In my "Phil Grosz's Inside Look at Penn State Football" last Thursday [July 2], I took a detailed look position-by-position on offense what Penn State's scholarship situation would look like for the class of 2016. In this "Inside Look" I'll look at Penn State's scholarship situation on defense for the class of 2016.
So, let's get right to it. I'll begin my discussion with the defensive tackle position on the defensive line.
Defensive Tackle--- I don't think there is anyone that disagrees with the statement the the No. 1 priority Penn State has in recruiting on defense for the class of 2016 is at the defensive tackle position on the defensive line. That's because most people expect Austin Johnson and Anthony Zettle to be playing in the NFL for the 2016 season. Also NT Tarow Barney will graduate after the upcoming 2015 season unless he is redshirted for this fall.
That would leave just three projected scholarship DTs presently on Penn State's roster for the 2016 season. Those three individuals are: Rs.So. Parker Cothren [6-5, 292], Rs.Fr. Antoine White [6-1, 294] and true freshman Robert Windsor [6-4, 290].
However, there is a slight possibility you could see two additional DT prospects on Penn State's scholarship roster for the 2016 season. Two members of the Nittany Lions' class of 2015 are possible 3-technique DT prospects. Kamonte Carter checked in at 6-4, 272 on June 29 and Ryan Buchholz checked in at 6-5 255. Buchholz said he expects to be at 265 before the start of the season. From what I'm hearing Carter seems destined to end up at the 3-technique DT position, but it is more up in the air for Buchholz. He is still an excellent strongside DE candidate.
So far Penn State has landed three quality DTs in its class of 2016. They are: Christian Colon [6-3, 309], Michael Dwumfour [6-2, 288] and Ellison Jordan [6-0, 270]. Colon is a 1-techniqueDT, Jordan is a 3-technique DT and Dwumfour can play both DT positions.
Penn State is still actively recruiting 4-star DT Kamaro Dioubate [6-4, 278], 3-star DT Sulamin Kamara [6-1, 292] and JUCO DTs Tyrell Chavis [6-5, 305] and Handsome Tanielu [6-2, 305], plus 5-star DT Rashan Gary [6-4, 295]. Gary is the longest of shots, but Dioubate, Kamara, Chavis and Tanielu I believe are legitmate shots.
PSU I believe leads for Dioubate. Kamara says that North Carolina, Penn State and I believe Wake Forest might be the schools recruiting him the hardest and I really believe Coach Franklin wants one JUCO DT ready to play for the 2016 season. That means I expect Penn State to sign four, but preferably five DTs in its class of 2016.
Projected No.---[4, but preferably 5]
Defensive End--- The situation at defensive end is much different than what exists at defensive tackle for the 2016 season. The only DE that graduates after the upcoming 2015 season is strongside DE Carl Nassib [6-7, 274] and Evan Schwan [6-6, 265] will be the only senior at DE on the roster. The projected starters at DE for 2016 will be Rs.So. Garrett Sickels [6-4, 262] and/or Rs.So. Curtis Cothran [6-5, 258], Schwan or Rs. Fr. Torrence Brown [6-3, 256].
You'll also have Buchholz, Kevin Givens [6-1, 240], Shareef Miller [6-5, 242] and possibly Carter at DE from the class of 2015. That's why I believe Penn State will sign just three DE prospects in the class of 2016.
Penn State has already received verbals from 4-star DE Shane Simmons [6-3, 224] and 3-star strongside DE Daniel Joseph [6-3, 245] and are actively recruiting three 4-star DEs Cameron Brown [6-6, 210], Oluwole Betiku [6-4, 240] and Kyree Campbell [6-3, 268], plus 3-star DE/OLB Shaka Toney and don't ask me what his official weight is. Too many different reports.
Can't believe Penn State will not sign three DEs.
Projected No.---[3 with a small chance for 4]
This is once again getting too long, I'll have the situations at LB, safety and CB in a Part 2 segment this afternoon.
So, let's get right to it. I'll begin my discussion with the defensive tackle position on the defensive line.
Defensive Tackle--- I don't think there is anyone that disagrees with the statement the the No. 1 priority Penn State has in recruiting on defense for the class of 2016 is at the defensive tackle position on the defensive line. That's because most people expect Austin Johnson and Anthony Zettle to be playing in the NFL for the 2016 season. Also NT Tarow Barney will graduate after the upcoming 2015 season unless he is redshirted for this fall.
That would leave just three projected scholarship DTs presently on Penn State's roster for the 2016 season. Those three individuals are: Rs.So. Parker Cothren [6-5, 292], Rs.Fr. Antoine White [6-1, 294] and true freshman Robert Windsor [6-4, 290].
However, there is a slight possibility you could see two additional DT prospects on Penn State's scholarship roster for the 2016 season. Two members of the Nittany Lions' class of 2015 are possible 3-technique DT prospects. Kamonte Carter checked in at 6-4, 272 on June 29 and Ryan Buchholz checked in at 6-5 255. Buchholz said he expects to be at 265 before the start of the season. From what I'm hearing Carter seems destined to end up at the 3-technique DT position, but it is more up in the air for Buchholz. He is still an excellent strongside DE candidate.
So far Penn State has landed three quality DTs in its class of 2016. They are: Christian Colon [6-3, 309], Michael Dwumfour [6-2, 288] and Ellison Jordan [6-0, 270]. Colon is a 1-techniqueDT, Jordan is a 3-technique DT and Dwumfour can play both DT positions.
Penn State is still actively recruiting 4-star DT Kamaro Dioubate [6-4, 278], 3-star DT Sulamin Kamara [6-1, 292] and JUCO DTs Tyrell Chavis [6-5, 305] and Handsome Tanielu [6-2, 305], plus 5-star DT Rashan Gary [6-4, 295]. Gary is the longest of shots, but Dioubate, Kamara, Chavis and Tanielu I believe are legitmate shots.
PSU I believe leads for Dioubate. Kamara says that North Carolina, Penn State and I believe Wake Forest might be the schools recruiting him the hardest and I really believe Coach Franklin wants one JUCO DT ready to play for the 2016 season. That means I expect Penn State to sign four, but preferably five DTs in its class of 2016.
Projected No.---[4, but preferably 5]
Defensive End--- The situation at defensive end is much different than what exists at defensive tackle for the 2016 season. The only DE that graduates after the upcoming 2015 season is strongside DE Carl Nassib [6-7, 274] and Evan Schwan [6-6, 265] will be the only senior at DE on the roster. The projected starters at DE for 2016 will be Rs.So. Garrett Sickels [6-4, 262] and/or Rs.So. Curtis Cothran [6-5, 258], Schwan or Rs. Fr. Torrence Brown [6-3, 256].
You'll also have Buchholz, Kevin Givens [6-1, 240], Shareef Miller [6-5, 242] and possibly Carter at DE from the class of 2015. That's why I believe Penn State will sign just three DE prospects in the class of 2016.
Penn State has already received verbals from 4-star DE Shane Simmons [6-3, 224] and 3-star strongside DE Daniel Joseph [6-3, 245] and are actively recruiting three 4-star DEs Cameron Brown [6-6, 210], Oluwole Betiku [6-4, 240] and Kyree Campbell [6-3, 268], plus 3-star DE/OLB Shaka Toney and don't ask me what his official weight is. Too many different reports.
Can't believe Penn State will not sign three DEs.
Projected No.---[3 with a small chance for 4]
This is once again getting too long, I'll have the situations at LB, safety and CB in a Part 2 segment this afternoon.
