Penn State Football Defensive Keys to Success in 2024 Season

Penn State Football’s defense was among the country’s best last season under former coordinator Manny Diaz.

The Nittany Lions ranked No.1 in rushing Defense, giving up just 75.5 yards per game. They also only gave up 13.5 points per game and defended the pass well.

With Tom Allen taking over the Defense and six returning starters slated to be back, the Nittany defense should be outstanding again.

Allen likes to run a 4-2-5; in that Defense, you must have an outstanding defensive line, which Penn State is slated to have.

The 4-2-5 Defense, which Penn State is adopting, relies heavily on the linebackers and safeties. They are responsible for working inside out, defending the middle of the field, and spilling the play outside to the overhang players.

Four players on the Nittany Lions front seven will be back: defensive tackles Zane Durant, Dvon Ellies, defensive end Abdul Carter, and linebacker Kobe King.

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It may be tough to be in the top- 10 in all meaningful categories, but it will all start up front with stopping the run.

With Durant Ellies in the middle, it will be hard for teams to run up the middle on the Nittany Lions. The Nittany Lions also have an emerging start on the defensive line in Dani Dennis-Sutton; he had 9.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks. Carter had 4.5 sacks last year.

If the Nittany Lions can effectively shut down the run, it will create opportunities for Dennis-Sutton, Carter, and the rest of the defensive line to attack the quarterback.

Penn State’s defense’s success hinges on its ability to stop the run.

On the back end, safeties Jaylen Reed and KJ Winston return to lead a deep secondary. They will play a key role in causing turnovers for the Nittany Lion’s defense.

It may be hard for the defense to be as good as last year, but I expect them to be just as good with all their talent. If the offensive can be more explosive, it would allow the defense to feast on opponents