Penn State football: First-look 2019 depth chart projections

Penn State will look to be contenders again in the Big Ten next year. Here is an early look at the 2019 depth chart.

Since James Franklin took over the Penn State Nittany Lions five years ago, the program has been one of the toughest in the Big Ten year in and year out. Last year the Nittany Lions finished 9-3 and third in the conference standings. The team finished ranked No. 17 in the final AP poll but fell to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl 27-24.

Like many other teams, Penn State will be reloading at several key positions on both sides of the ball. With the likes of quarterback Trace McSorley, running back Miles Sanders and receiver DeAndre Thompkins departing to the NFL, the Nittany Lions will look towards the next wave.

The good news is that several key players on defense are returning. Linebackers Micah Parsons and Jan Johnson led a unit last year that finished 34th in the country in total defense and overall one of the best in the Big Ten. In five of their games, the Nittany Lions allowed less than 15 points.

While a defense with several starters set to return is a good sign, the question becomes: How will the offense look with all new starters at the skill positions?

Tommy Stevens only completed eight passes all last year backing up McSorley and the consensus is he will take over as the starter. Fellow running back Ricky Slade and K.J. Hamler are coming off strong freshmen seasons, but will they continue their success in 2019? We take a closer look at the early depth chart projections for Penn State in 2019.