Better or Worse? Penn State Linebackers
Penn State football is finalizing preparations for the 2023 season, with fall camp starting late next month. Before the season gets here, we will examine each position on the offense and defense to see if that unit will be better or worse than last season.
If you think back to this time last year, the Penn State linebackers were a major question mark heading into the 2022 season. The team lost two starters, Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks, and had major questions at middle linebacker.
Now? Well, if you are a Penn State fan, you know how this will go.
Penn State linebackers flip the script
There’s no reasonable way you can look at the Penn State linebacker room this year and think it will be worse than the previous season. Freshman linebacker Abdul Carter turned the position on its head by forcing his way into the starting lineup. Despite not starting until Week Eight of the 2022 season, Carter finished second on the team in total tackles behind safety Tig Brown. He also led the team in sacks, tackles for loss, and tied for the lead in forced fumbles. He did that with just a few months of offseason work before training camp.
The possibilities feel limitless for the linebacker room. Veteran Curtis Jacobs is back and better than ever after deciding to return for his fourth season at Penn State. The major sticking point for this group is keeping both players on the field simultaneously. The good news is that both players are extremely versatile and can play multiple positions on first, second, and third down. Keeping track of where Carter and Jacobs line up will be a full-time job for opposing quarterbacks and centers.
The team also returns both contributors at middle linebacker from last season. Tyler Elsdon didn’t participate in spring football but should be back for fall camp. That absence allowed redshirt sophomore Kobe King to soak up as many reps as possible. With the possibility of moving Jacobs and Carter to this position in specialty sub-packages, the team is well covered with depth and talent at both box linebacker positions.
The thinking outside the box
The field linebacker position took a turn this spring with the ascendance of freshman Tony Rojas. At this point, his progress during the spring and his impressive physical transformation has been well documented. How much of an impact will he have in 2023? That entirely rests on how much progress he can make mentally, but he’ll be a factor.
The most realistic option is that Jacobs will continue his split duties as a box and field linebacker, starting on the field side and flipping to the Will linebacker. Redshirt sophomore and special team captain Dom DeLuca carved out a role as a valuable spell player for the team last season and should elevate into a regular in the rotation now that Jonathan Sutherland is off to the NFL.
Beyond the player we expect to contribute, there’s been positive momentum with Rojas’ partner in crime, Ta’Mere Robinson. The other have of “TnT” was a wildcard this spring, coming off a senior season where he didn’t participate, returning from an ACL injury. The mega-linebacker (6-5, 231 as a freshman) looked much more comfortable and progressed faster than expected. He’s not on a path to force his way into the lineup but is an optimistic projection for the position’s future.
Versatility leads the way
In just one season, Penn State’s linebackers went from a thin group of individuals to a big, fast, and explosive group at the center of the defense. However, our projections about this group’s versatility are all theoretical. Diaz and his players have been very tight-lipped about what they’re cooking up for Carter, Jacobs, and the rest of the group.
But the logic in our speculation is sound. The team now has the flexibility to play individuals in their best situation. Now, Elsdon and King can be early-down run-stuffers to suit their talents and then come off the field in favor of a different combination in the box. Carter can rush the passer or play in coverage, and Jacobs can fill in by doing a little of everything. It’s hard not to get excited about the possibilities this group presents.
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