I'm excited to see this group play next year, because I feel it's going to be a next level unit. If I had to pick the two-deep now based on talent and readiness for next year, I'd probably say:
DE: Gross-Matos / Oweh -or- Tarburton
DT: Givens / Hansard
DT: Mustipher / Windsor
DE: Miller / Simmons
WLB: Parsons / *Luketa
MLB: Brooks / Smith (This could flip during the year)
SLB: Brown / *Luketa (I believe OLB will be Luketa's best position, not ILB. He may take over for Brown too)
DB: Reid / Johnson (Johnson would be the nickel DB)
FS: Wade / Monroe
SS: Taylor / Sutherland
DB: Castro-Fields / McPhearson
That's a defense who will dominate IMO. The ends have learned to stop giving up contain, and are getting to the QB consistently now. The middle will be beefier and more talented/experienced. All 4 positions up front will have multiple rotation options as well.
The LBs will be ready for the season, unlike this year. Each guy will know his assignments and not put up with much of the rotation nonsense. Jan Johnson was a good story, but I don't think he holds off Brooks or the uber talented freshman coming in. They are just physically better IMO. Luketa will move to the outside I believe, not needed him in the middle next year and I just think he's a more natural OLB anyway. He could take the SAM position from Brown. This will be the most improved part of the defense.
Reid has finally gotten over his ACL the past couple weeks, and is IMO playing lights out. His form has been stellar which bodes well for next year. Castro-Fields is a natural fit in the 2nd DB spot, but we have a good amount of options there too. Safeties will be good, whomever takes them over. I think the secondary will perform very well, especially since the front 7 will be so much better than this year. More pressure / less rushing yards usually translates to improved secondary play.
Not that this year is over... but man when I look at how the defense sets up for next year I'm excited. They will be ready and a beast from game 1.
Thanks for breaking that down Roam because we’ve got a few coming back that I thought was SR’s.
If I am not mistaken we only have 13 seniors on the entire roster, 5 of whom are starters. They are McSorley, Oruwariye, Scott, Thompkins, and Farmer.
Farmer is a starter in name only, Parsons is a major upgrade there. Scott is a good safety, but I think we have multiple options for next year that could be an improvement. Brisker is a guy I forgot about that could take his spot, he's a JUCO transfer. Thompkins is a good punt returner, but Hamler will probably take over there and we have tons of young WRs like Dotson and Shorter to step in. I think we upgrade there too.
That leaves Oruwariye and McSorley as really the only two big losses that I see. Oruwariye is a very good player, but I think Reid is better and will actually upgrade the #1 DB position next year. Last few games he's looked like his old self. Castro-Fields and others have looked like good, young DBs that will step in nicely.
Only real question mark in my mind for next year is QB. And it's a big one, but we have a lot of talent to choose from. It's Stevens position to lose, but if he isn't up to the task we have some real good youngsters too. The schedule also sets up nicely for the new QB to get in reps before the better teams come knocking.
I think Tommy S will be fine. He needs to play his game and not try to be another McS. He has a good arm and can run, but sometimes when he is in there it looks like he is trying to prove something....and he doesn't need to. In all fairness to the kid, JF has put him in some bad situations that didn't work out. Ever since the 1st quarter of the Ohio State game - when most of us didn't have a clue what Franklin was trying to do with Tommy in the 1st qtr - we all cringe when he is comes in the game now. I am still at a loss as to what Franklin is thinking every time he does this. Regardless, I think Tommy has a great arm, has the right height and can run. If he can get in to a groove the first couple of games next year, I think he will win some big games for Penn State.
I too can't wait to see this defense next year. I can't wait for them to play another good team in this year's bowl game. Would love to see Mcs go 3-0 and closing out his career with a big bowl win. The defense should put him in position to do this.
Go State!
Jaquan Brisker will battle and probably get one of the DB spots
Here's a thought ... you mentioned how you think Brown could get beat out of a position at OLB by Luketta. What is to say that Franklin will show loyalty to Brown and start him ahead of a "better" player just like he did with Farmer. I do realize the talent behind Farmer wasn't ready at the start of the season and hence his early start. But Brown will have more experience over any of the possible replacements, I guess only time will tell.
Certainly possible, but Brown was probably the best of the three game 1 starters anyway. I think we'd be good either way, but I do think Luketa is ultimately better
Why isn't Parsons getting more publicity as one of the top freshman in the country ? No other frosh leads his team in tackles. And what has happened to Shane Simmons? I thought the guy was a sure superstar but he has so far been nothig more than OK.
I think Simmons injury was more severe than we thought, which is why he was out half the year. I see he has gotten more reps each game, but I don't think they feel he is 100% yet. Even after all this time. They may have rushed him back if Miller wasn't playing well, but he and Matos have come along nicely.
