Tag: Joey Porter Jr.

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.

Outback Bowl: Defensive keys to a Penn State win over Arkansas

Here are the top three defensive keys to a Penn State win over Arkansas in the Outback Bowl.

With Penn State’s matchup against the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Nittany Lions defense will have a tough obstacle to overcome after losing many of their key players to opt-outs. However, they do still have the talent to keep this game close and even go back to State College with an Outback Bowl victory.

Here are the top three defensive keys to a Penn State win over Arkansas in the Outback Bowl on Saturday.

Amid opt-outs, Anthony Poindexter says defense still has a standard to live up to

Penn State defense still has a high bar to clear for the Outback Bowl despite missing so many key players to opt-outs

There is no question that Penn State’s defense has been hit hard to early NFL departures heading into this weekend’s Outback Bowl matchup with Arkansas. The Nittany Lions are down four key starters on the defensive side of the football due to NFL declarations, but Anthony Poindexter says that will not be an excuse for the defense against the Razorbacks.

“Everybody wants to play,” Poindexter said when meeting with the media after practice in Tampa on Tuesday (according to Blue White Illustrated). “A lot of guys who probably didn’t play as much as they wanted to in the regular season, here’s their chance to play. We got a standard for how we play defense here, and we expect them to play the way we’re used to playing.”

Poindexter, Penn State’s safeties coach, will be taking on the play-calling duties for the defense in the Outback Bowl. James Franklin confirmed Poindexter will be leading the defense following the departure of Brent Pry to be a head coach at Virginia Tech, while new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz will take on the role after the bowl game.

Poindexter is taking over the defense that will be playing without safety Jaquan Brisker, defensive end Arnold Ebiketie or linebackers Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks. All four players have opted out of the bowl game to begin focusing on their NFL futures, leaving Penn State’s defensive depth being put to the test against Arkansas.

“I think we’ve got enough leadership that we don’t have to ask these young guys to be leaders, but they’re gonna have to communicate,” Poindexter said. “Any time you play a team like Arkansas that’s running tempo offense, you’re going to have to communicate and be on the same page. They’ve been practicing. They know what to do. Now they’re just going to have to go out there and do it.”

Penn State’s defense will be put to the test by the Razorbacks. Although Arkansas is without its top wide receiver, Treylon Burks, after opting out himself, the Razorbacks have plenty of ability to do some damage on offense with a mobile quarterback in KJ Jefferson and a decent ability to run the football, something Penn State has struggled containing against quality opponents this season. But odds are probably pretty good Poindexter and the rest of the staff and defense had a better expectation of who will and will not be available for this game, so it’s probably not likely these opt-outs of Brisker or Ebiketie were accounted for in game planning in recent weeks.

Penn State did get some good news with some key defensive players deciding to return for another season, thus will be available for the Outback Bowl. Safety Ji’Ayir Brown, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and Jonathan Sutherland all confirmed they will return in 2022. And despite speculation, he may also be moving on, Jesse Luketa has arrived in Tampa and is practicing with the team this week. Luketa could see more time at linebacker this week as Penn State adjusts its defense.

Penn State faces Arkansas in the Outback Bowl in Tampa on Saturday, January 1, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

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Joey Porter Jr. confirms he will return to Penn State in 2022

Penn State’s secondary is beginning to look stabilized in 2022 with the latest decision made by Joey Porter Jr.

Another key member of Penn State’s defense has made a decision to some back for another season. Joey Porter Jr. announced with a statement on his Instagram account on Christmas Day, that he will be coming back for another season with the Nittany Lions, providing the defense a key player to help anchor the defensive secondary in 2022.

“At this time in my life, staying in college and completing my college degree is important to me and my family,” Porter said in his statement. “After much prayer, and discussion with my parents, I have decided to return to Penn State University.”

The return of Poirter Jr. is a big lift for the Penn State defense, which is slated to lose Jaquan Brisker and Tariq Castro-Fields in the secondary and is already losing a pair of starting linebackers in Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks. Jonathan Sutherland recently announced his decision to return for one more season, which could see him take on an increased role in the defense. Penn State is also getting Ji’Ayir Brown back for another season at the safety position, which is a big lift as well. And the return of Porter should give Penn State a key cornerback to count on next season.

Porter has shown great athleticism in Penn State’s defense since his arrival, although he has been at the center of some untimely penalties for the Nittany Lions during the 2021 season. Returning for another year should help continue to improve his professional outlook, following in his father’s footsteps to the NFL a year from now. The decision to put those NFL dreams on hold for another year apparently was not an easy one for the Penn State cornerback.

“This decision was not easy to make,” Porter went on to explain. “Playing in the NFL has been my lifelong goal and dream, but right now I think it’s important for me to finish what I started alongside my brothers & coaches at Penn State.”

Porter, potentially paired with Kalen King at the cornerback positions, should give Penn State a fun cornerback duo in 2022.

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What Penn State players were named All-Big Ten for 2021?

What Penn State players received all-Big Ten honors or honorable mention from B1G coaches and media in 2021?

Award season is upon us, and a number of Penn State players are receiving Big Ten accolades. The Big Ten unveiled its all-Big Ten rosters for the 2021 season as selected by the coaches and media around the conference. The Penn State defense landed two first-team All-Big Ten players after a very strong season.

Jaquan Brisker was one of four defensive backs to receive first-team accolades by the Big Ten coaches. Brisker joined Michigan’s Dax Hill and the Iowa duo of Dane Belton and Riley Moss on the first-team list.

Defensive lineman Arnold Ebiketie also landed on the first team after an impressive fall season after transferring from Temple. Ebikeitie was listed on the first-team defensive line along with Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson, Ohio State’s Haskell Garrett, and Purdue’s George Karlaftis. That would be one monster of a defensive line, for sure.

Jahan Dotson was the only Penn State player to receive All-Big Ten recognition on offense. Dotson was named to the second-team All-Big Ten along with Garrett Wilson of Ohio State. Ohio State’s Chris Olave and Purdue’s David Bell took the first-team honors.

On special teams, punter Jordan Stout was named first-team All-Big Ten. Of course, that should have been expected after Stout was named the Big Ten’s punter of the year. Dotson also received a third-team nod for All-Big Ten as a return specialist.

PJ Mustipher and Ellis Brooks each appeared on the second-team defense. Brandon Smith, Ji’Ayir Brown, and Joey Porter Jr. all appeared on the third team All-Big Ten list.

Sean Clifford, Juice Scruggs, and Rasheed Walker all earned honorable mention for the offense by the coaches. Walker was named third-team All-Big Ten by the Big Ten media, while Brenton Strange and Mike Miranda received an honorable mention by the media. Defensive honorable mentions went to Tariq Castro-Fields and Jesse Luketa as well. Luketa received third-team All-Big Ten by the media. the media also gave honorable mention nods to Mustipher, Brooks, Brown, and Curtis Jacobs in addition to those appearing on the coaches honorable mentions list.

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James Franklin comments on Joey Porter’s pass interference penalty issues

What James Franklin said when asked about the number of costly penalties by Joey Porter Jr. this season

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Whenever a team loses a game by just a small handful of points, as Penn State did on Saturday at Michigan State, coaches will go back and take a hard look at the numerous moments that could have led to a much different result. For Penn State, there were a handful of moments James Franklin and the Nittany Lions would love to have back in their 30-27 loss to the Spartans. Joey Porter Jr. being flagged for pass interference in a key spot should be high on the list.

Porter Jr. was flagged for pass interference on Michigan State’s top receiver, Jayden Reed, on a 3rd-and-Goal play late in the third quarter. It is unknown if Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker would have taken his chances with a field goal from the 13-yard line with a walk-on back-up kicker in snowy conditions or considered that four-down territory, so just how costly the penalty was could be undetermined.

Regardless, the penalty on Porter gave Michigan State a fresh set of downs from the Penn State two-yard line, and three plays later Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne got a push up the middle for a go-ahead Spartans touchdown. Instead of potentially preserving a 20-17 lead, Penn State was now down 23-20, and the Spartans would not lose the lead for the rest of the game.

After the game, Franklin was asked about the concerns with Porter and his abundance of costly penalties this season. The head coach of the Nittany Lions didn’t come right out and single out Porter in his response, but instead seemed to focus on how the coaching staff can work with the entire secondary to improve their technique moving forward.

“We’ve got to help them with not using his hands and not be so grabby,” Franklin explained in his response, according to Lions 247. “Obviously, when you get a number of penalties like that, just like we do, people turn it in ahead of time and you’ve got a bull’s eye on you.”

Needless to say, Porter seems to have a bullseye on him.

Porter’s pass interference certainly wasn’t the only reason Penn State lost to Michigan State on Saturday. The defense, which had been excellent in the red zone all season long, gave up four red zone touchdowns on five red zone opportunities for the Spartans. everyone can take some blame in that. Penn State also lost the turnover battle, 2-1, and rushed for just 61 yards as a team. The defense simply could not get off the field enough either, giving up 9 third-down conversions in 18 attempts and three of four fourth-down conversion attempts by the Spartans.

For Porter, he has had some really good moments this season and has been a steady player when put on the field. But the costly penalties tend to stick out the most, and he has been called for far too many this season.

Add that to the list of things to work on in the offseason.

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Report Card: Grading the Nittany Lions after a win against Rutgers

Report Card: Grading Penn State’s victory over Rutgers, where the defense and special teams earn high honors

Things didn’t exactly go as planned for Penn State on senior day against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, but the Nittany Lions still managed to get to the end of its final home game in Beaver Stadium on the winning side of things. And after the second half of the season playing out the way it has, that is not to take for granted.

Here are the grades for Penn State’s performance against Rutgers on Saturday afternoon in Beaver Stadium.

Quarterback: A-

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps this is more a grade specifically for Christian Veilleux, but we’ll go with it in this situation. Sean Clifford started the game but didn’t reach the end of the first quarter. things were tough for Penn State’s starter before getting knocked out of the game for the second time this season, and it took a little bit of time before Veilleux got in a groove.

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But it was difficult not to be impressed by Veilleux’s anticipated debut, especially given the circumstances. Veilleux threw three touchdown passes and made a few plays with his feet as well. And, best yet, it all helped lead to a win in a game that started off as sluggish as it could get.

NEXT: Running Back

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Report Card: Grading Penn State’s Loss to Ohio State

REPORT CARD: Grading Penn State’s individual performances in a loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes

Despite the loss, this was a different Penn State team from a week ago against Illinois. The Nittany Lions came in to Ohio Stadium in Week 9 with a chip on the shoulder and many doubted them. They opened the week as underdogs, giving Ohio State a three-touchdown favorite. However, Penn State still gave the Buckeyes a run for their money before coming up short in a 33-24 loss in Columbus.

Let’s take a more in-depth look and grade the performance of Penn State tonight.

Quarterbacks: A-

Oct 30, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) drops to throw during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Clifford came in this game with a chip on his shoulder, and boy did he show out. It was clear last week against Illinois that he was still banged up from his shoulder injury against Iowa. It also didn’t help that he didn’t practice much throughout the week leading into that game.

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Next: Running Backs

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Penn State football: Injury report roundup

Let’s get all caught up on the Penn State injury situation during the bye week

Penn State has the week off, but we have seen a whirlwind of events transpire these past few days, especially on the injury side of the Nittany Lions. Penn State has been lucky enough to have a very limited injury report this season. However, that wasn’t the case last weekend against Iowa.