Penn State spring progress report: What’s next at cornerback?
Typically, the departure of three cornerbacks seemingly headed for NFL careers would be cause for concern at Penn State or in any other college football program.
The Nittany Lion secondary has proven atypical in that regard this spring. Shepherded by assistant coach Terry Smith, who has helped create a consistent line of top-end talent in the room during his 10 years leading the position, Penn State appears poised to again continue that streak in 2024.
Today, we continue our look at the players best positioned to create that impact this fall.
(Review our offensive breakdowns on the offensive line, tight ends, receivers, running backs, quarterbacks, defensive ends, and linebackers.)
What did we learn about the Penn State cornerbacks this spring?
There are two places to start when evaluating Penn State’s cornerbacks. Speaking with reporters this spring, Smith addressed both in detailing the status of the room as it transitioned from one stage to the next in its evolution.
“We lost three guys that we think will potentially get drafted this year,” said Smith. “But, I think this room might be deeper. My challenge right now is to figure out the first two guys that go out there to start and then who are the rotation guys. Where to put them all and how much to play them all.
“These guys have created some challenges in that sense and that’s a good thing. So it’s a lot deeper today than on day one in spring ball.”
On the front end, the Nittany Lions have to acknowledge their losses. Daequan Hardy emerged as the surprise highest pick in this past weekend’s NFL Draft, going in the sixth round to the Buffalo Bills while Kalen King went in the seventh round to Green Bay and Johnny Dixon, injured at the Senior Bowl, went undrafted altogether. An undeniably disappointing result given the high expectations for the trio turning the corner into their NFL futures, it doesn’t negate the productivity and high-end performances, particularly from King in 2022 and Dixon in 2023, and what that means for Penn State.
It is, in every sense, a top-level question to resolve.
What questions remain?
Paired with Cam Miller, the unquestioned leader of the room, the emergence of Georgia transfer A.J. Harris has helped to create optimistic conditions for the fall. It is a whirlwind of competition that also features transfer Jalen Kimber and returning, rising talent like Zion Tracy, Elliot Washington, and spring breakout Audavion Collins. Those decisions were unsettled coming out of the spring for who Smith will pair together on the top line, and how it settles from there.
Which is, in effect, the question to be answered.
Does Penn State have NFL-caliber talent to replace its NFL-caliber talent?
It has established that it has the depth to go into the fall feeling comfortable. There are more than enough names ready and able to pitch in and leave Penn State confident that “next man up” can apply if and when needed.
But, against a schedule that now features two of the 2023 season’s top passing offense, the Nittany Lions are counting on both identifying and developing the performers who can help stymie those aerial attacks.
Talk about it with our premium members in the Lions Den, here!
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