Manny Diaz – Page 29 – Syndication Server

Penn State football snapshot: No. 7 Jaylen Reed

Penn State defensive back Jaylen Reed will be adding depth to the defensive secondary in 2022.

Penn State may not be as known for it’s defensive back prowess but they are starting to carve out some talent. The next face of the position should be [autotag]Jaylen Reed[/autotag].

Jaylen Reed was a freshman for the Nittany Lions last year but he was able to make appearances in eight games. He never saw a ton of meaningful snaps but he did get to play in some big games such as Ohio State and the bowl game against Arkansas.

This year though he has a chance to be the star safety on the team for new defensive coordinator [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag]. Diaz has produced several star-NFL safeties during his careers at both Texas and Miami, Penn State should be no different.

Keep in mind, the departure of [autotag]Jaquan Brisker[/autotag] there is a hole at the position for Reed to fill.

Where is Penn State in ESPN’s future top 25?

Where is Penn State in ESPN’s future top 25 college football ranking?

Penn State has finished in the middle of the pack of the Big Ten standings the past couple of seasons, but the future still looks promising for head coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] and the Nittany Lions. Coming off an incredible Class of 2022 and off to a stellar start to the Class of 2023 recruiting efforts, there still appears to be plenty of talent making its way to State College. But can Franklin and Penn State build off the potential of the roster to achieve more success in the win column?

Every summer, ESPN takes a look into the future to see how each college football program potentially stacks up in a variety of categories for the next three seasons. This list was recently updated with a prediction on how programs will fare overall over the next three seasons starting with the 2022 season and running through the 2024 season. Not too surprisingly, Alabama tops this year’s updated list, just as it did last year at this time.

So where does Penn State stand in the future rankings from ESPN?

This year’s future ranking from ESPN has Penn State at No. 15. This is three spots lower than last season (No. 12). The most glaring reason for Penn State’s drop in the future rankings is partly due to the recent rises of Michigan (No. 8 this year after not being ranked last year) and Michigan State (No. 18 this year, not ranked a year ago). Throw in the fact that Ohio State is No. 3 and it is clear that Penn State is in a difficult division. This we already knew, but an improved Michigan and Michigan State always makes the division that much tougher.

Another key nugget to consider is the leadership on the staff. This ranking factors in the likelihood that defensive coordinator [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag] is potentially a short-term staff member with a head coaching opportunity surfacing before the 2024 season for the former Miami head coach.

If there is one thing this ranking stresses, it is that Penn State has talent on the roster to be a top 15 team by default. What Penn State does with that talent and potential is what will shape whether or not the Nittany Lions can be a Big Ten title challenger to the Buckeyes and a potential playoff candidate or if they float around mediocrity once again.

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CBS Sports writer says take over on Penn State win total in 2022

CBS Sports writer shares his advice on Penn State and other Big Ten win totals for 2022.

As we approach the start of another college football season, there continue to be some mixed reactions on just how to properly evaluate where Penn State will fit into the picture in 2022. But according to one writer for CBS Sports, you can probably count on the Nittnay Lions winning a good share of games this fall.

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports recently broke down some win totals for the upcoming season and suggests there should be confidence in taking Penn State to go over a projected win total of 8.5. Fornelli notes that the last two seasons have thrown a bit of a curveball at analysts examining Penn State, and justifiably so. A program with plenty of talent on the roster has gone just .500 over the past two seasons. But Fornelli thinks the Nittany Lions have a bit of a rebound in them this season.

“I firmly believe that Penn State is better than the team we’ve seen the last two seasons,” Fornelli explained. “I don’t take anything that happened in the Big Ten in 2020 too seriously, and there are reasons to think the Nittany Lions will take a step forward this year. They’re still one of the more talented teams in the conference, and quarterback [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] will be playing under the same offensive coordinator in consecutive seasons for the first time in his career.”

Clifford announced his decision to return for a sixth season of eligibility. As Fornelli notes and has been mentioned multiple times over the course of this offseason, Clifford will finally have a chance to work with the same offensive coordinator for a second full season in [autotag]Mike Yurcich[/autotag]. Yurcich has some room to improve after mediocre results last season as well, and we look forward to seeing if these two can put it all together this fall.

But the offense is just one half of the picture. The Penn State defense, with a new defensive coordinator in [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag], has some big shoes to fill. But there are players more than equipped to step in and keep the defense a strength overall.

“Despite losing a few key components, the defense should still be good,” Fornelli suggests. “Finally, the schedule isn’t too bad. The Lions get Ohio State and Michigan State at home, and a road trip to Auburn won’t be nearly as difficult as it looked like it would be when it was scheduled.”

Penn State may face a tougher schedule than Fornelli indicates. Opening the season on the road for a Thursday night game at Purdue is no easy task, and Penn State also has to travel to Michigan Stadium to face the defending Big Ten champions in a stadium that rarely yields positive results for Penn State (although they did win their last trip there two seasons ago).

Penn State could have a 10-win season in them if September goes well with road wins at Purdue and Auburn, but it would be reasonable if you were hesitant to pick nine wins from a program that has come up short of expectations the past two seasons the way Penn State has.

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Penn State and Michigan State battling for four-star safety King Mack

Where Penn State stands in the recruiting process of four-star Florida safety King Mack

A pair of Big Ten schools appear to be coming down the final stretch in the recruiting process for [autotag]King Mack[/autotag], a four-star safety from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After back-to-back official visits to East Lansing and State College, the Nittany Lions still appear to be on the inside track to Mack’s commitment.

Penn State has assembled some good quality depth in the defensive secondary in recent years. After the secondary was a strength of the team in 2021, the collective unit looks to once again be a strength in 2022. But Penn State will be in need of some new blood at the safety position after the 2022 season with expected departures of [autotag]Ji’Ayir Broan[/autotag] and [autotag]Keaton Ellis[/autotag] after this season. Adding a four-star talent to the safety depth chart would be great news for Penn State head coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] and defensive coordinator [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag].

The month of June has shown more and more traction for Penn State based on the recruiting predictions coming in and a decision is expected to be announced at some point this summer. Penn State already has a commitment from Mack’s high school teammate [autotag]Conrad Hussey[/autotag] and the two could end up remaining teammates in Happy Valley.

Here’s a look at Mack’s recruiting profile as he approaches his decision date.

King Mack’s Recruiting Profile

Rich Rodriguez plucks Penn State analyst for Jacksonville State staff

Penn State loses analyst to coordinator job with Rich Rodriguez and Jacksonville State.

It seems like so long ago that Rich Rodriguez was the hottest name in college football, lifting up West Virginia to heights they never imagined. He rode that momentum all the way to a big payday from Michigan but the Big Ten quickly humbled him and his wave of momentum. He finds himself back in the Big Ten though, not to coach, but to get a coach for his new staff.

Rodriguez took over the job at Jacksonville State in November of last year. The FCS program has seen recent success and Rodriguez’s offense is a reason for further optimism. To help run his offense he decided the best man for the job was on [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag]’s staff, [autotag]Rod Smith[/autotag].

Rodriguez had a short term in the Big Ten coaching Michigan going 15-22 in three seasons before being fired. Michigan had themselves on quite the carousel after losing the once-hot commodity, it seems they are now more than happy with Michigan alum, Jim Harbaugh.

As for Rod Smith, he joined Penn State’s staff just this year after being an offensive analyst for Bronco Mendenhall’s staff at Virginia. Once Mendenhall resigned, Smith drove north and got a job with Franklin. In a short time frame, he turned that into an even bigger role now with Rodriguez.

Smith will be the new offensive coordinator for Jacksonville State in 2022 but Rodriguez didn’t just promote some offensive analyst. Smith is actually reuniting with Rodriguez. The two worked together at Glenville State, one of Rodriguez’s first head coaching jobs that helped him mold his offensive flair with a no-huddle offense.

His quarterback at Glenville State? Rod Smith.

Smith also served as an offensive coordinator for Rodriguez when Rodriguez was the head coach at Arizona. Smith was also a part of Rodriguez’s coaching staff at West Virginia and Michigan before that.

Even though he was only on staff for a short time, we can add another name to the James Franklin coaching tree. James Franklin has long had success being a pit stop of sorts for college coaches and Smith proved to be no exception.

Just this year, Franklin has had to replace two coordinators in [autotag]Brent Pry[/autotag] and [autotag]Joe Lorig[/autotag] on the defensive and special teams. He brought in coach looking for a rehab stint of sorts in Manny Diaz to be the defensive coordinator., It remains to be seen just how long Diaz will be sticking around.

The bottom line here is Franklin will always be sending coaches off to promotions and he will always find more than suitable replacements. This is a trait that should not be overlooked when analyzing how we view Franklin.

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James Franklin expects a big piece of the defense to be ready for season opener

James Franklin says a Penn State this team captain is expected to play in Week 1.

The expectations remain high for the Penn State defense in 2022, and the return of a healthy [autotag]PJ Mustipher[/autotag] is a big part of that equation up front on the defensive line. According to head coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag], Mustipher is on track to be ready to play in Penn State’s season opener at Purdue.

Franklin confirmed as much during a midweek summer media session with reporters.

The return of Mustipher was always to be expected, but fRanklin’s suggestion the staff is preparing for him to be available in Week 1 is just another strong show of positivity regarding Mustipher’s outlook for the new season.

Mustipher is coming back from a left knee injury he suffered in a road game at Iowa last season. The injury knocked Mustipher out for the remainder of the 2021 season after undergoing surgery. Mustipher was not used in spring practices but has continued to be a leader of the team to continue serving as a team captain.

Franklin did previously suggest Mustipher was on a good track in his recovery, and it seems nothing has changed on that front in a negative way. If Mustipher truly is ready for the season opener, that would be a big lift for what should be a solid defensive unit overall in 2022 under new defensive coordinator [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag].

Penn State opens the 2022 season on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Purdue. The game will air on FOX.

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Penn State Recruiting snapshot: 3-star recruit safety Conrad Hussey

A snapshot profile of Penn State Class of 2023 safety Conrad Hussey.

The safety position and the depth chart around that position has been lacking as of late, [autotag]Conrad Hussey[/autotag] committed to Penn State in hopes of fixing that.

Coming out of the illustrious Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida, Hussey was and is a leader on that team defense that won the state title this past season. Coming to Penn State he had to have been sold on the staff [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] has put together headlined by defensive coordinator [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag].

Manny Diaz has been a proven developer and groomer of young talent on defense. Whether it was at Texas or Miami, Diaz was able to get the most out of his guys before they made their way to the NFL. By the time Hussey gets to that point though we may be looking at a different Penn State team, hopefully he goes from leading a state title defense to a national championship defense.

Penn State Snapshot Profile: No. 16 Ji’Ayir Brown

Penn State safety Ji’Ayir Brown had a breakout 2021 season and is ready to become a new field general for the Penn State defense in 2022. Snapshot profile…

A common theme with defensive starters this year for Penn State is replacing NFL draftees. There is no difference at the safety position. [autotag]Jaquan Brisker[/autotag] was the field general for the Penn State defense last year but now new defensive coordinator [autotag]Manny Diaz [/autotag]is looking for a new one.

He may have it in the form of one [autotag]Ji’Ayir Brown[/autotag].

Brown earned plenty of solid game reps last year as he appeared in 13 games but he didn’t have the responsibilities that he is facing now. Diaz has shown he can coach up safeties from his days at both Texas and Miami, Brown is his latest star pupil.

Will he be able to handle all that Brown will be throwing at him? Signs point to yes but that still makes stepping into the limelight a tough task for anyone but with the staff in place and the supporting cast on defense, he should be okay.

Penn State football photos: Dvon Ellies providiing depth in 2022

Penn State defensive tackle Dvon Ellies is ready to contribute more in 2022. Here are some photos of the rising defensive tackle for the Nittany Lions.

Heading into the 2022 college football season will see Penn State replacing a number of key players on the defensive side of the ball. The defensive line loses two players to the NFL but appears to be in solid shape overall with the return of a healthy [autotag]PJ Mustipher[/autotag] and a stable of defensive linemen ready to step into notable roles. Among those to keep an eye on in the middle may be [autotag]Dvon Ellies[/autotag], a redshirt junior who may not be a starter but could have an impact on the success of the defense this season.

Ellies could be the top backup at defensive tackle behind Mustipher, but it would not be shocking to see Ellies get involved in some big moments given his ability to make a big play when he is on the field. Penn State caught some really glimpses of what Ellies could do in an otherwise forgettable Outback Bowl at the end of the 2021 season. New defensive coordinator [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag] should be excited about finding ways for Ellies to contribute to the defensive effort this season.

ESPN not too high on future defensive outlook for Penn State defense

ESPN ranked the future defensive rankings. Where does Penn State rank over the next three seasons?

Penn State will have some new looks on the defensive side of the football this fall. After sending off four players through the NFL draft — [autotag]Jaquan Brisker[/autotag], [autotag]Brandon Smith[/autotag], [autotag]Tariq Castro-Fields[/autotag], and [autotag]Jesse Luketa[/autotag] — in the spring, the Nittany Lions will have some big shoes to fill in the fall. And with a new defensive coordinator, [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag], the fate of the defense is one to pay close attention to for Penn State in 2022. But despite all of the turnover on the entire defensive side of things, there are some good reasons to be excited about what the defense could be capable of doing this year.

But what about what happens after 2022? What might the Penn State defense look like in 2023, and again in 2024? ESPN took a look into its analytical crystal ball to see how the best defenses in the nation may stack up over the span of the next three seasons. And while things look pretty solid overall for Penn State, the ESPN ranking of future defensive strengths wasn’t particularly high on what Penn State will be doing on defense.

Penn State comes in at an otherwise respectable No. 17, matching its outlook in the 2021 version of this three-year window exercise. But compared to the rest of the Big Ten, Penn State has some catching up to do on defense.

Wisconsin has the best three-year projection on defense in the Big Ten according to ESPN’s ranking. The Badgers rank No. 5 overall in ESPN’s ranking, which is led by Clemson and followed by Georgia, Texas A&M, and Alabama before reaching the Badgers. Iowa has the second-best projection among Big Ten teams by coming in at No. 7, with only Notre Dame sitting between the Hawkeyes and Badgers.

Michigan checks in at No. 10 after an incredibly strong season en route to a Big Ten title in 2021. Just behind the Wolverines is Ohio State at No. 11 in ESPN’s ranking.

Penn State is the fifth-best Big ten team in defensive futures according to ESPN’s methodology here. No other Big Ten team managed to break into the top 25.

You can check out the entire future defensive ranking from ESPN with an ESPN+ subscription.

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