Penn State football 2017: Projected Nittany Lions depth chart

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after making a 7-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the USC Trojans during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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Penn State defensive tackle Kevin Givens hugs defensive end Shareef Miller, right, after Miller’s successful tackle during action against Maryland on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. Penn State won, 38-14. (Phoebe Sheehan/Centre Daily Times/TNS via Getty Images) /

Defense

Notable Losses: Much like with the offense, the losses for Penn State on defense aren’t that numerous, but they were big players for them last season. Losing defensive end Garrett Sickels will be big at defensive end, as will Malik Golden at safety. Brandon Bell at linebacker, however, is a bit easier to replace.

DE: Torrence Brown, junior (RS)
DL: Curtis Cothran, junior (RS)
DL: Parker Cothren, junior (RS)
DE: Shareef Miller, sophomore (RS)

Even with the loss of Sickels, this front four looks quite good coming into the 2017 season for the Nittany Lions. There could be some shuffling and heavy rotational work with Shareerf Miller on the edge, but that’s largely just due to quality young depth rather than anything to do with him. Regardless, he’s the starter and this unit should be quality.

WLB: Manny Bowen, junior
MLB: Jason Cabdina, senior
SLB: Koa Farmer, junior (RS)

As stated, there’s no real worry about the linebackers at all. This is a strong group with a ton of experience and even more depth behind them. They also have Cameron Brown, who can play on either side as an outside linebacker if need be. This should be a real strength of the defense.

CB: Grant Haley, senior
S: Marcus Allen, senior
S: Troy Apke, senior
CB: Christian Campbell, senior
Nickel: Lamont Wade, freshman

The injury to star cornerback John Reid lingers over this group as he was to be the anchor. Even still, this is one of the deeper groups on the entire roster. As such they should be fine. Safety is less deep, but they have the luxury of slotting a number of guys in either slot as they are all versatile enough to do so. Meanwhile, Lamont Wade looked like a stud as a true freshman and should earn his keep as a nickel corner right away.

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Special Teams

K: Tyler Davis, senior (RS)
P: Blake Gillikin, sophomore
KR: Miles Sanders, sophomore
PR: DeAndre Thompkins, junior (RS)

This group pretty much rings of the status quo that they rolled with last season. Their returners are great and capable of winning the field position batter, while Davis and Gillikin were strong as well.

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