Where Manny Diaz’s defense stands after spring camp

Earlier this week, we dove into Penn State’s offense and assessed where it stood coming out of spring ball. Now, it’s the defense’s turn.

Let’s take a look at how the depth chart might look for defensive coordinator Manny Diaz days after the Blue-White game.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Starters: Hakeem Beamon, Coziah Izzard

Backups: Dvon Ellies, Zane Durant

In the mix: Jordan van den Berg, Kaleb Artis, Davon Townley Jr., Tyriq Blanding

Without veteran PJ Mustipher, the line between starter and backup will be blurry at defensive tackle. Beamon, a 12-game starter last year, had six tackles for loss and four pass breakups. Izzard was the next most productive tackle with four TFLs. Right now, Beamon and Izzard seem like the starting duo.

But Durant probably has the highest ceiling of the group. And Ellies would be a slightly bigger option than Izzard next to Beamon or Durant. All four of these guys will be rotating with each other and getting plenty of playing time.

Defensive tackle is also a prime position that could be bolstered by the transfer portal. James Franklin made that clear when he said after the Blue-White game that the Nittany Lions “need some more depth and competition” at the position.

The portal opened for FBS players a few days ago, and it’ll stay open until the end of the month. By May, the two-deep at defensive tackle might look different.

DEFENSIVE END

Starters: Chop Robinson, Adisa Isaac

Backups: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Amin Vanover

In the mix: Zuriah Fisher, Smith Vilbert, Jameial Lyons, Joseph Mupoyi

You could make the argument that, in terms of top-end talent, this is the best position on Penn State’s roster.

Robinson’s 92.4 Pro Football Focus pass-rushing grade was second in the FBS and is tops among returning players. Isaac, who had a team-high 11 TFLs, would be an NFL prospect if he opted to leave. And Dennis-Sutton, the 6-foot-5, 262-pound five-star sophomore, is as physically dominant as they come. Just ask tackles Drew Shelton and Caedan Wallace after the spring game.

Robinson, Isaac and Dennis-Sutton, with the way he’s developed, all ought to be considered starters, though the veterans will officially get the nod. Vanover, an underrated player, should be the next man up after chipping in 4.5 TFLs last year on 256 snaps (fourth behind Isaac, Robinson and Nick Tarburton).

Fisher is another one to remember. This time last year, he suffered a serious knee injury many thought would rule him out of the 2022 season. He recovered earlier than expected and played in two games. He was active in the Blue-White game, too.

Vilbert, meanwhile, did not participate in the scrimmage after missing the regular season for an unspecified reason. It’s unclear what kind of role, if any, he’ll have.

LINEBACKER

Starters: Abdul Carter, Kobe King, Curtis Jacobs

Backups: Dominic DeLuca, Tyler Elsdon, Tony Rojas

In the mix: Keon Wylie, Ta’Mere Robinson, Kaveion Keys

Carter and Jacobs might make up the best outside linebacker duo in the Big Ten. Carter was a breakout star as a freshman, leading the team with 6.5 sacks, making highlight reel plays and wearing the No. 11 jersey with great effect. Jacobs grew as a cerebral player in Diaz’s first year. Both are disruptors.

It’s going to be a battle between King and Elsdon in the middle. Elsdon (422) logged more defensive snaps than King (310) last year. But King graded out better both against the run and in coverage. The edge goes to King but both will play.

Rojas was the star of spring. The early enrollee put on 29 pounds from when he arrived in January to the start of camp. He wasn’t weighed down in the Blue-White game, flying all over the field and recording a game-high nine tackles. Expect to see plenty of that from Rojas as Diaz looks for rotation difference-makers.

Don’t sleep on Wylie, either. The redshirt freshman from Philadelphia appeared in only three games last year. But Wylie made some nice plays in garbage time of the Rose Bowl and in the Blue-White game. He has an opportunity to work his way into the two-deep.

CORNERBACK

Starters: Kalen King, Johnny Dixon, Daequan Hardy (nickel)

Backups: Storm Duck, Cam Miller

In the mix: Elliot Washington, Lamont Payne, Zion Tracy

Even after losing Joey Porter Jr., cornerbacks coach Terry Smith has plenty to work with. King is a preseason All-American after ranking third in the FBS with 21 passes defended. Dixon was perhaps overlooked last season despite having 12 passes defended. And Hardy appears to be the starting slot corner again.

It doesn’t feel right labeling Duck as a “backup,” but listing four starters is weak. The North Carolina transfer and All-ACC honoree impressed the coaches with his maturity this spring. Duck, who had 10 passes defended in 2022, might play ahead of Dixon. Smith could decide to play Duck, Dixon and King at the same time.

Smith has options, including Miller, who played in eight games as a true freshman. Washington, Payne and Tracy — especially Washington — will be worth watching as 2023 signees. But Miller ought to be the first corner up behind the veterans.

SAFETY

Starters: Keaton Ellis, Jaylen Reed

Backups: Zakee Wheatley, KJ Winston

In the mix: Mehki Flowers, Tyrece Mills, King Mack, DaKaari Nelson

This is another spot where you could list three or four guys as a first-teamer. Ellis, a captain and fifth-year player, is going to start. As long as he’s healthy, so should Reed, who played the most snaps of any safety not named Ji’Ayir Brown last season.

But Wheatley proved to have a nose for the football last season. He also has the frame at 6-2, 194 pounds to be utilized like Brown was around the defense. Winston (6-2, 204 pounds) is another chess piece that can be moved around after emerging from spring camp as one of the real standouts.

Brown is a loss. But having Ellis, Reed, Wheatley and Winston ready to compete for snaps is a testament to Diaz and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter. Those top four players being locked in — plus the arrivals of four-star signees Mack and Nelson — might give Flowers or Mills a reason to consider the portal.

Only time will tell how roster attrition will affect the Nittany Lions’ depth.