Penn State Sports Magazine
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3 6 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 2 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M S P R I N G F O O T B A L L 2 0 2 2 a priority for him or for us at this stage," Franklin said. "It's going to have to be. But right now, I still think he's kind of feeling his way through that. But we're going to need that in the fall." At just about every opportunity, Ja- cobs has downplayed the adjustment involved with the position change. He points out that former Penn State de- fensive coordinator Brent Pry ensured he knew how to play all three linebacker positions. This, Jacobs figures, is just about applying that knowledge. The Nittany Lions are optimistic about how that application could go. Manny Diaz, Penn State's first-year de- fensive coordinator, sees a nearly per- fect fit. "I think he's at home at Will," Diaz said. "I think he's made for the spot. I think it fits his athleticism. He's an in- telligent guy, understands what's going on, can cover, can rush, can run. So, to me, when you're looking for what you want a Will linebacker to be, he kind of ticks all those boxes." To make proper use of his unlimited toolbox, Jacobs has to unlock it — and that requires confidence. At the peak of his potential, Jacobs pictures an aggressive, tough disruptor who is fueled by self-belief. Through his first two seasons on campus, he thinks he's acquired enough of that vital cur- rency to thrive in 2022. "A switch kind of flipped to me, I would say, last year," Jacobs said. "I started really being confident in my de- cisions. If I see something, attack it." ■ When third-year sophomore linebacker Tyler Elsdon finds himself need- ing a reminder of what's expected of him at Penn State, there's a long list of names he can punch into the YouTube search bar. Paul Posluszny. Sean Lee. LaVar Arrington. Dan Connor. And with Connor now a member of Penn State's staff, the Nittany Lions' tradition at linebacker is never too far away. "It really drives me to be a perfectionist," Elsdon said. "Even though per- fect isn't a thing, it makes me want to be damn close." Elsdon finds himself battling redshirt freshman Kobe King for the starting job at middle linebacker. New Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is in no rush to find a resolution. "I anticipate this being a battle, a competition where both guys are getting better through the spring," he said. "They'll improve in the summertime when we can't be around them. And it'll go on into training camp. I've been encouraged from what I've seen since we started spring practice." Diaz highlighted the need for Penn State's Mike linebacker to act as an organizer of sorts for the defense. He said Elsdon has handled that role well so far, even though he's yet to cross the 100-snap threshold at the collegiate level. Elsdon attributed his quick maturation to his relationship with former teammates Ellis Brooks and Jesse Luketa, both of whom had experience act- ing as the quarterback of the defense. "Those guys really kind of showed me the ropes, how to be a leader on the field," he said. "Being a Mike linebacker, you've got to be vocal. You've got to be a dominant figure on the field, whether that's physically, mentally or emotionally. And I've embraced that. I love being in a leadership role. I'm trying to grow as a leader." Elsdon called the competition between him and King a healthy one. He thinks King has noticeably matured since his first season at Penn State. "You look at him physically, he's ready," Elsdon said. "Mentally, he's ready. "When you lose other guys in the room, everybody has to step up, and I think everybody has. The competition itself is awesome. It keeps me on my toes. It keeps him on his toes, and it just drives us to get better." The attributes Elsdon hopes will win him the job center around his ability to communicate. "I'm doing my best to be super, super personable, to be a leader and help everyone," Elsdon said. "Kobe is the exact same way. I think that's a special thing about Mike linebacker. The people that are put in that position are usually people that care about the team." — David Eckert Manny Diaz Sees The Battle For Penn State's Starting MLB Spot Extending Into Preseason Camp Heading into his third year on campus, Tyler Elsdon is competing with redshirt freshman Kobe King for the starting middle linebacker position. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS