Which Penn State players made the All-Big Ten teams on defense?
Numerous Penn State football players have made the All-Big Ten defensive teams following the 2022 regular season.
Corner Joey Porter Jr., was the lone first-team pick. The redshirt junior, who is likely to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft, was a unanimous first-team pick by the coaches and media voters. He was outstanding in 2022, often forcing opposing offenses to ignore his side of the field completely. In 2022, Porter Jr., had 27 tackles and 11 pass breakups despite missing time due to an appendectomy in November.
“Joey was playing as good as any corner in the country and then, obviously, as you guys know, he had a medical situation, which we announced what it was. I’m proud of the fact that he was able to come back,” Lions coach James Franklin said last Saturday after Porter Jr., returned for the Lions 35-16 win over Michigan State.
“He wanted to get out there and help his team. I think that speaks volumes about who he is and how much he loves the game.”
Penn State efensive tackle PJ Mustipher was a second-team pick by the coaches while freshman linebacker Abdul Carter was a second-team pick by the media.
“I’m proud of him. He’s gotten better every single week,” Franklin said of Carter.
“He’s got a ton of natural physical ability that he’s getting more and more confident within the scheme which not only is helping our defense play better, but it’s also putting him in position to make more and more plays.”
More Penn State players land on the third team, in the honorable mention category
Mustipher landed on the media’s third team. Corner Kalen King and safety Ji’Ayir Brown were unanimous third-team selections, though it wouldn’t have been a shock if both made the second team. However, they did not in this go-around of voting.
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“I don’t think enough people are talking about him when it comes to college football awards, when it comes to the NFL,” James Franklin said in November.
“His name should be all over the place. He plays his tail off. He makes his teammates better, he’s able to impact the game both in the run game and in the pass game. He’s a very well-rounded football player. And, he’s been a phenomenal leader for us.”
Brown will play in the Senior Bowl in the leadup to the 2023 NFL Draft.
Adisa Issac was a third-team pick by the coaches, too.
The Lions’ honorable mention list honorees include Chop Robinson (unanimous) plus linebacker Curtis Jacobs (unanimous), end Nick Tarburton (coaches), and corner Johnny Dixon (media).
Special teams get a nod, as well
Penn State punter Barney Amor and kickreturner Nicholas Singleton were both honorable mention special teams picks by the coaches. The media vote had Singleton as a third-team return specialist choice and listed kicker Jake Pinegar in its honorable mention category.
On Wednesday, the Big Ten will announce its all-conference teams and individual award winners on offense at Noon ET on Big Ten Network.
