Trimmings: Contributors on the rise in Penn State preseason camp
On Friday, we talked a little bit about more established players that stood out during Penn State’s August preseason camp. Today we’ll take it a step further. The Nittany Lions have been building depth and competition for a few weeks now, and as a result some previous backups have elevated their status on the depth chart.
Here are a look at five camp standouts that have turned it up in August.
Linebacker Kobe King
We’ll start off with a line that definitely won’t be overanalyzed and twisted 12 different ways. Kobe King was Penn State’s best linebacker in preseason camp. Obviously, that statement comes with the caveat of understanding what you’re reading. Is King the best or most talented linebacker on Penn State’s roster? Far from it. But he’s been the most consistent at a position that requires consistency above all else. King doesn’t have the playmaking ability of Abdul Carter or Curtis Jacobs, but he’s separated himself in the Mike battle and he’s set himself up to not be a liability in the middle, which was the source of much hand-wringing in the offseason. King has been instinctive in camp and brings it on a play-to-play basis. Last year was the first time that a Penn State linebacker did not lead the team in tackles since Marcus Allen in 2016. King may be the top candidate to get that streak back on track.
Safety Kevin Winston Jr
Of all four returning safeties, Kevin Winston Jr. by far got the fewest amount of snaps in the 2022 season. Winston played just 94 plays on defense in the regular season, but he could flip those numbers on their head in 2023. Winston turned a strong offseason into a strong camp. Many believe he’s the most talented guy in that room that should be pretty good all around. Speaking of all-around, Winston’s game isn’t just coverage or run support. He has done both well in camp. Right now he’s still backing up senior captain Keaton Ellis, but all of those guys will play a lot when healthy. Penn State doesn’t have a Tiig Brown back there yet, but Winston could be the closest thing to it.
Wide receiver Liam Clifford
Break out the lunch pail, we’re goin’ stereotyping. Penn State is still searching for guys to step up behind KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Tre Wallace before Sept. 2. Behind them is a cluster of guys who have talent, but maybe haven’t strung together the consistency of the first two. Liam Clifford is in that mix. He’s playing in the slot and he’s been a reliable target for whoever is throwing the ball. Clifford is probably more dynamic as an athlete than he’s given credit for, too. Good hands, good routes, and his consistency should work him into that rotation. Kaden Saunders had a nice last week of camp as well, so the level of play in the slot is moving in the right direction.
Defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg
Penn State’s group of defensive tackles have been overanalyzed this offseason, naturally. Part of that was the expected rise of Jordan van den Berg based on his weight room exploits. He’s got that part down, that’s for sure. It’s the football aspect that was a bit lacking. van den Berg has come along in that regard through camp. There are still moments when he’s still learning and processing, but there have been more moments in camp when his athleticism translates. Those are the moments that will have to come out more consistently, but van den Berg has moved up the pecking order in what has been a solid camp for the defensive tackles. Senior D’Von Ellies had the most productive camp of his career, as well.
Cornerback Johnny Dixon
So Johnny Dixon bucks the trend of what I was going for in this piece, but this is more a mea culpa after my piece on Friday. Truth be told, we heard great things about both Kalen King and Dixon in camp this month. I went with King, as he’s more of the proven commodity. After that, feedback from program sources that read the piece argued that Dixon had the better camp. Far be it from me to argue there. Dixon will get tested more this fall with King and his reputation on the other side, so his camp performance needs to carry over. He’s senior eligible with two years remaining thanks to Covid, but all signs point to Dixon moving on after this season. Hopes are high that he’ll establish himself as a mid-rounder with plenty to play for. Dixon told us this offseason that his focus was on playing physical but smart. He’ll need to be less handsy this year, but he’s hoping to cash in on a strong offseason.
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