Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1305106
Luketa's off-season work on the practice field. "Jesse's attention to detail is through the roof right now," the redshirt junior middle linebacker said. "Me and him go back and forth with each other about different formations, different as- pects, just being a student of the game. He's played the Mike position as well, so it's like having two Mikes out there. He's great at communication, helps me get out calls, a very talkative guy. So he's like an- other coach on the field to me. He helps out the weak side of the defense, he helps get people straight. It's been a blessing to play beside him, and I think he's going to have a great year." Pry has seen it, too. "He's an animal right now, man. He's big, he's strong. He's taken ownership of the defense," the Lions' defensive coordinator said. "He's a guy who has played Will and Mike, and he has a real command for things. He re- minds me of Cabinda a little bit. He could say the wrong thing, and all 11 would do it for him. He's a take-charge guy. With the combination of him and Ellis out there right now, you've got two guys who have played the [Mike] position, so there's a lot of great communication going on. "Jesse is a powerful guy," Pry added. "He's got a big demeanor. He runs the show. He's just a real pres- ence out there on the field. And he knows this is his time. … So I couldn't be more excited about Jesse, excited about his opportu- nity, about what he brings to our defense. This guy is going to have a really, really nice season for us." Luketa's apparent readiness to step into TROPHY GAME Luketa (left) and Parsons hoist the Cotton Bowl championship trophy following the Nittany Lions' 53-39 victory over Memphis last De- cember. Parsons had 14 tackles in what would turn out to be his final game for Penn State. Photo by Steve Manuel