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There aren't a lot of household recognizable names on the D, but there are plenty of good young players to count on. Things are a bit up in the air until the off-the-field problems of three of the defensive linemen are worked out. The secondary should be strong, while the baby 'backers could grow into something special. The key will be to get stronger against the run and to develop a consistent pass rush.
Star of the defense: Junior CB Alan Zemaitis
Player that has to step up and become a star: Sophomore LB BranDon
Snow
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore LB Paul Posluszny
Best pro prospect: Zemaitis
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Zemaitis, 2) DE/LB Derek Wake,
3) Posluszny
Strength of the defense: Secondary
Weakness of the defense: Linebacker experience
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Derek Wake, Jr. - Wake was a top linebacker last year making
71 tackles and four sacks coming off a knee injury. With his speed and pass
rushing ability he makes for a strong end which is where he'll line up this
year and become a terror in opposing backfields. He could end up back at
linebacker depending on the status of the suspended linemen.
- Defensive tackle Jay Alford, Soph. - A sprained knee limited him early,
and then he came on to making 25 tackles starting the final eight games.
He's a decent athlete able to get into the backfield and get up to bat down
passes.
- Defensive tackle Scott Paxson, Soph. - Paxson, a former linebacker, showed
flashes of talent as a freshman making 13 tackles and a sack to go along
with two blocked kicks. He's one of the more intense players on the line
helping him against the run.
- Defensive end Tamba Hali, Jr. - Part tackle, part end, Hali will move
to the outside, at least temporarily, because of the off-the-field issues
of other defensive ends. The 273-pound junior was the team's top run-stopping
lineman last year making 53 tackles, and now his job will be to hold the
line on the outside while Derek Wake cleans up on the other.
Top Backups
- DT John Shaw, Soph. - Shaw showed a bit of promise as a true freshman
making two tackles. He isn't huge, but he has great potential playing behind
Scott Paxson on the inside.
- DE Lavon Chisley, Jr. - Chisley was going to be the team's star defensive
end after making 41 tackles and four sacks last year, but he was suspended
due to off-the-field problems stemming from an alleged sexual assault case.
He's appealing the charges and it remains to be seen what his role with
the team will be.
- DE Matt Rice, Jr. - It remains to be seen what his status with the team
will be after being suspended for the summer for his alleged involvement
in a fight. He was a solid end last year making 32 tackles.
- DT Ed Johnson, Jr. - The 296-pound Johnson started three games and was
a reserve in the others making 26 tackles. He's a big player growing into
a top prospect, but he has to get back on the team after being suspended
for the summer for alleged off-the-field infractions.
The Skinny: Depending on the status of Matt Rice, Ed Johnson and
Lavon Chisley, this could either be one of the Big Ten's deepest lines or
else just another average group. The return of the ends would be a big boost
to the overall defense allowing for Derek Wake to possibly return to linebacker
and Tamba Hali to move back to tackle. In any event, the line has to be
better against the run and there has to be more of a pass rush. The rating
is assuming the suspended players will be back.
Player to keep an eye on: Scott Paxson ... Defensive Line Rating: 7.5
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Paul Posluszny, Soph. - Here's the new star of the Penn State defense.
The 228-pound sophomore was tremendous this spring coming off a good true
freshman season making 36 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss even after not
playing in the first four games of the year. He's a versatile playmaker
with the speed to handle the job on the outside and the strength and instincts
to move to the middle if needed.
- BranDon Snow, Soph. - The former fullback worked his tail off this off-season
and has the makings of a strong middle linebacker. He'll be a quick, physical
player on the inside once he returns from a foot injury that will keep him
out until October..
- Tim Shaw, Soph. - Shaw redshirted last year moving from running back to
linebacker. He spent the off time learning the position and should be good
once he gets more playing time adding great speed to the corps.
Top Backups
- J.R. Zwierzynski, Soph. - He was one of the nation's top running back
recruits, but now he's more suited to linebacker with his strength and quickness.
He'll back up Paul Posluszny on the outside and should also see a little
bit of action at fullback.
- Dan Conner, Fr. - Connor was a star high school fullback but projects
to be an elite linebacker. He made 141 tackles and 11 sacks in his senior
season to go along with his 77 career rushing scores. He'll backup Tim Shaw
on the outside.
The Skinny: The linebacking corps loses Gino Capone and Deryck Toles
and their 175 combined tackles last year along with, possibly, Derek Wake's
production moving to the line. This is a very young group with five underclassmen
playing the biggest roles, but there's a ton of talent and plenty of good
players to get excited about. If Wake moves back to linebacker, this will
be one of the better unsung corps in the Big Ten.
Player to keep an eye on: Paul Posluszny ... Linebacker Rating: 6
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Anwar Phillips, Jr. - He'll get the starting nod on the other
side of Alan Zemaitis after starting two games last year and breaking up
four passes. He'll take over Rich Gardner's former spot.
- Hero Calvin Lowery, Sr. - The super-quick Lowery will man the Hero, or
strong safety, spot finally appearing to be back to form after a broken
leg knocked him out two years ago. He made 20 tackles last season and is
the team's top punt returner.
- Free safety Chris Harrell, Sr. - Harrell and Andrew Guman split time at
free safety last year and will do so again. The 6-2, 201-pound senior made
49 tackles last year and has 140 stops over his career. He can move over
to Hero if needed.
- Cornerback Alan Zemaitis, Jr. - He's an All-Big Ten talent who didn't
get the recognition he should've last year. The 6-2, 194-pound junior did
it all making 71 tackles to go along with a team-leading four interceptions,
including one 90 yards and another 78 yards for a touchdown, and he also
led the Big Ten with 18 broken up passes. He's not just a great all-around
corner, he's a leader of what should be a good secondary.
Top Backups
- Free safety Andrew Guman, Sr. - Call him starter #1A along with Chris
Harrell. Guman is the team's biggest defensive back at 6-3 and 211 pounds
and is a smart veteran. The Academic All-Big Ten selection isn't the player
Harrell is when the ball is in the air, but he's like another linebacker
against the run.
- Cornerback Brent Wise, RFr. - The young Wise was one of the stars of the
spring proving that he'll be a factor in the cornerback mix all season long.
He's an impressive ball-hawk with great cover skills.
The Skinny: This should be one of the Big Ten's surprise units,
at least to those who didn't notice that this was the nation's third ranked
pass defense last year, as Alan Zemaitis leads a potentially strong secondary.
There's a nice mix of athletic youth and hard-nosed veterans able to adapt
to whatever style of team they have to face from the tough running offenses
to the pass happy attacks.
Player to keep an eye on: Brent Wise ... Secondary Rating: 8
Special Teams
- Placekicker Robbie Gould, Sr. - Gould has become deadly from midrange
in and inconsistent from deep hitting all seven of his field goals from
within 40 yards and going 2 of 8 from beyond. He has a good leg, he just
has to be able to consistently connect from deep to be one of the nation's
better kickers.
- Punter Jeremy Kapinos, Jr. - Kapinos had a good first year averaging 41.9
yards per kick putting 13 inside the 20. He's a big player with a strong
leg and is just starting to develop some touch. He could stand to get a
little more air under his kicks, but that's nitpicking.
The Skinny: The kicking game will be among the best in the Big Ten,
but everything else needs work. The coverage units allowed a whopping 24.3
yards per kickoff return 12.5 yards on punt returns. Averaging 15.3 yards
per kickoff return is inexcusable.
Special Teams Rating: 6.5
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