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Penn State Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

By Connor Muldowney

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 03: James Franklin, head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, celebrates with the Big Ten Championship trophy after Penn State beat the Wisconsin Badgers 38-31 at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 3, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 03: James Franklin, head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, celebrates with the Big Ten Championship trophy after Penn State beat the Wisconsin Badgers 38-31 at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 3, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 10: Marcus Allen #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after sacking Zander Diamont #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half during the game on October 10, 2015 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 10: Marcus Allen #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after sacking Zander Diamont #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half during the game on October 10, 2015 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Defense

As you may know, Penn State has been known as ‘LBU’ over the last number of years. The Nittany Lions have put linebackers in the NFL at a high rate and they always seem to have three All-Big Ten caliber starters.

This year is no different. Middle linebacker Jason Cabinda is entering his senior year and looks to be an all-conference star. He finished with 80 total tackles, four for loss and a sack in 2016. The senior in the middle will be joined by returning starting outside linebacker, Manny Bowen. He added 67 tackles, 8.5 for loss and two sacks.

The third linebacker spot seems to be Cameron Brown’s to lose. The former highly-touted backer had a strong freshman season, recording 33 tackles and 0.5 sacks. Don’t sleep on him as a first-year starter — he’s an athletic specimen.

The defensive line returns two starting cogs in the middle. Junior Parker Cothren and senior Curtis Cothran are back as returning starting tackles. The former had 18 tackles and 1.5 sacks and Cothran finished with seven tackles for loss and a sack in 2016. This should be a bright spot.

At the ends, Shareef Miller and Torrence Brown enter the season as first-year starters. There should be no reason to worry here as both were productive in backup roles last year. Shane Simmons and Ryan Buchholz will play understudy roles.

Secondary becoming elite?

Sure, you can look at the numbers and laugh the notion off, but Penn State’s secondary has elite potential. They struggled in games against Ohio State, Indiana and USC, but every team has contests like that where seemingly nothing can go right. However, the Nittany Lions need more consistency.

Grant Haley returns at cornerback and the senior needs to step up and be a leader. He is joined by senior and first-year starter Christian Campbell who had an interception and six pass deflections last season. Their backups are younger stars but they’re highlighted by freshman Lamont Wade, a former blue-chipper.

At safety, Marcus Allen could be the best in the Big Ten. He had 110 total tackles, leading the team, in 2016, to go along with six tackles for loss and three pass deflections. He was all over the field and looks to continue that in his final year. Sophomore Ayron Monroe has breakout potential written all over him, but he must live up to the hype as a starter.

This unit has an unlimited ceiling, but can it show improvement?

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