INDIANAPOLIS — Jaylen Reed and Dvon J-Thomas are representing the Penn State defense at Big Ten Media Days inside Lucas Oil Stadium this week.

The veteran Lions will also play significant roles in new coordinator Tom Allen’s defense.

It’s a unit that should be led by an edge group featuring NFL prospects Dani Dennis-Sutton and Abdul Carter and a safety room that includes two proven playmakers — Reed and emerging star Kevin Winston Jr.

But PSU is replacing its three top corners, ends Adisa Isaac and Chop Robinson and linebacker Curtis Jacobs.

Who are the new defenders who should emerge in the fall, beginning with PSU’s season opener at West Virginia?

Here are three names to file away — linebacker Tony Rojas, defensive end Amin Vanover and cornerback Audavion Collins.

Of the three, Collins is the freshest face.

A transfer from Mississippi State in his second season at Penn State, the 5-foot-11, 178-pound Collins could push to start, according to Reed.

Collins, a redshirt sophomore, is part of a depth chart that includes Cam Miller, Zion Tracy, Elliot Washington II and SEC transfers A.J. Harris (Georgia) and Jalen Kimber (Florida).

“(One) player I’m really excited for now is Audavion Collins at corner,” Reed, a fourth-year player and a 2023 starter, said Wednesday.

“He made great strides this spring, he has a great opportunity this fall camp to compete for that starting spot. We lost three corners (from) last year.”

Collins appeared in six games last season. Reed believes his role can expand.

Vanover, in his fifth year, was slowed by an injury in 203. But two years ago, the 6-4, 268-pound Vanover tallied 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback hurries and three pass breakups in 13 games.

J-Thomas, who was listed as Dvon Ellies on the 2023 PSU roster, was also asked about players who could emerge on the defensive line.

“You have a couple of guys,” said J-Thomas, a sixth-year tackle who will be a big part of line coach Deion Barnes’ tackle rotation.

“You have Amin Vanover, for one, at defensive end. I know one of the biggest things that people had concerns about is reloading that defensive end room.

“To be truthful, we have Dani (Dennis-Sutton), we have Amin, we have Abdul (Carter), we have Smith Vilbert. … There’s a lot of guys who are standing out right now.”

As for Rojas, the word has been out on him for more than a year. He showcased his speed and athleticism at times during his true freshman year of 2023. A January enrollee, Rojas was always going to play early if he was healthy.

Now with Jacobs gone, the 6-2, 239-pound Rojas should start and he is a good bet to be an impact player after logging 3.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and intercepting a pass in his first year.

“One of the top guys, for sure, is going to be Tony Rojas,” J-Thomas said. “He had kind of a quieter role last year. I think this year, he’s really going to take over and come into his own as a linebacker.”

“I like his approach to the game, just his approach each and every day,” Reed said when asked about Rojas. “He’s physical, fast, very talented, very smart kid. I call him a sponge. He’s always willing to learn.”

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