New Penn State defensive line coach Deion Barnes will be working with one of the most talented end rooms in the country this spring.

And Barnes, a former PSU defensive analyst who succeeds John Scott Jr., knows defensive end talent when he sees it.

Barnes played the position at a high level for the Lions roughly a decade ago. Barnes was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2012 and he racked up 12.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and three quarterback hurries in 2014, James Franklin’s first year as PSU head coach.

The list of returning Penn State edge rushers includes Chop Robinson (10 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries), Adisa Isaac (11 tackles for loss, four sack, eight quarterback hurries) and 2022 blue-chip recruit Dani Dennis-Sutton (three sacks, three quarterback hurries).

However, there is work to do at defensive tackle. Penn State returns several interesting players at the position but it will be strange not seeing PJ Mustipher on the practice field.

Mustipher, a two-time second-team All-Big Ten choice, should hear his name called in the 2023 NFL draft, likely on the third day. He was a key performer for a PSU run defense that allowed just 3.3 yards per rush in 2022. Mustipher had the size (6-foot-4, 318 pounds) to push the pocket and he was a frequent target of double teams.

“To me, if we can have a two-and-a-half deep at every position, with guys that have played in games and showed that we can win with, then great,” Franklin said Tuesday, prior to the Lions’ first spring practice.

“I would like us to be a little bit bigger at D-tackle. I think there’s some games where we’re able to get away with it because of our athleticism and our quickness, but to win the way we want to win, we need both. We need size and quickness and athleticism.”

With Mustipher no longer in the picture, Penn State’s defensive tackle rotation should include vets Hakeem Beamon, Coziah Izzard and Dvon Ellies, along with promising second-year Lion Zane Durant. Jordan van den Berg, a former JUCO entering his third season in State College, is another contender for playing time.

Ellies is the biggest of the bunch, listed at 6-1, 302. Izzard is 6-3, 291, Beamon is 6-3, 256, Durant is 6-1, 275 and van den Berg is listed at 6-3, 286. None of them possess the mass or experience of Mustipher.

Izzard could be limited this spring due to “some bumps and bruises,” according to Franklin.

“When you factor (Izzard) in, then you really got five guys that have played a ton of football at Penn State,” Franklin said.

For now, the defensive end group is a strength. Tackle? A work in progress.

“I think Deion’s going to be able to build off what we’ve done the last couple of years,” Franklin said.

“But I also think he’s going to put his stamp on it as well. I know one of the things that’s really important to him is effort, and I think that sounds like a simple thing. But we think there’s a little bit left in the tank to get our guys to play on a different level when it comes to effort.”

“You guys have heard me talk about this before,” Franklin added. “The game starts up front, whether it’s the defense or whether it’s the offense.

“I think we got a chance to be really talented at defensive end. I think we got a chance to be really good at defensive tackle. But there’s probably a little bit more question marks there and a little less depth.”

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