps for Penn State at defensive tackle?
Among its regular rotation players, Beamon had the fewest snaps at defensive tackle. Second-year Nittany Lion Alonzo Ford Jr., an Old Dominion transfer, saw his rep count shoot to 20 against Ohio State. He figures to be the biggest benefactor of Beamon’s departure from a playing time perspective. Ford returned from an injury suffered during his first year on campus to carve out a role in 2024.
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“As you know, coming back with an injury like that, it’s going to take time. But, he’s technically sound,” Penn State defensive line coach Deion Barnes said when asked about Ford in late October. “He plays to those strengths. I’ve been pleased with what he’s doing. I have high expectations for him. That kid, when he came back, he showed through those couple practices and throughout the season that he knows how to play ball and is a good football player.”
Before last Saturday, Ford was averaging about 15 reps per game. Veteran backup defensive tackle Coziah Izzard might be in for a bump, too. And, second-year Penn State defender Ty Blanding could up his share of the rep pie, as well, especially in blowouts moving forward.
