Tag: Dani Dennis-Sutton

Penn State spring football preview: Defensive Line

Now that a new coach is in place, here’s a quick look at the Penn State defensive line situation this spring

It’s an exciting time for the defensive line unit at Penn State. Coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] recently announced that [autotag]Deion Barnes[/autotag] would be the new defensive line coach for the upcoming season.

Barnes, who played defensive line at Penn State from 2012-2014, is taking over the role after the departure of [autotag]John Scott Jr.[/autotag]

It seems like a natural progression for Barnes who served as a graduate assistant and was involved in the development of multiple players going to the NFL.

While the news of this hire is certainly exciting, the other electrifying thing surrounding the defensive line is they might be the best unit of Penn State football this season.

[autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Adisa Isaac[/autotag] are the headliners of the line, but there are other players that could have a big year as well.

Here are names to watch as spring practices get underway.

Chop Robinson

Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Measurables: 6’3″ 240 lbs.

Year: Junior

Expected Role: Starting Defensive End

Chop Robinson was an absolute star for Penn State in 2022-23. After transferring in from Maryland, he was a game wrecker for the Nittany Lions. He recorded 26 total tackles, 10 of them for loss, and had 5.5 sacks.

His PFF grade of 90.6 ranked him sixth out of 862 edge rushers last season. Robinson’s pass rush grade had him fourth in the country. It’s crazy to think that he can improve his run defense to become an even better player. Robinson will be a household name if continues to produce like he did last year.

Coziah Izzard

AP Photo/Barry Reeger

Measurables: 6’3″ 292 lbs.

Year: Redshirt Junior

Expected Role: Starting Defensive Tackle

This is the starting position on the defensive line that should be watched. [autotag]Coziah Izzard[/autotag] is the projected starter, but he’ll be battling to secure that title. Last season he was expected to start alongside [autotag]PJ Mustipher[/autotag], but missed the first four games of the season due to the decision of coach Franklin.

After a bursting onto the scene in 2021 with 21 tackles and two sacks, he recorded 10 tackles and two sacks in nine games last season. Izzard has tons of talent and should be able to produce this year whether he’s a starter or not.

NEXT: Other potential starters up front

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Penn State gets commitment from DL Mason Robinson, who flips from Northwestern

Penn State added another defensive lineman to the Class of 2023 with a flip from a Big Ten school

Call it a Big Ten on Big Ten crime, but Penn State is plucking from Northwestern’s recruiting haul to add to its own in the Class of 2023. On Tuesday, defensive lineman Mason Robinson announced

“I am thankful for all the love from [Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald] and Northwestern university (sic) but I am officially de-committing from Northwestern University,” Robinson said in his released statement via Twitter. “I will be going back to where it all started, with Coach Franklin and the Nittany Lions. I am committing to Penn State University.”

Penn State was one of the first offers to be extended to Robinson in his recruiting process, and that was followed by a handful of unofficial visits between 2021 and 2022. Robinson committed to Northwestern in late May, but the month of December has seen a change of heart for Robinson at the perfect time for Franklin and his staff. Robinson announced his commitment to Penn State just days after taking an official visit in Happy Valley over the weekend.

Robinson is a consensus three-star recruit according to the various recruiting services. Robinson is the latest Penn State recruit to come out of McDonogh School in Owings Mills, MD. He’ll follow one of his former teammates at McDonogh, [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] from the Class of 2022, and linebacker [autotag]Curtis Jacobs[/autotag], from the Class of 2020, as the McDonogh pipeline continues for Penn State.

The 6′-4″, 230-pound defensive lineman is the second defensive lineman added to the Class of 2023 this week. On Monday, Joseph Mupoyi gave the Nittany Lions an edge rusher to add to its current recruiting haul.

Penn State hopes to have every member of its Class of 2023 locked up during the early signing period, which is open from Dec. 21 to Dec. 23.

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Penn State’s youth movement starts November with a bang

Penn State has a shot of going 10-2 while letting its youth movement rise to the occasion.

The final month of the regular season is shaping up to be a big one for the future of Penn State football. While still playing for the possibility of a 10-2 season that can wiggle Penn State into position for a spot in a New Years Six bowl game, the more important thing to keep on your radar ins the development of some of Penn State’s key members in the Class of 2022 and 2021 as they continue to get their opportunities.

If it wasn’t already clear enough, Penn State’s running game is now firmly in the hands of its talented freshmen [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag] and [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag]. Singleton leads the team in rushing with 679 yards and Allen is second with 558 yards, and each has a team-high eight rushing touchdowns. The only other player with a rushing touchdown this season is sixth-year quarterback [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag].

Freshman linebacker [autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag], a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, is third on the team in total tackles and sacks to show why the future looks so bright for him in the signature No. 11 jersey. Defensive end [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] has the team-lead for sacks this season and he came up with his first career interception in Penn State’s road win at Indiana in Week 10.

And then, of course, there is the quarterback. [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] got about a quarter and a half to really run the offense against the Hoosiers, but he wasn’t there to simply run off the clock as much as possible. Allar was given the chance to read defenses, make adjustments where needed, and throw the football to move the chains and put points on the board. And few would argue he handled things very well.

But not to be overlooked was the performance of freshman offensive lineman [autotag]Drew Shelton[/autotag]. Without Olu Fashanue available for the road trip to Bloomington, Shelton was put to the task of protecting Clifford (and later Allar), and he shined in the role.

“Not only did he play, he played well,” head coach James Franklin said after the road win when asked about Shelton’s performance according to Frank Bodani of the York Daily Record.

Penn State is in a fortunate position with the schedule to be able to get good playing time for their young players who will be the core of the team in 2023 and beyond. The schedule is favorable in that the remaining opponents — Maryland, Michigan State, and Rutgers — should all be underdogs against Penn State, and two of the games will be played at home, and the Spartans and Scarlet Knights are team playing below .500.

To be able to put together a clean November while getting more development out of the future stars and leaders of the team is a great spot for Penn Stater to be in for the long-term vision while still being able to accomplish some short-term goals as well.

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The best photos from Penn State’s blowout win vs. Indiana

Check out these photos from Penn State’s blowout win over Indiana in Week 10.

Penn State made the most of its latest road trip by coming away with a lopsided win to celebrate. Penn State was in full control of Indiana on a windy day in Bloomington and started the month of November with a big win to generate some momentum coming down the final stretch of the regular season.

Freshman running back [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag] scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns and made plays running the ball and catching the ball with plenty of yards after the catch. [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] moved just behind [autotag]Trace McSorley[/autotag] as the program’s all-time leading passer, and [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] joined the interception parade as the Penn State defense dominated all afternoon.

Here are some of the best photos from Penn State’s blowout win at Indiana in Week 10.

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Instant Reaction: Penn State improves to 4-0 after win over Central Michigan

Instant Reaction: Penn State improves to 4-0 after 33-14 win over Central Michigan

It may not have been the perfectly executed game for the Nittany Lions, but Penn State came out on top with a 33-14 victory against Central Michigan on Saturday afternoon in Beaver Stadium.

[autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] started the game connecting on all eight of his pass attempts as Penn State jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but misfires and catchable balls not being hauled in popped up in bunches after that as the Penn State offense stalled a bit in the second quarter. Central Michigan battled back to tie things at 14-14 in the second quarter but the Nittany Lions responded with a go-ahead touchdown run by [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag], and Penn State never saw the lead evaporate the rest of the day.

Penn State’s defense had some tough moments against the Chippewas, but they forced five CMU turnovers in the game. It was the second week Penn State forced at least four turnovers in a game. That included one recovery of a muffed punt by Central Michigan in the third quarter, which led to a quick Penn State touchdown to extend its lead.

Clifford ended his afternoon with 217 passing yards and three touchdown passes with one rushing touchdown before getting a chance to relax midway through the fourth quarter. [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] took over for the rest of the day.

After back-to-back 100-rushing performances, [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag] was handled well by Central Michigan. Singleton rushed for just 37 yards on 10 carries. Fortunately for Penn State, Kaytron Allen was there to turn in his first career 100-yard game to lead the offense on the ground.

Penn State made an effort to get Parker Washington more involved from the start. Washington caught six passes on nine targets his way for 64 yards. Tight end Brenton Strange came through with a pair of touchdowns on five catches. Mitchell Tinsley also scored a touchdown for the Nittany Lions, continuing to be a valuable red zone option.

The defense was without a sack until the fourth quarter. Freshman [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] picked up two very quickly late in the game.

Penn State will be home once again next week for a Big Ten matchup with Northwestern. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 1.

Central Michigan will play their MAC opener on the road at Toledo next Saturday, also at 3:30 p.m. ET.

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Penn State football snapshot profile: No. 56 Amin Vanover

Snapshot profile of Penn State defensive end Amin Vanover heading into 2022.

Going into the 2022 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Penn State roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] this season.

The next player is defensive end [autotag]Amin Vanover[/autotag]. Vanover has had limited snaps for Penn State in his two years with the teams thus far.

However, he looks to hopefully earn more time on the field in 2022, with even more competition, headlined by defensive end [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag].

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Penn State a team that can cause College Football Playoff chaos in 2022

Will Penn State be an agent of College Football Playoff chaos in 2022?

One look at Penn State’s 2022 schedule will show there are some big matchups on the way for the Nittany Lions, and a handful of games could ultimately have a hand in determining the College Football Playoff picture. Even if Penn State doesn’t make its own playoff case this season, the Nittany Lions are considered a team that could cause some disturbances in the playoff force this fall.

247Sports singled out a few schools that could disrupt the 2022 playoff race, and it was sure to include Penn State. On the surface, it makes sense why Penn State would be considered an agent of playoff chaos this fall. Penn State is a team being regarded as one with good talent on the roster on both sides of the football, but questions remain if everything can fall into place to score some big wins along the way to redeeming the program’s image after a pair of mediocre seasons.

The schedule is also full of games that could have some playoff weight behind them. Most notably, home games against Ohio State and Michigan State and a road game at defending Big Ten champion Michigan should all be circled on the calendar.

Here is what 247Sports had to say about Penn State’s role in the potential playoff picture;

The Nittany Lions could be a thorn in the side of playoff-ready titans Michigan and Ohio State, which possibly may keep the Big Ten out of the final four this season should chaos ensue. It’s hard to imagine a 12-1 conference champion being left out given the top to bottom strength of teams within the league, but James Franklin’s crew is being undervalued a bit this summer it seems. And when you look at the schedule, Penn State will certainly have a say in the playoff race and who comes out of the Big Ten potentially unblemished. The early non-conference tilt at Auburn could be a confidence-builder for this group.

After signing the nation’s eighth-best recruiting class for 2022, according to the 247Sports Composite, a group led by five-stars [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] (QB), [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag] (RB) and [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] (DE), the Nittany Lions welcome an immediate-impact type group to Happy Valley. And given what Penn State returns on defense, this could be one of the more complete teams in the Big Ten despite being one of the lesser talked-about programs this summer in terms of preseason love with most prognostications penning the Nittany Lions outside of the top 25. That should be motivational material for a locker room of players itching to get back to national respectability.

Of course, Penn State’s goal will be to make its own playoff case instead of take pride in spoiling someone else’s chances of playing for a national championship. Penn State has yet to make the College Football Playoff. Going 3-0 against Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State would certainly be helpful in cracking a way into the playoff picture, as would road wins at Purdue and Auburn before that.

Other teams viewed as potential disruptions to the playoff picture included Miami, USC, Texas, and Tennessee.

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Penn State snapshot profile: No. 33 Dani Dennis-Sutton

A snapshot profile of Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State’s top defensive recruit in 2022.

Going into the 2022 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Penn State roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] this season.

The next player is [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag], one of Penn State’s highly coveted recruits coming out of Maryland.

It is fairly likely Sutton sees the field early next season, as Penn State’s defensive line might have depth, but Sutton’s talent could likely get him to see the field at some point in the 2022 season.

Penn State DT enters transfer portal

Penn State saw a defensive tackle enter the transfer portal as the transfer portal deadline approaches

The final week of April is expected to be a busy one for transfer portal activity. With the deadline for players to notify their current schools of their desire to enter the transfer portal looming and spring football practices wrapping up around the country, there may not be a day that goes by without a flurry of transfer portal headlines. On Monday, one of those headlines came out of State College with news that defensive tackle [autotag]Cole Brevard[/autotag] has placed his name in the transfer portal.

News of the Penn State defensive tackle entering the transfer portal comes just a couple of days after Penn State wrapped spring practices with the Blue-White Game on Saturday. Brevard did play in the game, recording one tackle in the official box score from the modified scrimmage.

Brevard appeared in one game last season, marking his only playing time in his two seasons in Happy Valley. Brevard was a former four-star recruit out of high school from Indiana. Brevard committed to Penn Stae’s Class of 2020 in April of 2019 and enrolled early in 2020.

Brevard’s departure is not too shocking considering the immediate outlook many are projecting for the defensive line in the fall for the 2022 season. [autotag]PJ Mustipher[/autotag] will return as a healthy veteran and freshmen [autotag]Zane Durant[/autotag] and [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] are players expected to take on a role on the defensive line. Penn State has also added to the defensive line depth with the addition of Maryland transfer [autotag]Demeioun Robinson[/autotag]. Penn State is also expected to have players like [autotag]Coziah Izzard[/autotag] and [autotag]D’Von Ellies[/autotag] contribute on the defensive line this fall, making for a crowded and deep rotation already.

Brevard redshirted the 2020 season but can make up that year thanks to the NCAA’s granting of a free year of eligibility for all student-athletes impacted by the 2020 pandemic’s wrath on the sports calendar. Brevard will have four years of eligibility at his disposal as a result with whatever new school he may end up transferring to.

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Blue-White Game Report Card: Grading Penn State’s spring football game

The grades are in for Penn State’s performance in the Blue-White Game.

Penn State’s spring game wasn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard, even in a modified scoring system. And fans wanting to see drastic improvement from the program that has gone .500 over the past two seasons may be left wondering if Penn State is set up for another mediocre season in Happy Valley after watching the Blue-White Game. But Penn State’s final spring practice of the year had some positive developments and some reminders that help is on the way over the summer.

And now the grades are in for Penn State’s performance during the Blue-White Game. Here’s how each position group was graded for the spring game in Beaver Stadium on Saturday.

Quarterback: C

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

A recurring theme when it comes to the offensive grades following Penn State’s game is probably chalked up to a simple “Eh, it could have been better.” That was the basic takeaway from the performance of the quarterbacks overall, but any expectation of any passer just lighting up the spring game may have been unreasonable.

We were never likely to see a whole lot out of [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag], the sixth-year senior who really has little more to prove at this point. We know pretty much exactly what Clifford is, and if given time to process the field, he can make plays. But he had some overthrown passes at times. He did, however, throw the game’s only touchdown of the game.

The backup competition behind Clifford is the real storyline here, and the future of [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] is what fans are eager to witness. But a rough spring debut for the true freshman shows there is still work to be done in the big picture. If based solely on one afternoon, [autotag]Christian Veilleux[/autotag] proved he should be the team’s primary backup option heading into the season, although Allar should improve quickly.

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Next: Grading the running backs

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