Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1378330
also play a factor on the two-deep along the offensive line out of the senior class.) Defensively, the premise extends even further. Led by P.J. Mustipher, Tariq Castro- Fields and Jesse Luketa among the sen- ior class, all have started in games in at least two seasons during their Penn State careers. Meanwhile, Jaquan Brisker and Ellis Brooks each started all nine games a season ago. And although Jonathan Sutherland has just one career start in 2018, he's been a reliable pres- ence in Penn State's defensive back end each of the past three seasons and a mainstay on special teams. Plus, with the addition of Ebiketie, a six-game starter at Temple last season and a three-year contributor, the Nit- tany Lions were able to use the transfer portal to bring another highly experi- enced player to the defensive side of the ball. Put safety Ji'Ayir Brown and defen- sive tackles Derrick Tangelo and Fred Hansard into the conversation, and the list grows defensively, too. "A.K. is very athletic, great takeoff, great rush ability. He's got a lot of quali- ties," defensive coordinator Brent Pry said. "He's just a mature guy who is a good student of the game and has a good skill set as well. So he's going to play a lot of football." That so much of the anticipated two- deep has so much experience could prove to be a critical ingredient to a more positive path forward after last year's disappointing 4-5 finish. The Nittany Lions still need to sort out plenty of position battles. And with five newcomers having arrived in mid-May and more to come later this summer, this team is hardly devoid of youth. In fact, 50 of its 85 scholarship players have ei- ther freshman or sophomore eligibility. But the team also has a host of fourth- and fifth-year contributors, players with experience and potential. They should give Penn State the ability to prepare, practice and play like a veteran team, and that's an asset Franklin and com- pany will be happy to have in the months ahead. ■ As Sean [Lee] steps away from the game, all of us will miss watching him play. He was one of those guys, that when the Cowboys were on, you stopped what you were doing and just watched him play the game. His instincts and drive were as good as anyone I've ever seen. The same drive that Tom Bradley saw in him on a basketball court as a high school junior carried him through an incredible playing career. And it is even more likely to carry him in good stead as he begins the next phase of his life. JAY PATERNO STATECOLLEGE.COM The Nittany Lions might be shopping for another graduate transfer to play behind returning quarterback Sean Clifford. He's their only quarterback who has com- pleted a pass in college. Freshmen Ta'Quan Roberson and Christian Veilleux are the only other quarterbacks on the roster after Will Levis transferred to Kentucky and Micah Bowens left for Oklahoma. Nittany Lions coach James Franklin was im- pressed with Baylor transfer John Lovett during the spring, noting that he brings a breakaway threat his team lacked last season. Along with Noah Cain and Keyvone Lee, Penn State has a trio of capable running backs. MARK SCHLABACH ESPN.COM T H E M O N T H I N . . . O P I N I O N S JOE KRENTZMAN & SON, INC. • Buyers and Brokers of Steel, Iron and Nonferrous Metals • Industrial Scrap Buyers • Container Service Available • Large Service Territory Since 1903 Lewistown, PA • Hollidaysburg, PA • DuBois, PA (800) 543-2000 • www.krentzman.net F irst i n S cra p