2025 defense: How good will they be?

[RickinDayton]

If they can play as well as last year then this team could make it to the semis again.
This is how I see the position groups:
- Corners (better, I like the depth)
- Safeties (slight drop off because of lack of proven depth)
- DEs (slight drop off but hopefully as season progresses they become a strength). I really Iike Granville's upside.
- DTs (drop off because of question mark about Ford's health and lack of previous productivity from back-ups). BIG IF is if Ford is ready to go 100% for B1G schedule, then I'm more comfortable)
- LBers (very concerned about drop off here - Roja's lack of discipline/bad angles, Wiley's health, DeLuca is smart put smallish, Speca up & comer but needs to take a huge leap, and need a couple true Freshman and/or Campbell to provide meaningful reps)

Coach Knowles and his staff have lots of have lifting for this group to play @ same level as last year.
I expect the easier OOC will be helpful in developing some dept and confidence.

In the words of "the Waterboy" fan in my Cajun accent, "You can do it!!!"

 

[GregInPitt]

If they can play as well as last year then this team could make it to the semis again.
This is how I see the position groups:
- Corners (better, I like the depth)
- Safeties (slight drop off because of lack of proven depth)
- DEs (slight drop off but hopefully as season progresses they become a strength). I really Ike Granville's upside.
- DTs (drop off because of question mark about Ford's health and lack of previous productivity from back-ups). BIG IF is if Ford is ready to go 100% for B1G schedule, then I'm more cofirtable)
- LBers (very concerned about drop off here - Roja's lack of discipline/bad angles, Wiley's health, DeLuca is smart put smallish, Speca up & Comer but needs to take a huge leap, and need a couple true Freshman and/or Campbell to provide meaningful reps)

Coach Knowles and his staff have lots of have lifting for this group o play @ same level as last year.
I'm expect the easier OOC will be helpful in developing some dept and confidence.

In the words of "the Waterboy" fan in my Cajun accent, "You can do it!!!"

Some good points.

My thoughts.

Not much to say about the CB's. The top 4 of Harris, Washington, Collins and Tracey should be about as good as any group in the country. And Dixon and Woseley are also talented and will be brought along this season.

Safety's in 2024 could have been the best in the country if Winston had played. Last year the depth was pretty much only Lane who was a true freshman and spot duty from Belgrave-Shorter, although the staff made some nice comments about Toure who redshirted. This season Wheatley should be better and quite possibly an all B10 player, maybe the equal of what Winston would have been last season. It sounds like Lane is the favorite to start opposite Wheatly and replace the very good Reed. The depth this season will probably be better than last season, with the pretty experienced King returning to PSU, and Toure and Belgrave-Shorter who both seem to be pretty talented redshirt freshmen, and Payne who from what we know doesn't seem to be headed towards eventually being a starting caliber Safety. Dinkins as well who I believe plays special teams and may be one of the current walk on's that gets a scholarship within the 105 transition.

At LB I'm not as concerned as you seem to be. King developed into a very good Mike LB last season, but the other 2 starters are back and should be better, particularly Rojas who should be better at being in position as he has matured. You mention DeLuka as smart but smallish, but at 235 lbs he is the 2nd biggest LB out of the 10 listed on the roster and only by 2 lbs at that (Jackson at 237). So PSU lost 1 LB to graduation but really for 2025 got 4 LB's that are now ready to play in Wylie (back from injury in his 4th season at PSU), Speca (lots of positive comments from coaches) and Jackson who redshirted last season, and the experienced incoming transfer Campbell. Additionally, Arrington may get a green light just from his potential special teams contributions which would allow him to get snaps in the OOC games and develop as a viable backup by mid season. So although it will be tough to replace King, even with the new DC's defense only using 2 LB's most of the time, I believe PSU will have much better depth at LB in 2025 vs 2024.

At DT the 2024 2 deep was extremely experienced. But the fact that Izzard wasn't drafted and only signed as a FA and Ellies wasn't even signed as a FA causes me to believe the actual talent level wasn't as high as I had believed last season. With Ford and Durant starting and Gilliam getting a lot of praise it seems that if the large group of DT's (Blanding, Artis, Wafle, Cook, Andrews and Adirika) competing for the other 2 spots in a 5 DT rotation yield some capable backups that there is a reasonable expecations that DT could be as good or better this season.

At DE it isn't likely that PSU can put a player with the talent of Carter on the field. But DDS should be better and provide leadershop and Fisher if he can stay healthy will be pretty solid as well. As you said the staff is expecting big things from Granville, particularly as a pass rusher. And just like at DT there are a number of talented young DE's that are competing for the other spots in the rotation that have gotten praise/mention from the staff, particularly Harvey and Kemajou. And also White, Mayer, Williams, and Robinson. Lots of competition which should make them all better.

 

[RickinDayton]

Some good points.

My thoughts.

Not much to say about the CB's. The top 4 of Harris, Washington, Collins and Tracey should be about as good as any group in the country. And Dixon and Woseley are also talented and will be brought along this season.

Safety's in 2024 could have been the best in the country if Winston had played. Last year the depth was pretty much only Lane who was a true freshman and spot duty from Belgrave-Shorter, although the staff made some nice comments about Toure who redshirted. This season Wheatley should be better and quite possibly an all B10 player, maybe the equal of what Winston would have been last season. It sounds like Lane is the favorite to start opposite Wheatly. The depth this season will probably be better than last season, with the pretty experienced King returning to PSU, and Toure and Belgrave-Shorter who both seem to be pretty talented redshirt freshmen, and Payne who from what we know doesn't seem to be headed towards eventually being a starting caliber Safety. Dinkins as well who may be one of the current walk on's that gets a scholarship within the 105 transition.

At LB I'm not as concerned as you seem to be. King developed into a very good Mike LB last season, but the other 2 starters are back and should be better, particularly Rojas who should be better at being in position as he has matured. You mention DeLuka as smart but smallish, but at 235 lbs he is the 2nd biggest LB out of the 10 listed on the roster and only by 2 lbs at that (Jackson at 237). So PSU lost 1 LB to graduation but really got 4 LB's that are now ready to play in Wylie (back from injury in his 4th season at PSU), Speca (lots of positive comments from coaches) and Jackson who redshirted last season, and the experienced incoming transfer Campbell. Additionally, Arrington may be get a green light just from his potential special teams contributions which would allow him to get snaps in the OOC games and develop as a viable backup by mid season. So although it will be tough to replace King, even with the new DC's defense only using 2 LB's most of the time, I believe PSU will have much better depth at LB in 2025 vs 2024.

At DT the 2024 2 deep was extremely experienced. But the fact that Izzard wasn't drafted and only signed as a FA and Ellies wasn't even signed as a FA causes me to believe the actual talent level wasn't as high as I had believed last season. With Ford and Durant starting and Gilliam getting a lot of praise it seems that if the large group of DT's (Blanding, Artis, Wafle, Cook, Andrews and Adirika) competing for the other 2 spots in a 5 DT rotation yield some capable backups that there is a reasonable expecations that DT could be as good or better this season.

At DE it isn't likely that PSU can put a player with the talent of Carter on the field. But DDS should be better and provide leadershop and Fisher if he can stay healthy will be pretty solid as well. As you said the staff is expecting big things from Granville as a pass rusher. And just like at DT there are a number of talented yound DE's that are competing for the other spots in the rotation that have gotten praise/mention from the staff, particularly Harvey and Kemajou. And also White, Mayer, Williams, and Robinson. Lots of competition which should make them all better.

Thanks for your view. I should have clarified my "smallish" comment for DeLuca. He is bit short and I think this can cause him some matchup problems in defending the passing game.

 

[SR108]

If they can play as well as last year then this team could make it to the semis again.
This is how I see the position groups:
- Corners (better, I like the depth)
- Safeties (slight drop off because of lack of proven depth)
- DEs (slight drop off but hopefully as season progresses they become a strength). I really Ike Granville's upside.
- DTs (drop off because of question mark about Ford's health and lack of previous productivity from back-ups). BIG IF is if Ford is ready to go 100% for B1G schedule, then I'm more cofirtable)
- LBers (very concerned about drop off here - Roja's lack of discipline/bad angles, Wiley's health, DeLuca is smart put smallish, Speca up & Comer but needs to take a huge leap, and need a couple true Freshman and/or Campbell to provide meaningful reps)

Coach Knowles and his staff have lots of have lifting for this group o play @ same level as last year.
I'm expect the easier OOC will be helpful in developing some dept and confidence.

In the words of "the Waterboy" fan in my Cajun accent, "You can do it!!!"

According to Knowles the strength of the D is the Secondary, and DLine. He doesn’t seem concerned about DLine Depth. He did not talk about the Linebackers, so apparently he shares your concerns.

 

[SR108]

 

[bcspsu]

According to Knowles the strength of the D is the Secondary, and DLine. He doesn’t seem concerned about DLine Depth. He did not talk about the Linebackers, so apparently he shares your concerns.

I actually think that the linebacker position can be better this season than last season. I know that King played very well last season. However, Rojas played his best football at the end of the season, and he also played with a bad shoulder. DeLuca should be just as good if not better than last season, and he also missed time with a broken hand; he makes plays. I also think that we’ll be deeper at that position than last season.

 

[RickinDayton]

I actually think that the linebacker position can be better this season than last season. I know that King played very well last season. However, Rojas played his best football at the end of the season, and he also played with a bad shoulder. DeLuca should be just as good if not better than last season, and he also missed time with a broken hand; he makes plays. I also think that we’ll be deeper at that position than last season.

I sure hope you're right. I'm still a bit skeptical about the LBers.

 

[SR108]

I actually think that the linebacker position can be better this season than last season. I know that King played very well last season. However, Rojas played his best football at the end of the season, and he also played with a bad shoulder. DeLuca should be just as good if not better than last season, and he also missed time with a broken hand; he makes plays. I also think that we’ll be deeper at that position than last season.

Considering they will play 2 backers most of the time, they should be able to come up with at least a four man rotation.

 

[RickinDayton]

Considering they will play 2 backers most of the time, they should be able to come up with at least a four man rotation.

PSU really need Wiley, Jackson, Speca, and Campbell to be reliable contributors for depth.

 

[LMTLION]

I think it was said that Rojas played nicked up much of the year. He was running a 4.37 40 in spring ball and supposedly is completely healthy now versus last season. If he can clean up some of his game, he has the potential to be great. With the portal addition, we may be very solid at LB and at least as good as last season. King was very solid at the end of the season and became a great tackler, but he only had average speed.

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

Top 5

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

I think it was said that Rojas played nicked up much of the year. He was running a 4.37 40 in spring ball and supposedly is completely healthy now versus last season. If he can clean up some of his game, he has the potential to be great. With the portal addition, we may be very solid at LB and at least as good as last season. King was very solid at the end of the season and became a great tackler, but he only had average speed.

How’d King do vs good teams?

 

[PSU Soupy]

How’d King do vs good teams?

How’d King do in pass coverage of TEs or RBs?

 

[19333lion]

Someone will be playing where Carter played. They won't be able to replace his production or cause offensive coordinators to scheme around him. Winston would have been a stud but missed most of the season. I think Reed will be tough to replace. He was a heck of a playmaker. King played well enough to get drafted, and leaves shoes that will be challenging to fill.

Can the defense be as good as last year's? They have three games to figure it out, because OR comes to down in week four. That game should give us an idea of what the rest of the season will look like on both sides of the ball.

 

[GregInPitt]

Not sure why PSU would really need 6 starting caliber LB's when the current defense plays with 2 more than half the time and most teams including PSU don't liberally substitute at LB. It would be more of a luxury than a necessity. Even with some nicks and bruises. Rojas, DeLuka, Campbell, Wylie, Speca, Nelson and Jackson. Plus the developing Arrington and Tatsch. It looks to me like plenty of depth given that the young players including Speca and Nelson should be getting better as they practice and play. Maybe there will be more situational substitutions in Knowles defense for run vs passing situations that will require specialized LB's. I'm just hoping to see better backups than what we've seen with Elsdon on the ground watching RB's pass by.........

And it seems a good bit more of a necessity to have 5-6 each of DT's and DE's given how much substituting is done to keep players fresh along the DL and the priority to have a top pass rush at the end of games.

 

[Wallace Breen]

When looking at the defense you have to look back a year. The defense was very good under Allen. considering the losses/shifts, the result was better than most expected. Allen was an upgrade from Diaz after all. The defense was great against bad offenses and mediocre against the rest. Fast forward to 2025, we have downgraded our DC while hiring a system guy whose defense is well known to have a slow learning curve. Now on the talent.

The defensive tackle lacks talent. This looks like the least talented bunch we have had since between joining the Big Ten. Izzard is gone and he was our best DT since Robert Windsor left the program. At end, DDS is a good athlete but plays out of control and will have a target on his back after his dirty hit on Ashton Jeanty which was prefaced by several other nasty plays. I personally think Franklin should have kicked him off the team. But, Franklin is a coward so he wouldn't even punish him. If DDS can right the ship, he might be our best DE since Karl Nassib. The rest of the group is TDB. At linebacker, we also lack talent and our best player showed little in the way of football intelligence. The secondary will almost certainly take a big hit with Reed gone.

Overall, I would expect two steps back on defense. One for the loss of talent, one for the downgrade at DC. There may be a half or third full step in there with the offense playing better defenses overall compared to the weak slate in 24.

 

[GregInPitt]

When looking at the defense you have to look back a year. The defense was very good under Allen. considering the losses/shifts, the result was better than most expected. Allen was an upgrade from Diaz after all. The defense was great against bad offenses and mediocre against the rest. Fast forward to 2025, we have downgraded our DC while hiring a system guy whose defense is well known to have a slow learning curve. Now on the talent.

The defensive tackle lacks talent. This looks like the least talented bunch we have had since between joining the Big Ten. Izzard is gone and he was our best DT since Robert Windsor left the program. At end, DDS is a good athlete but plays out of control and will have a target on his back after his dirty hit on Ashton Jeanty which was prefaced by several other nasty plays. I personally think Franklin should have kicked him off the team. But, Franklin is a coward so he wouldn't even punish him. If DDS can right the ship, he might be our best DE since Karl Nassib. The rest of the group is TDB. At linebacker, we also lack talent and our best player showed little in the way of football intelligence. The secondary will almost certainly take a big hit with Reed gone.

Overall, I would expect two steps back on defense. One for the loss of talent, one for the downgrade at DC. There may be a half or third full step in there with the offense playing better defenses overall compared to the weak slate in 24.

Opinions vary.

I'd take Diaz any day over Allen. Allen got lucky that Carter, who was a very good LB, ended up as the nations top Edge.

I also believe this season's DT's are at least as talented as last seasons, although not as experienced overall with Durant, Ellies, Izzard, and Beamon all having multiple years of playing time and starting experiencegoing into last season. I was always high on Izzard and Ellies and they had lots of experience and good production, but neither was drafted and Ellies wasn't even signed as a FA last time I looked. When Beamon left and Ford got hurt last season the DT room was pretty bare of experience. A more experienced Durant, clearly last season's best DT, and Ford looks like an upgrade over last season's starters. And behind them are a large group of young and talented redshirt freshman competing to play along with Blanding and Artis.

DDS likely was the first person to admit he made a mistake on the hit. It happens in football where players key themselves up to play the game with a nasty streak. Hard to believe anyone they play this season would even remember that hit.

LB will be much deeper, and the secondary will be at least as good with a very talented group of CB's and in spite of losing Reed at Safety the position will have considerably more depth and playmakers. Wheatley will likely be better this season than Reed was last season and his awareness leads to more turnovers than Reed showed in his PSU career. Lots of young talent to pair with Wheatley including Lane, Mack, Toure and Belgrave-Shorter.

Any you seem to be in a small minority with your criticism of Knowles as he's recognized throughout college football as one of the top 5 DC's in college football.

 

[bcspsu]

When looking at the defense you have to look back a year. The defense was very good under Allen. considering the losses/shifts, the result was better than most expected. Allen was an upgrade from Diaz after all. The defense was great against bad offenses and mediocre against the rest. Fast forward to 2025, we have downgraded our DC while hiring a system guy whose defense is well known to have a slow learning curve. Now on the talent.

The defensive tackle lacks talent. This looks like the least talented bunch we have had since between joining the Big Ten. Izzard is gone and he was our best DT since Robert Windsor left the program. At end, DDS is a good athlete but plays out of control and will have a target on his back after his dirty hit on Ashton Jeanty which was prefaced by several other nasty plays. I personally think Franklin should have kicked him off the team. But, Franklin is a coward so he wouldn't even punish him. If DDS can right the ship, he might be our best DE since Karl Nassib. The rest of the group is TDB. At linebacker, we also lack talent and our best player showed little in the way of football intelligence. The secondary will almost certainly take a big hit with Reed gone.

Overall, I would expect two steps back on defense. One for the loss of talent, one for the downgrade at DC. There may be a half or third full step in there with the offense playing better defenses overall compared to the weak slate in 24.

Even with Carter, King and Reed, the defense wasn’t good in the first half of many games last season, like against Bowling Green, USC, Minnesota and Oregon. I give credit that the staff made good adjustments in the second half. However, maybe they’ll be more prepared to start games on time this season.

I agree that Carter can’t be replaced and it will be hard to replace Reed’s production. However, that’s life in college football; you always have to replace impact players. PSU just has to be better than the teams that they’re going to play this season. If you believe that Oregon and OSU will be the two toughest games, well, OSU just had fourteen players drafted, including much of their starting defense, and Oregon lost a lot too. Who knows how their replacements will do this season.

Finally, who knows if one of the inexperienced players will develop into the next Carter, King or Reed. Carter in 2022 wasn’t Carter in 2024. There’s enough talented players on this roster who can develop into future stars.

 

[Wallace Breen]

Even with Carter, King and Reed, the defense wasn’t good in the first half of many games last season, like against Bowling Green, USC, Minnesota and Oregon. I give credit that the staff made good adjustments in the second half. However, maybe they’ll be more prepared to start games on time this season.

I agree that Carter can’t be replaced and it will be hard to replace Reed’s production. However, that’s life in college football; you always have to replace impact players. PSU just has to be better than the teams that they’re going to play this season. If you believe that Oregon and OSU will be the two toughest games, well, OSU just had fourteen players drafted, including much of their starting defense, and Oregon lost a lot too. Who knows how their replacements will do this season.

Finally, who knows if one of the inexperienced players will develop into the next Carter, King or Reed. Carter in 2022 wasn’t Carter in 2024. There’s enough talented players on this roster who can develop into future stars.

Knowles history says the defense will take step back due to the rather unique system he runs. It has happened every where he has coached. Furthermore, his defense requires a great deal of individual discipline to execute. That is not something we are currently known for. We have have quite a few players known to play out of control, and they happen to be our best players in the front seven. Yes, it is entirely possible the defense will be ready to play. I would argue based on demonstrated history, it is very unlikely.

 

[Wallace Breen]

Opinions vary.

I'd take Diaz any day over Allen. Allen got lucky that Carter, who was a very good LB, ended up as the nations top Edge.

I also believe this season's DT's are at least as talented as last seasons, although not as experienced overal with Durant, Ellies, Izzard, and Beamon all having multiple years of playing time and starting experience. I was always high on Izzard and Ellies and they had lots of experience and good production, but neither was drafted and Ellies wasn't even signed as a FA last time I looked. When Beamon left and Ford got hurt last season the DT room was pretty bare of experience. A more experienced Durant, clearly last season's best DT, and Ford looks like an upgrade over last season's starters. And behind them are a large group of young and talented redshirt freshman competing to play along with Blanding and Artis.

DDS likely was the first person to admit he made a mistake on the hit. It happens in football where players key themselves up to play the game with a nasty streak. Hard to believe anyone they play this season would even remember that hit.

LB will be much deeper, and the secondary will be at least as good with a very talented group of CB's and in spite of losing Reed at Safety the position will have considerably more depth and playmakers. Wheatley will likely be better this season than Reed was last season and his awareness leads to more turnovers than Reed showed in his PSU career. Lots of young talent to pair with Wheatley including Lane, Mack, Toure and Belgrave-Shorter.

Any you seem to be in a small minority with your criticism of Knowles as he recognized throughout college football as one of the top 5 DC's in college football.

Sorry, Knowles is not a top five DC. I don't care if I am in a small minority. My track record speaks for itself. The clown here will say I am wrong about everything but they are clowns. I have been right on just about everything. Too bad sports writing pays so little it isn't wroth my time. Knowles might not be top five in the Big Ten. His answers to questions about why he left were embarrassing. We downgraded while OSU upgraded. Not a good look.

 

[Delcolion915]

Wallace Breen is the first and only analyst in the entire nation who thinks Penn State will "take a step back" with the nation's best defensive coordinator and will "downgrade"

😂

 

[bcspsu]

Wallace Breen is the first and only analyst in the entire nation who thinks Penn State will "take a step back" with the nation's best defensive coordinator and will "downgrade"

😂

The thing is that OSU had fourteen players, including many on their defense, drafted, and their defensive coordinator went to PSU. Moreover, the guy whom they hired as defensive coordinator is unfamiliar with the Big 10, whereas Knowles should have a book on how to play Big 10 teams.

My point is you can’t argue that PSU may take a step back this season on defense, which they could, and not mention that their chief rival for a Big 10 Championship also may take two or three steps backward.

Also, this PSU defense isn’t going to have to play an OSU offense that just had two running backs, a wide receiver, a multiple year starting qb, and maybe an o-lineman or two drafted, and they’re not going to have to play an Oregon team that just had a qb drafted who made the most starts in college football history. So they probably can afford to take a minor step back.

 

[bcspsu]

Sorry, Knowles is not a top five DC. I don't care if I am in a small minority. My track record speaks for itself. The clown here will say I am wrong about everything but they are clowns. I have been right on just about everything. Too bad sports writing pays so little it isn't wroth my time. Knowles might not be top five in the Big Ten. His answers to questions about why he left were embarrassing. We downgraded while OSU upgraded. Not a good look.

We did not downgrade going from Allen to Knowles. God, Knowles just coordinated a defense that won a National Championship and basically was impenetrable except for the game at Oregon. Are you just being negative for negative’s sake?

 

[Wallace Breen]

The thing is that OSU had fourteen players, including many on their defense, and their defensive coordinator, who incidentally went to PSU. Moreover, the guy whom they hired as defensive coordinator is unfamiliar with the Big 10, whereas Knowles should have a book on how to play Big 10 teams. My point is you can’t argue that PSU may take a step back this season, which they could, and not mention that there chief rival for a Big 10 Championship make take two or three steps backward.

Also, this PSU defense isn’t going to have to an OSU offense that just had two running backs, a wide receiver, and a multiple year starting qb drafted, and there not going to have to play an Oregon team that just had a qb drafted who made the most starts in college football history. So they probably can afford to take a minor step back.

What you are saying is we are even with OSU and Oregon absolutely best case which is entirely unrealistic. What you are forgetting is what Oregon and OSU just lost is kind of standard stuff for them. All of it is nonsense and completely irrelevant to us however. What matters is that we have a new defensive coordinator that is a downgrade from Allen and he runs a system that with a learning curve that has repeated at every stop. Furthermore, we run a gimmick laden offense that did not do much against good defenses. Gimmick laden offenses like what we run tend to take a step back in year two. Remember the Notre Dame game? The second half is what is probably coming against good Ds in 2025. Remember Oregon? The game was over in the first half. They started played prevent in the first quarter.

 

[GregInPitt]

What you are saying is we are even with OSU and Oregon absolutely best case which is entirely unrealistic. What you are forgetting is what Oregon and OSU just lost is kind of standard stuff for them. All of it is nonsense and completely irrelevant to us however. What matters is that we have a new defensive coordinator that is a downgrade from Allen and he runs a system that with a learning curve that has repeated at every stop. Furthermore, we run a gimmick laden offense that did not do much against good defenses. Gimmick laden offenses like what we run tend to take a step back in year two. Remember the Notre Dame game? The second half is what is probably coming against good Ds in 2025. Remember Oregon? The game was over in the first half. They started played prevent in the first quarter.

Oregon lost more from their defense to the NFL draft than PSU did. PSU ran for 300 yards on Oregon last season when they had high draft choices on their DL, and only a terrible INT by Allar prevented PSU winning that game. PSU has that same oline and those running backs back for 2025. These facts don't seem to be taken into account within your pessimism.

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

How’d King do in pass coverage of TEs or RBs?

Not too good

 

[olelion]

When looking at the defense you have to look back a year. The defense was very good under Allen. considering the losses/shifts, the result was better than most expected. Allen was an upgrade from Diaz after all. The defense was great against bad offenses and mediocre against the rest. Fast forward to 2025, we have downgraded our DC while hiring a system guy whose defense is well known to have a slow learning curve. Now on the talent.

The defensive tackle lacks talent. This looks like the least talented bunch we have had since between joining the Big Ten. Izzard is gone and he was our best DT since Robert Windsor left the program. At end, DDS is a good athlete but plays out of control and will have a target on his back after his dirty hit on Ashton Jeanty which was prefaced by several other nasty plays. I personally think Franklin should have kicked him off the team. But, Franklin is a coward so he wouldn't even punish him. If DDS can right the ship, he might be our best DE since Karl Nassib. The rest of the group is TDB. At linebacker, we also lack talent and our best player showed little in the way of football intelligence. The secondary will almost certainly take a big hit with Reed gone.

Overall, I would expect two steps back on defense. One for the loss of talent, one for the downgrade at DC. There may be a half or third full step in there with the offense playing better defenses overall compared to the weak slate in 24.

If only Moorehead could coach this defense

 

[PalmBeachLion2011]

What you are saying is we are even with OSU and Oregon absolutely best case which is entirely unrealistic. What you are forgetting is what Oregon and OSU just lost is kind of standard stuff for them. All of it is nonsense and completely irrelevant to us however. What matters is that we have a new defensive coordinator that is a downgrade from Allen and he runs a system that with a learning curve that has repeated at every stop. Furthermore, we run a gimmick laden offense that did not do much against good defenses. Gimmick laden offenses like what we run tend to take a step back in year two. Remember the Notre Dame game? The second half is what is probably coming against good Ds in 2025. Remember Oregon? The game was over in the first half. They started played prevent in the first quarter.

I’m wondering whether you are just being a troll to irk people. Allen was a liability last year, he cost us the Oregon and Notre Dame games IMO and Ohio States offense for many parts of their game had their way with our d.. especially in the last 5 minutes when we couldn’t stop them running the ball down our throats. This is not the NFL, college foootball is and always has been a developmental game. Kids get better, they get bigger, stronger , faster and coached up. Every year the best teams have to replace studs and the best teams always seem to do it, like we have. If you listened to anything Knowles has said he has hinted that he plans to try and simplify things for the defense as much as possible here in year 1, and more likely just expand on the concepts and terminology the players have been accustomed to while adding his own wrinkles and concepts in. He wasn’t brought in to reinvent the wheel, he was brought in to help take our defense to the next step and be a bit better than the last guy. We have some really promising young talented players all over the defensive line, especially at end in my opinion. Now, no one player may replicate what Abdul Carter did, but year after year we seem to find and develop top d ends just go back to Chop Robinson. Granville could develop into a guy like that, same with a few other guys. Email white could end up being a key rotational piece. Lord knows the talent is there. The main concern IMO on the defense is finding that reliable run stopping LB that can take on blocks and play in position consistently. I think we have a few guys that could fill that role really well. My sleeper on the defense this year is Wylie. I think as long as he is healthy he will turn some heads this year and be a huge asset to the D. We need guys to step up like Jaylen Reed did for us last year. Corner should be much improved. Can’t get much worse than Tez Johnson having his way with our secondary last year and a CB I will not name falling over his own feet giving up the game tying long TD pass to ND which would have likely changed the outcome had we had come up with a stop there or at least held them to a FG. Young and unproven players all across the conference will have to step up and fill the shoes of very talented players that moved on to the next level. Just look at Michigan’s D Line and top CB, Ohio states d line and multiple players for Oregon. It’s part of the game.

 

[AWS1022]

Wallace Breen is the first and only analyst in the entire nation who thinks Penn State will "take a step back" with the nation's best defensive coordinator and will "downgrade"

😂

But in his mind he’s never wrong, just ask him…even his 7-5 predictions every year were correct. He’s a top level narcissist.

 

[Wallace Breen]

But in his mind he’s never wrong, just ask him…even his 7-5 predictions every year were correct. He’s a top level narcissist.

And here comes the clown who doesn't get the concept of reading comprehension.

 

[Zouavelion5]

But in his mind he’s never wrong, just ask him…even his 7-5 predictions every year were correct. He’s a top level narcissist.

WB would pick apart the 1994 offense

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

I’m wondering whether you are just being a troll to irk people. Allen was a liability last year, he cost us the Oregon and Notre Dame games IMO and Ohio States offense for many parts of their game had their way with our d.. especially in the last 5 minutes when we couldn’t stop them running the ball down our throats. This is not the NFL, college foootball is and always has been a developmental game. Kids get better, they get bigger, stronger , faster and coached up. Every year the best teams have to replace studs and the best teams always seem to do it, like we have. If you listened to anything Knowles has said he has hinted that he plans to try and simplify things for the defense as much as possible here in year 1, and more likely just expand on the concepts and terminology the players have been accustomed to while adding his own wrinkles and concepts in. He wasn’t brought in to reinvent the wheel, he was brought in to help take our defense to the next step and be a bit better than the last guy. We have some really promising young talented players all over the defensive line, especially at end in my opinion. Now, no one player may replicate what Abdul Carter did, but year after year we seem to find and develop top d ends just go back to Chop Robinson. Granville could develop into a guy like that, same with a few other guys. Email white could end up being a key rotational piece. Lord knows the talent is there. The main concern IMO on the defense is finding that reliable run stopping LB that can take on blocks and play in position consistently. I think we have a few guys that could fill that role really well. My sleeper on the defense this year is Wylie. I think as long as he is healthy he will turn some heads this year and be a huge asset to the D. We need guys to step up like Jaylen Reed did for us last year. Corner should be much improved. Can’t get much worse than Tez Johnson having his way with our secondary last year and a CB I will not name falling over his own feet giving up the game tying long TD pass to ND which would have likely changed the outcome had we had come up with a stop there or at least held them to a FG. Young and unproven players all across the conference will have to step up and fill the shoes of very talented players that moved on to the next level. Just look at Michigan’s D Line and top CB, Ohio states d line and multiple players for Oregon. It’s part of the game.

Not even trolls under a bridge listen to Wallace Breen

 

[RickinDayton]

If only Moorehead could coach this defense

Yeah, Breen is over-the-top in regard to his negativity. Some of his concerns are valid but his overall assessment is off base. This will be a strong defense, not elite, but strong and certainly good enough for 10-11 wins with the offensive production.

 

[voltz99]

Not sure why PSU would really need 6 starting caliber LB's when the current defense plays with 2 more than half the time and most teams including PSU don't liberally substitute at LB. It would be more of a luxury than a necessity. Even with some nicks and bruises. Rojas, DeLuka, Campbell, Wylie, Speca, Nelson and Jackson. Plus the developing Arrington and Tatsch. s.

Because some of them can't play.

 

[AWS1022]

And here comes the clown who doesn't get the concept of reading comprehension.

I didn’t know there were other ways to read “we’re going to stink, 7-5 at best.” I must have missed that in school.

 

[AWS1022]

WB would pick apart the 1994 offense

And probably the offense and say he was the only one smart enough to notice their weaknesses.

 

[Delcolion915]

The defense will be better than last year. The system runs just fine when the coach is given 100 percent freedom to run it his way. Don't listen to the false narrative from the Ohio State fans about how it was Day that ran the defense...it was not. Knowles has been here now from the jump and the system is already installed. This will be the best defense AND offense of the Franklin era.

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

The defense will be better than last year. The system runs just fine when the coach is given 100 percent freedom to run it his way. Don't listen to the false narrative from the Ohio State fans about how it was Day that ran the defense...it was not. Knowles has been here now from the jump and the system is already installed. This will be the best defense AND offense of the Franklin era.

I think Tom Allen was an average DC at best, jmo. We will have a DC now that is prepared for teams at the start of the games. Not just waiting until halftime for adjustments for things that should have been game planned for before the kickoff.

 

[Wallace Breen]

The defense will be better than last year. The system runs just fine when the coach is given 100 percent freedom to run it his way. Don't listen to the false narrative from the Ohio State fans about how it was Day that ran the defense...it was not. Knowles has been here now from the jump and the system is already installed. This will be the best defense AND offense of the Franklin era.

That would be awesome by highly unlikely. If the D could equal 24, I would be happy. Right now there doesn't appear to be a single player on the D that starts on either 14 or 15. Maybe DDS. Offensively, would be the better bet but even then, gimmick laden offenses tend to fair poorer in year two after opposing coordinators know how it is being implemented.

 

[Wallace Breen]

Yeah, Breen is over-the-top in regard to his negativity. Some of his concerns are valid but his overall assessment is off base. This will be a strong defense, not elite, but strong and certainly good enough for 10-11 wins with the offensive production.

I never said the defense would be bad. I said it would take a step or two backwards. A couple steps backward from very good is still pretty good.