I got a chance to really look over the depth chart today and I wanted to put a few notes down.
I will list the position and how I feel they will rank in the B1G.
| Unit | BBT's projected B1G Rank |
| Linebackers | #1 - They will be the best in the B1G. Returning an All-American is nice. |
| Offensive Line | #1-#3 - This unit is very talented, very experienced, and has a lot of depth. Could be the best in the B1G. Two returning starters were honorable mention All-B1G last year. The other 3 returning offensive lineman are all very talented as well. This kind of talent at the offensive line position hasn't been seen in many years. |
| Tight Ends | #1 - If possible, this unit may be even more talented than the linebackers. Returning an All-American is nice. |
| Running Back | #1-#3 - Penn State has more talent and depth at the running back than any other team in the B1G. However, PSU really needs a back to step up and become an All-Big 10 performer. Journey Brown seemed to be that guy towards the end of the season, including rushing for over 200 yards in the Cotton Bowl. Noah Cain also flashed at times, but his season was cut short due to injury. There are two additional all-world recruits that will be getting carries next year, too.
5 star tailback Ricky Slade put his name in the transfer portal and is no longer on the roster. Ricky Slade was the only back that showed the ability to reliably get open and catch the ball, so that will be something the young guys need to work on. |
| Defensive End | #3-#5 - A lot of potential, and the return of an All-B1G second teamer is huge. Jason Oweh is the biggest athletic freak on the team (even puts up crazier numbers than Micah Parsons), but has only flashed at times. IMO, this unit under performed last year. Hopefully the new DL coach can make the most out of this group. |
| Defensive Tackle | #6-#8 Penn State essentially returns two starters in PJ Mustipher and Antonio Shelton. PJ Mustipher gets a lot of love from Pro Football Focus, and Antonio Shelton has been consistently good, but not great. The depth is OK, but not nearly as deep as the other units listed above. PJ and Antonio have been average so far, but the potential is there for this unit to step up and be one of the better units in the B1G. Penn State also likes to rotate a lot of guys, so someone needs to step into that role and perform well. This is a big question mark. |
| Wide Receivers | #9-#12 By far the most questionable unit on the team. Jahan Dotson will be the best returning receiver, but there is literally no proven talent behind him. This area was a weakness last season, and will probably be worse with the loss of KJ Hamler. |
| Kickoff / Kick return | #1 Kickoff, #5-9 Kickoff returns - Jordan Stout returns, something like 85% of his kicks are touchbacks. He's got the biggest leg in the B1G, and set the Penn State record with a 57 yard field goal last year. Kickoff returns were average, at best, last year, and that was with KJ Hamler returning kicks. There seems to be a bit of interest in having All American Linebacker Micah Parsons return kicks, but I foresee this unit remaining about on average with other B1G teams. |
| Field Goals | #1-#3 - Penn State has the ability to kick nearly 60 yard field goals, but they also have a short range guy that is very accurate. The kicking was so good last year it nearly won the Pitt game single-handily. |
| Punts / Punt Returns | #5-#7 Punts, #5-9 Punt returns - Penn State lost their best punter to graduation, but Jordan Stout (see above) has stepped into the role. I don't expect a huge dropoff, but I don't think Stout has the accuracy we came to expect from Gilliken.
Punt returns should take a big step back with the loss of KJ Hamler, and I expect them to be about average in the B1G. |
