Tag: Daequan Hardy

Five big questions for the Penn State defense

5 big questions for Penn State’s defense this spring.

Penn State’s defense was a strength in 2021 but faces some big questions this spring ahead of the 2022 season. With a number of notable departures to the NFL and a new defensive coordinator, this spring has plenty to be watching in Happy Valley on the defensive side of the football.

Penn State’s biggest change this season is the addition of defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. The former Miami head coach comes to State College to replace Brent Pry, who has left the program to become the head coach at Virginia Tech. Diaz brings a solid reputation as a defensive coordinator and Penn State appears to have found a terrific replacement for Pry. But Diaz will have some work to do in shaping the defense with a number of key starting jobs up for grabs this spring.

Penn State is set to open spring football practices on March 21, with the annual Blue-White Game currently scheduled for Saturday, April 23.

Here are five questions I have for Penn State’s offense that may be addressed this spring (we addressed the questions for the offense last week).

Where are they now? Penn State football’s Class of 2019

Here is where every player from Penn State’s Class of 2019 sits today, four years later

The 2022 college football season will mark the fourth year since the Class of 2019 was signed by Penn State. One of the top classes in the Big Ten, coming in at No. 2 in the conference according to 247 Sports, Penn State’s recruiting haul for 2019 was certainly full of potential for big things. And entering 2022, some of those players signed by the Nittany Lions are living the dream while others are looking for some clean starts, and others remain in Happy Valley hoping to end their college careers on a high note.

With so much happening in the offseason, we thought it would be a good idea to take a look back at Penn State’s Class of 2019 to see where everyone is currently stands.

WATCH: Daequan Hardy’s pick-six puts Penn State on top of Michigan State

WATCH: Daequan Hardy’s pick-six gives Penn State the lead at Michigan State

Penn State’s defense has been making some big plays all season long. Early in the second half in snowy East Lansing, it was Daequan Hardy adding his contribution to the success of the defense. Hardy intercepted a pass by Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne and returned it 17 yards for a go-ahead touchdown.

Hardy’s second interception of the season could not have come at a better time. After Penn State was forced to punt on the opening drive of the second half, Michigan State took over deep in their end. That set the stage for a big play on defense that didn’t have to travel too far.

Hardy’s interception return gave Penn State its first lead of the game. Penn State started off the game trailing 14-0 in the first quarter but battled back to tie the game at 14-14 in the second quarter. Michigan State led 17-14 at halftime after Jordan Stout missed a late first-half field goal that would have evened the score shortly before halftime.

Unfortunately for Penn State, Stout had another miss on the PAT on the pick-six. That kept the game a three-point difference with Penn State up 20-17.

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2021 Penn State depth chart projection: Defensive backs

Tariq Castro-Fields gives Penn State an experienced defensive back as a starter, but how does the rest of the DB depth look in 2021?

One strength Penn State should be able to rely on in the 2021 season will be in the defensive secondary. With key returning players in the backfield and a wealth of talent and potential in younger players on the roster, the stability of the secondary is one of Penn State’s best things going for it in the 2021 college football season.

The Big Ten is ripe with wide receiver talent with players like Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson at Ohio State and Ty Fryfogle of Indiana and Ronnie Bell at Michigan. Penn State will face all of them in Big Ten East play.

Penn State may have one of the best safeties in the Big Ten in Jaquan Brisker, but the defensive backs are also in terrific shape with the return of Tariq Castro-Fields, the continued growth of players like Joey Porter Jr., and the arrival of freshman Kalen King. But how exactly will Penn State line up the defensive backs against an assortment of incredibly talented wide receivers in the Big Ten this season?

Here’s how the depth chart at defensive back may look for the Nittany Lions this fall.

25 days until Penn State football 2021 season opener

There are now just 25 days until Penn State football returns

We are 25 days away from Penn State football!

Yesterday, we talked about one of the best running backs to put on a Nittany Lion uniform. Today, we will get to know the current Penn State number 25, Daequan Hardy.

The 5-foot-9 and 180-pound cornerback from Pennsylvania enters this season as a redshirt sophomore. Hardy played in 11 games last season and showed some flashes during his appearances, including 10 tackles, three pass breakups, a sack and a QB hurry.

Hardy is another developmental squad player that made a name for himself and worked his way up to earning playing time on Saturdays.

As a recruit, Hardy was a three-star player that committed to Penn State in the class of 2019. He received interest from other Big Ten schools like Michigan, Michigan State and Nebraska before making the decision to play at State College.

The Nittany Lions have lots of underclassmen in their secondary room with a lot to prove. Hardy has made nice improvements since arriving at Penn State. During his recruiting process, a reporter mentioned that Hardy needed to bulk up and add on to his body frame. That is exactly what he did. He is currently listed at 180 pounds, 20 pounds heavier than when he was recruited by Penn State.

Not only do the Nittany Lions have lots of underclassmen in their secondary room, but there’s also lots of potential. Cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields and safety Jaquan Brisker, both draft-eligible, are nice pieces for those players to learn from.

Hardy is currently listed as the backup to Castro-Fields. After showing some flashes last season, Hardy could be in for a solid year of improvement starting in 25 days.

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