Position breakdown: Penn State football defensive line guns for even greater rewards

Penn State football may have the most experienced defensive tackle group in the nation.

And one of the most dynamic sets of edge rushers.

It all makes for what should be another stellar defensive line in 2024 − one that may be somewhat undervalued leading up to Saturday’s season-opener at West Virginia. One that just may be even better than last year’s nationally-renowned group.

The Lions’ defensive tackle rotation features an astounding five seniors − including sixth-year standouts Dvon Ellies and Hakeem Beamon − who have started a combined 59 games in their careers.

There’s also this: The most intriguing if not talented of them all, junior Zane Durant, started another 11 games last season.

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 30: Hakeem Beamon #51 and Adisa Isaac #20 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrate a turnover on down against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Ryan Field on September 30, 2023 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

If anything, they hope to use their impressive seasoning to become a more disruptive group, making more big plays in the backfield. That’s the goal for likely starters Ellies and Durant − both honorable mention All-Big Ten picks − who were playing the best of their careers as last season ended.

They still will be expected, first and foremost, to occupy blockers and stop the run. That’ll leave most of the quarterback- and tailback-crushing duties to quite an intriguing quartet of defensive ends.

One that that may well prove more productive than last season’s starry combo of rush ends Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac, who helped lead the nation in sacks and tackles for loss.

Lions under pressure

On one side now is first-time starter and former five-star recruit Dani Dennis-Sutton, who looms larger than his listed 6-foot-5, 272 pounds.

On the other…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/position-breakdown-penn-state-football-040136499.html

Author : York Daily Record

Publish date : 2024-08-25 04:01:36

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