Blue White Illustrated

September 2021

Penn State Sports Magazine

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4 2 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M BY GREG PICKEL | GPIC92@GMAIL.COM A series of commitments between May and August propelled Penn State's Class of 2019 to No. 11 in the Rivals Team Rankings. Of the 23 signees, 18 remain with the Nittany Lions, while five have moved on from the program. Here is what they've accomplished so far: Hakeem Beamon DE Beamon has grown into a defensive tackle, and he'll be part of the backup mix behind P.J. Mustipher and Derrick Tangelo. In 11 contests, Beamon has nine tackles (1.5 for loss) but flashed a bit in 2020. Jaquan Brisker, S Brisker is one of the most important members of the Nittany Lions' defense heading into the 2021 season. He starred in a big way in his second year after transferring from Lackawanna College and lately has been receiving preseason All-America nods. In 22 games at Penn State, he has 89 tackles and three inter- ceptions. Noah Cain, RB An undisclosed injury cost Cain all but a few snaps of the 2020 season, and other health issues have popped up for a player who is as talented as anyone when on the field. He aims to build on his 2019 season, in which he gained 443 yards and equaled a PSU freshman record with eight rushing touchdowns. Joseph Appiah Darkwa, DT Darkwa, from Germany, has yet to see game action, but that was expected. He should find some kind of role, even if it's a small one, this fall. Lance Dixon, LB Dixon appeared to have a shot at start- ing after making 10 stops in nine games as a reserve in 2020, but he transferred to West Virginia this past offseason. John Dunmore, WR Dunmore was a highly regarded recruit who left the program after appearing in just one game. He initially appeared to be headed to Florida Atlantic but has since transferred to Oregon State. Dvon Ellies DT Ellies is one of several McDonogh School players on the roster, and he'll soon be joined by five-star 2022 defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton. He had a sack at Rutgers last year and two tackles against Illinois and figures to receive an expanded role in the defensive line rotation this fall. Keaton Ellis, CB Ellis has seen action as a starter and reserve, posting 30 tackles, an intercep- tion, five passes defended and three forced fumbles in 19 games. He moved to free safety this past spring and is in the mix there but will see plenty of action either way. Devyn Ford, RB Ford missed some time in 2020 due to injury but still had a career-high 67 carries in six games. He has 568 rushing yards and six touchdowns so far and will be used as part of a talented rotation of running backs this fall. Daequan Hardy, CB Hardy was pressed into action in 2020 when injuries mounted at his position. He played in all nine games and finished with 10 tackles, in addition to a sack and three pass breakups. The cornerback room is deep, but Hardy will likely see work both there and on special teams. Adisa Isaac, DE Isaac grew in a reserve role in 2020, posting 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks behind All-Big Ten ends Shaka Toney and Odafe Oweh. He had been expected to start this A preseason All-America selection, Jaquan Brisker has 89 tackles and three interceptions in 22 games at Penn State. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS BRACED FOR IMPACT This class could be on the verge of something big Class of 2019 REVIEW

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