Penn State Football: 5 incoming freshmen who’ll have instant impact in 2019

James Franklin is no stranger to recruiting and he’s brought in another top class to Penn State football. Which freshmen will have an impact right away?

It’s been an interesting ride for James Franklin in Happy Valley as the Nittany Lions’ head coach has gone from Big Ten title win to double-digit win seasons but now he’s replacing a plethora of players due to transfers from the program as well as departures to the NFL.

There may be no team in the Big Ten who will be replacing more production on the offensive side of the ball in 2019 than Penn State as both Trace McSorley and Miles Sanders will be gone.

Could the Nittany Lions turn to the 2019 recruiting class to make some key replacements? They have a talented group coming in, so don’t be surprised to see them hit the field early on.

Penn State has a loaded class, but only a handful will have an immediate impact.

Let’s face it, the loss of Shareef Miller is a tough one for Penn State’s defense. He was the leader of that defensive line last season and finished with 15 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks which will make him difficult to replace, but the Nittany Lions are bringing in four-star Adisa Isaac from Brooklyn, N.Y., who will help fill his spot.

The starting job will likely go to Shaka Toney who’s entering his junior season and had a strong 2018 campaign with seven tackles for loss and five sacks.

That doesn’t exclude Isaac from earning playing time, though. He is ranked the No. 92 player in the class and the fourth-best weak-side defensive end, per 247Sports.

Isaac needs to add some weight to his 6-5, 220-pound frame, but he has the look of a monster at the next level and could be the next star on the defensive line. Plus, he’s an early enrollee.