Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1514597
3 8 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 2024 LOOK AHEAD KEY LOSSES Curtis Jacobs | Sr. Could have returned for a fifth and final season but instead declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on Dec. 15. Playing in the first half of the Peach Bowl, Ja- cobs wrapped his four-year collegiate career with 171 total stops, 24 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. As a pass de- fender, he also made 2 interceptions with 5 passes broken up over his four seasons of action. KEY RETURNEES Abdul Carter | Jr. May be ticketed for a new role in 2024 as a pass-rushing defensive end, hav- ing demonstrated dynamic playmak- ing repeatedly in his two years with the Nittany Lions. Listed at 6-foot-3, 249 pounds, Carter is only five pounds lighter than Chop Robinson's listed weight for the 2023 season. He now boasts 11 career sacks, so his proficiency as a defensive weapon isn't in doubt, it's simply a matter of how new coordinator Tom Allen and the Nittany Lions' de- fensive staff can best utilize him. Dominic DeLuca | R-Jr. Demonstrated his nose for playmak- ing as a reserve in the Nittany Lions' linebacker corps. DeLuca, a former walk-on who is now on scholarship, finished seventh on the team in tack- les with 29, including 4.5 for loss and a sack. He also tied for the team lead with 2 interceptions to go along with a pair of forced fumbles, and added blocked punt against UMass in October. Tyler Elsdon | Sr. Has played extensively in each of the past three seasons and will return for a fifth and final year in 2024. Despite re- linquishing his starting Mike linebacker role to Kobe King ahead of the 2023 campaign, Elsdon showed improvement throughout the year, finishing with 21 tackles in a reserve role. Kaveion Keys | R-Fr. Played in just two games, preserv- ing his freshman eligibility for 2024. Against Delaware and UMass, though, the linebacker appeared on seven snaps and made 1 tackle against the Blue Hens. Kobe King | R-Jr. Was promoted to the starting Mike linebacker role and blossomed in his third year with the Nittany Lions. King finished second on the defense in tackles with 59 for the season and also was cred- ited with 5 pass breakups, an interception and 2 fumble recoveries in his 393 snaps played at the position. After his second full season as a heavy contributor, King is now up to 103 tackles for his career. Ta'Mere Robinson | R-Fr. Spent the 2023 season on the scout team after missing his senior season of football in high school. Robinson did, however, appear in two games at Mike linebacker while preserving his redshirt. Tony Rojas | So. Instantly demonstrated his prepared- ness for the college stage, appearing in 10 games while taking 122 snaps and fin- ishing as Penn State's fourth-highest- graded defender according to Pro Foot- ball Focus. For the season, Rojas finished with 18 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, and had an interception and a forced fumble. Keon Wylie | R-So. Appeared in every game as one of the Nittany Lions' backup linebackers this past season. Wylie made 17 tackles, in- cluding 5 for loss and 3 sacks, setting him up for a potentially expanded role as a redshirt sophomore next season. NEWCOMERS Kari Jackson | Fr. Expected to help boost Penn State's long-term depth as a box linebacker. Jackson arrived as a January enrollee coming off a missed senior season at West Bloomfield (Mich.) High due to a shoulder injury. He carries with him the No. 569 overall ranking, and No. 53 at linebacker, in the On3 Industry Ranking for the 2024 class. Anthony Speca | Fr. Was ranked No. 476 overall in the 2024 class and No. 44 as a linebacker. Speca won't enroll until the summer but is expected to begin his Nittany Lion career as a box linebacker. 2024 Outlook So much of Penn State's outlook at line- backer for the 2024 season will be dictated by what happens with Carter. Certainly, a shift to the defensive line would take one of the most dynamic playmakers at the position and, in turn, leave the Nittany Lion linebackers with- out that presence. Penn State's confidence in making that sort of move, though, could be emboldened by the clear ascent of Rojas through one season as a Nittany Lion. Proving worthy of the staff's confidence thanks to his frequent playmaking in limited action as a true freshman, Rojas could be in line to burst into the starting lineup. Either way, the Nittany Lions return consid- erably more experience and talent than they lose with Jacobs' departure. — Nate Bauer PSU Returns An Abundance Of Talent And Experience Abdul Carter totaled 11 sacks in his first two seasons and may be in line for a new role under first-year defensive coordinator Tom Allen. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL LINEBACKERS