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 4 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M fall, but it now appears he will miss the season with an injury. Michael Johnson Jr., QB Johnson, from Oregon, redshirted in 2019 and left the program in 2020. He's now at Florida Atlantic, where his father is the offensive coordinator and quarter- backs coach. T.J. Jones, WR Jones played in seven games in 2020 but did not have a catch. He later trans- ferred to Alabama-Birmingham, where he is on the 2021 roster. Joey Porter Jr., CB A third-team All-Big Ten pick in 2020 after making 33 stops and recording a sack in eight games, Porter is set to start again at cornerback this fall. He also saw time as a true freshman and is one of the team's budding stars. Ta'Quan Roberson, QB By virtue of Will Levis's transfer, Roberson was the de facto backup quar- terback entering preseason practice despite having made only two brief game appearances in two years and attempt- ing just one pass to this point in his career. Coach James Franklin has said he's shown flashes but must be more consistent. Tyler Rudolph, S Rudolph is one of many players who have a shot at the starting safety job op- posite Brisker despite minimal game ex- perience. In two years, he has one tackle in eight games played. Brandon Smith, LB Smith is expected to be a thumper and one of the stars of Brent Pry's defense this year. The former four-star recruit leaped forward in 2020 with 37 tackles (eight for loss), two sacks and an inter- ception while starting all nine contests. The Lions' defense will go as he goes in 2021. Brenton Strange, TE Strange started to showcase his super skill set even before Pat Freiermuth was lost for the balance of last season with an injury. He caught 17 passes for 164 yards and two scores while putting impressive blocking skills on display. Hailing from West Virginia, he is the team's next pos- sible star at tight end. Smith Vilbert, DE Vilbert was not a lock to see time dur- ing his first two seasons on campus but ended up having a quarterback hurry and half a tackle during four contests in 2020. He's another player who, with a big offseason step, could earn more playing time than expected this year. Caedan Wallace, OG The Lions appear to have a pair of true bookend tackles in Rasheed Walker and Wallace, who made seven starts on the right side last year and is expected to get all of them now. He also appeared in four games as a true freshman. Anthony Whigan, OT Whigan could see backup duty during his second season with the Nittany Lions following a couple of years at Lackawa- nna College. Then again, during an open practice in April he earned some first- team guard reps, so don't count him out of the starting 11 just yet. Marquis Wilson, CB A speedster from Connecticut, Wil- son was a fine cornerback who might be even better as a receiver, which is why the Lions decided to try him there in the spring. If his hands and route running match his agility, Penn State's attack could have a fun new weapon at its dis- posal. Sal Wormley, OG Like Whigan, Wormley has been working toward earning more playing time during his third college season and also received significant reps in April. Phil Trautwein has plenty of players to choose from when filling out his first five, and Wormley is in the mix. ■ Joey Porter Jr. was a third-team All-Big Ten pick in 2020 at cornerback. He had 33 tackles on the season (24 solo) to go along with two tackles for loss, one sack and four pass breakups. 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: 11th Players Still At Penn State: 18 When you scan the list of play- ers still at Penn State, some have already made a big impact but more are almost guaranteed to do likewise as the years go by. This was a very solid recruiting job in a smaller class. Top Contributor To Date S JAQUAN BRISKER: It's nearly a tie be- tween him, Cain, Porter and Smith, but only one is receiving All-America hype based on previous production. Unsung Hero TE BRENTON STRANGE: Tight end play could have dropped off when Freiermuth went down, but Strange ensured it did not and is willing to do the dirty work in the trenches. Ready To Make An Impact This Fall DT HAKEEM BEAMON: The North Caro- lina native has all the tools to have a break- out season and received a lot of attention from peers and coaches this spring. B+