Penn State preview: Breaking down the defense

Jim Knowles arrived in Happy Valley with the reputation of the best collegiate defensive coordinator in the country. He also arrived with the reputation of having a scheme that can be tricky to master.

The Philadelphia native agreed that his defense takes some time for players to learn.

“I think in today’s game of football, it needs to be somewhat complicated because you need to have answers for everything, particularly at this level,” Knowles said. “Offenses don’t run the same things in college. You better have all different kinds of answers.

“For teaching and installing, I’ve gotten better at it. I’ve had to, particularly when you come into a situation like this. Our charge is to be great now. If it’s too complicated, or if I can’t get it installed quickly, that’s my fault. I think I’ve developed a process that helps move it along at a more rapid pace.”

Of course it’s easier to get the buy-in from players to learn the system when you’re coming off of a national championship season like Knowles had at Ohio State.

And it also helps to have a player like Dominic DeLuca in the middle of it all.

The fifth-year senior out of Wyoming Area is in his third year as a captain for the Nittany Lions, and he’ll take over as their “Mike” linebacker with Kobe King now in the NFL.

That means it will most often be DeLuca out there with the lone helmet on the defense able to get the radio signals from the coaches and communicate the play to the rest of the unit.

It’s a major responsibility, but one DeLuca has worked hard to earn, going from walk-on to special teams coverage ace to a player who came up with two interceptions in a College Football Playoff game, taking one of them back for the game’s opening touchdown.

Once upon a time, DeLuca played quarterback and safety to lead Wyoming Area to a state championship. But his knowledge and feel for the game have led him to be a major part of the history at Linebacker U.

“There is a skill to playing linebacker that a lot of it is innate and instinctual,” Knowles said. “And we’re at LBU. Had a lot of great ones here. You can just see those guys when you look at the past and how they made plays, a lot of it was through natural instinct, things you can’t teach.”

DeLuca will often be one of two linebackers on the field for Knowles’ defense, which uses five defensive backs as a base. Both DeLuca and fellow starter Tony Rojas have shown their athleticism and are both threats in coverage.

“This defense requires the linebackers to play more of a traditional linebacker and read things out a little bit more,” coach James Franklin said. “And in the secondary, we’ll just have more coverage diversity, which I think will be important because there’s going to be two or three games a year where you just can’t

line up and play man. And that coverage diversity will be important for us moving forward.”

North Carolina transfer Amare Campbell also figures to see his share of reps after coming over in the second transfer window, replacing Ta’Mere Robinson, who left for USC.

The Lions would also like to get Keon Wylie back on the field after his 2024 campaign was derailed by injury.

As for that secondary, Knowles raved about the work done by position coaches Terry Smith and Anthony Poindexter, giving him plenty to work with in the defensive backfield. Cornerback in particular is a strength with A.J. Harris looking to be the latest to perhaps give Penn State its first-ever first-round draft pick at corner after Joey Porter Jr. missed by one pick a few years ago.

Elliot Washington and Audavion Collins both figure to see time on the outside even if it is Washington who gets the starting nod on Saturday. And a pleasant surprise has come from California true freshman Daryus Dixon, who has quickly worked his way into the mix in a talented room.

While senior Zakee Wheatley has one safety spot locked down, the other may not be settled right at the start of the season. Dejuan Lane didn’t redshirt as a freshman last year but he faces a challenge from King Mack, who transferred back to Penn State after spending one season at Alabama. Antoine Belgrave-Shorter could also end up starting games.

As for the nickel spot, Knowles used more of a sure-tackling safety type there last season with the Buckeyes, but the Lions’ personnel means that job will typically be manned by more of a slot corner. That man looks to be Zion Tracy, who came up with a pick-six against Ohio State in 2024.

Of course, everything is predicated on the effectiveness of the defensive line, which loses Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Abdul Carter, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft.

The Lions were fortunate to be able to retain Dani Dennis-Sutton, who stepped up his game late last season and will be the new top pass rusher on the roster.

Sixth-year senior Zuriah Fisher has battled injuries and setbacks throughout his career, but coaches are confident in his ability if he’s able to stay on the field.

One name to watch on the edge is true freshman Chaz Coleman, whom the Lions were able to keep away from the Buckeyes right before signing day. Early feedback is strong on Coleman, who gives the Lions some needed depth along with Jaylen Harvey following a season-ending injury to another promising underclassman in Max Granville.

Last but certainly not least is the presence of Zane Durant at tackle who figures to be the player opposing offenses are most concerned with because of his burst, which disrupted teams throughout last season.

A preseason All-American, Durant is also a team captain who may be the most important piece on the entire defense. He will likely be joined by Alonzo Ford in the starting lineup as Ford has battled back from an injury that ended his season early.

Xavier Gilliam is the clear-cut next man up in the middle and should see plenty of work, as well.