Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1276571
THE ELEVENTH HOUR L I N E B A C K E R S HONOR SYSTEM Parsons is a contender for multiple postseason awards. Photo by Steve Manuel lieved to be looking at new desig- nations, shi5ing away from "le5" and "right" tackles in favor of nose and three-technique spots. The previous designation maximized interchangeability, with everyone essentially lining up as a three- technique tackle. Now, players on the interior will have speci4c roles. The depth chart that Penn State released in April had Shelton manning the one-technique spot and Mustipher at the three. Mustipher said in the spring that he was working on "changing my body, losing a lot of fat but putting on muscle [so that] I'm lean, I'm moving well, and I'm being the disruptive player I want to be." If Shelton and Mustipher are the two best defensive tackles in the program, that makes Penn State's decision a simple one. They'll both start, and Mustipher will continue to make off-season changes to become more of a quick, sudden, athletic type of three-technique tackle, while Shelton will line up at nose tackle, his natural position. Other players will fill out the ro- tation, with the third and fourth players seeing frequent game ac- tion and the fifth and sixth players also getting reps. A year ago, four players – Mustipher, Shelton, Hansard and Windsor – were on the field for at least 196 snaps, while Culpepper got 92 defensive reps over nine games. With Shel- ton and Mustipher penciled in at the nose and three-technique tackle spots, that leaves Hansard as Shelton's primary backup and Culpepper in line to rotate in be- hind Mustipher. The competition for the 45h and sixth spots 4gures to include Ap- piah Darkwa, Beamon and Ellies. Also in the mix will be early en- rollees Mulbah and Brevard, up- perclassmen Hawkins and Presta, and true freshman Izzard. –N.B. This coming season is expected to be a showcase for LB Micah Parsons one of the most celebrated defensive players in the country , >>