Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1519242
3 2 M A 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 W hen Penn State found itself needing to hire a new defen- sive coordinator last December, head coach James Franklin acknowledged the loaded nature of the job. Replacing Manny Diaz and taking up the reins of a defense that finished the 2023 season ranked No. 2 nationally, No. 1 against the run and No. 3 in points allowed was going to be challenging. By all accounts, former Indiana head coach Tom Allen has risen to the occasion in his first four months at PSU. "He's done a fantastic job," corner- backs coach Terry Smith said this spring. "He's brought some new things, and he's kept some things defensively. I like what we're doing. His philosophy kind of in- tertwines with what we've already been doing, so it's a perfect match, and we feel good about it. "We're super happy he's here. He's done a fantastic job. The guys love him, the guys are playing hard for him, and that's all that matters." During their 15 spring practice ses- sions, which concluded with the Blue- White Game on April 13, the Nittany Lions demonstrated as much. Boasting a potent combination of pass-rushing pressure and tight coverage in the sec- ondary, the unit appears poised to main- tain its elevated state of play again this year. Here is a look at how the defense fared in its first spring under Allen's leadership: Defensive Line From the start of spring practice, ju- nior Abdul Carter's switch from out- side linebacker to defensive end was the most consequential storyline on this side of the ball. At first, Franklin struck a balance when discussing Carter's move, acknowledg- ing his pure talent while also pointing out that he was making a big switch, one that would demand attentiveness and dedica- tion above and beyond the norm. By the end of spring practice, Frank- lin was effusive about what he had seen throughout the team's offseason drills. "Abdul is very, very talented," he said. "The transition has probably gone better and faster than I thought it would. It's a different world up there. It sounds good, but it's a major difference, and he's transi- tioned very, very well. He's been physical. He's been explosive off the edge. There are still some things he's learning, but his transition has gone probably better and faster than anticipated." The More Things Change … Although it's under new leadership, Penn State hopes its defense can pick up where it left off in 2023 NATE BAUER | N AT E . B A U E R @ O N 3 . C O M Tom Allen brought four of his Indiana teams to Penn State while serving as the Hoosiers' head coach from 2017-23. The Blue-White Game was his first time coaching in Beaver Stadium as a member of the Nittany Lions' staff. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL