Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1400830
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 41 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P.J. Mustipher, DT An honorable mention All-Big Ten pick in 2020, Mustipher is expected to be a key piece of the defense during his sec- ond season as a starter. He's recorded 86 stops (seven for loss) and two sacks while aso forcing two fumbles and has played in 34 games over three seasons. Odafe (Jayson) Oweh, DE Now with the Baltimore Ravens, Oweh left school early for the pros after earn- ing All-Big Ten honors in 2020, when he made a career-high 38 tackles (6.5 for loss). He recorded seven career sacks and forced two fumbles and was one of the Lions' most athletic players for three years. Micah Parsons, LB A unanimous All-American in 2019, Parsons played only two seasons at Penn State before opting out of the 2020 sea- son and ultimately landing with the Dal- las Cowboys as a first-round draft pick. His Cotton Bowl performance will long be remembered, but he showed up in ev- ery game in which he played, totaling 192 stops, five sacks and four forced fumbles. He led the Lions in tackles in 2018 de- spite not starting. Jake Pinegar, K Pinegar has made 35 of 49 career field goal attempts, handling most kicks inside of 50 yards. He also boots extra points and will split time again with Jor- dan Stout this fall. Juice Scruggs, OG A car accident kept Scruggs off the field at the beginning of his career, but he's back and healthy and fighting for a starting job this fall. He's likely to win a first-team guard spot after suiting up for seven games in 2020. Justin Shorter, WR The former five-star prospect never found his footing at Penn State, catch- ing only 15 passes for 157 yards in two seasons. He transferred to Florida ahead of the 2020 season and finished his first year in Gainesville with 25 re- ceptions for 268 yards and three touch- downs. Ricky Slade, RB Slade flashed at times and was a true team player during his two seasons in State College. He racked up 92 carries for 471 yards and eight touchdowns but found himself as the odd man out in a stacked running back room and is now at Old Dominion. Nick Tarburton, DE Recurring health issues have hin- dered Tarburton, but he's earned high praise from the coaching staff and re- ceived a clean bill of health after spring practice. He had two tackles in nine games in his first two seasons. Rasheed Walker, OT Walker elected to return for the 2021 season instead of testing the pro waters. By the end of the season, he could be regarded as one of the game's best left tackles. He was a third-team All-Big Ten choice last year and has made 26 appearances with 22 starts. ■ P.J. Mustipher started all nine games at defensive tackle last season and had 35 tackles (12 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, two QB hurries and a pass breakup en route to earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS R E P O R T C A R D : Players In Class: 23 Rivals.com Team Ranking: No. 5 Players Still At Penn State: 11 This class had its misses (Shorter, Slade, Kuntz, to name a few). But it already has three members in the pros and will add a handful to that list one day, and some players could finally produce in key roles this fall. Top Contributor To Date LB MICAH PARSONS: The Harrisburg na- tive was an eraser for the Lions, even as he learned a new position during his freshman year. One can only wonder what records he would have set if COVID-19 had not kept him from a third season. Unsung Hero QB WILL LEVIS: Sure, he's gone now. But Levis did everything that was asked of him while in State College, picking up some key first downs and filling in when Sean Clifford needed a rest. The Lions would have been in trouble more often without him. Ready To Make An Impact This Fall OG JUICE SCRUGGS: There's a fascinat- ing fight for first-team reps going on in pre- season camp, but Scruggs has always had loads of potential. Now that he's healthy, it would be a surprise if he's not a significant contributor. B+