Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545675
A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 7 7 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / D E F E N S I V E B A C K S / / / / / / / this staff," he said in announcing his decision to return, "and I believe in the direction we're headed." To help get the Lions' new era off to a strong start, Collins has vowed to step into a more vocal leadership role. He's the most experienced member of a cor- nerbacks room that includes six players with freshman eligibility. As such, he knows he can't be satisfied with simply taking care of his own business. "I've got to do things I didn't do last year," he said. "I've got to bring other people along." If those people want to know how steadfast determination and attention to detail can turn an ambitious striver into a Big Ten starter and maybe even a pro prospect, Collins has a compelling story to tell. It's a story he's been living for years, one that has helped him push past his supposed limitations and may do so again in 2026. "I've been an underdog my whole life, so it's not new to me," Collins said. "I feel like I've got something to prove ev- ery day." ■ 2025 vs. 2026: Stock Up Or Down? The secondary was one of many areas that didn't live up to ex- pectations last fall. The Nittany Lions finished 54th in the FBS in pass-efficiency defense (128.96) and collected only 6 interceptions as a team, with the defensive backs supplying just 4 of those picks. Part of the Lions' problem was that players were adapting to their third defensive coordinator in as many years, with Manny Diaz giving way to Tom Allen, who in turn gave way to Jim Knowles. Given the unit's underwhelming performance, particu- larly in shootouts with UCLA and Rutgers, Penn State fans were not saddened when Knowles headed to Tennessee, but the result is that this year's team must adapt to its fourth defensive coordi- nator in as many years. Still, there will be some continuity on the field, with the Nittany Lions managing to hold onto three of their better defensive backs in corners Daryus Dixson and Audavion Collins and nickel Zion Tracy. Collins and Tracy will have senior eligibility this fall, while Dixson is a very promising sophomore. By contrast, the safety corps was hollowed out by graduation and the portal, so the new coaching staff brought in five transfers. There are some questions here regarding the depth at corner- back and the specifics as to how the new safeties are going to fit together. But there's ample room to improve on last year's perfor- mance, and we expect PSU to do so. X-Factor How do the Nittany Lions plan to incorporate redshirt senior safety Jeremiah Cooper into their defense? The safeties room doesn't fit together cleanly with or without the Iowa State transfer — and that tension keeps coming up. Without him, the Lions lack speed and coverage ability if junior Marcus Neal Jr. and senior Jamison Patton are on the field to- gether, unless Tracy slides from nickel to free safety. With him, his skill set overlaps with exactly what the staff wants Tracy doing at that position. Either Cooper isn't a true full-time starter, or there's a plan that hasn't yet come into focus. The traditional Penn State model of two safeties with clearly defined roles is out the window this year, and the alternative remains murky, in part because Cooper missed spring practice with an injury. He could end up as one of the de- fense's highest snap earners, or he could be a situational player. The swing between those outcomes is wide. Freshman Outlook There are certain to be some significant contributions by fresh- men at cornerback. The No. 3 player in PSU's rotation is Jahmir Joseph, a redshirt freshman who totaled 7 tackles and an intercep- tion while seeing action in five games last year. The Lions will be looking to build depth during preseason camp, and after Joseph and starters Dixson and Collins, everything is up for grabs. True freshman Josiah Zayas made a splash in the Blue-White Practice with an interception that he returned for a touchdown. Whether that's indicative of his potential this fall is an open question, but he's one of six cornerbacks with freshman eligibility. The Lions are going to need a couple of those young players to step up. At safety, the numbers don't favor a big freshman contribution this year. Christian Askew and Bryson Williams arrived in the class of 2026. They both stand 6-foot-4 and will bring some impressive size to the secondary when they eventually get on the field, but they'll have to jump a number of portal imports if they're going get there this fall. Freshman cornerback Josiah Zayas shined in the Blue-White Practice this past April, returning an interception for a touchdown in the Lions' intrasquad scrimmage. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS