Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543434
4 2 M A R C H 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 2 6 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / P enn State has been through a lot of changes on the de- fensive side of the ball in recent years. As part of the Lasch Building overhaul, PSU might as well have in- stalled a revolving door outside the defensive coordinator's of- fice. D'Anton Lynn, who was hired in January after two seasons at USC, is the team's fifth defensive coordinator in six seasons. His two immediate predecessors, Jim Knowles and Tom Allen, lasted just one season apiece. The changes this year are even more extreme due to the personnel revamp that has taken place since Matt Campbell was named head coach. Campbell and his staff brought in 17 defensive transfers during the January portal window, with nine of those newcomers arriving from Iowa State. Here's a look at the Lions' incoming defenders. Caleb Bacon | LB R-Sr. | 6-4 | 240 Iowa State | Lake Mills, Iowa On3 Transfer Portal Ranking: HHHH, No. 8 LB Rivals Industry Ranking (2021): N/R Bacon led Iowa State's linebacker corps with 652 snaps played last season. He piled up 58 tackles, including 9.5 for loss and 3 sacks, while adding 4 quarterback hurries, 3 pass break- ups and a forced fumble. One of his top performances came in Iowa State's regular-season finale in late November. Bacon was named the Big 12's defender of the week after registering 3 sacks in a win over Oklahoma State. A former walk-on, Bacon earned a scholarship following the 2023 season. He suffered a season-ending injury early in the 2024 campaign but came back strong last fall. Bacon has one year of eligibility left. Cael Brezina | LB Jr. | 6-3 | 235 Iowa State | Downers Grove, Ill. On3 Transfer Portal Ranking: HHH, No. 49 LB Rivals Industry Ranking (2024): HHH, No. 97 LB Brezina played in all 12 games for Iowa State last fall, finish- ing with 29 tackles and a forced fumble in 328 snaps. He had the third-highest defensive grade among those who played more than five games for the Cyclones, earning a 72.7 overall rating from Pro Football Focus. That figure included a team- best 82.7 tackling grade. The Downers Grove, Ill., native made seven starts as a true freshman in 2024, finishing his first year in Ames with 22 tackles, including 3 for loss, and had a fumble recovery in the Cyclones' victory over Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Brezina started at the Sam position but saw action at all three linebacker spots in Iowa State's 3-3-5 defense last sea- son. With Penn State's staff transitioning to a new scheme under Lynn, that kind of versatility figures to come in handy. LIONS REPLENISH DEFENSE AT ALL THREE LEVELS RYA N S N Y D E R A N D G R E G P I C K E L | B L U E W H I T E I L L U S T R AT E D Capable of playing multiple positions in the secondary, Jeremiah Cooper was listed by On3 as the No. 7 cornerback in the transfer portal this year. JEFF SPOUR/IOWA STATE ATHLETICS