Penn State Camp Battles: Jim Knowles Reveals Standouts at Key Positions
Reigning national champion defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has made his presence known in Happy Valley since jumping from the Ohio State Buckeyes staff to join Penn State head coach James Franklin on a national title hunt in 2025.
On Tuesday night after practice, Knowles answered questions from the media regarding his defense for the upcoming season.
In answering questions, Knowles provided an update on a few position battles happening in camp ahead of the Nittany Lions‘ August 30 kickoff. Here are the positions that Knowles gave an update on Tuesday night.
Penn State Football Position Battles Heating Up
5th Defensive Back
Knowles was asked about the battle for the Nittany Lions‘ fifth defensive back for the 2025 season, a position that is expected to get major playing time in Knowles’ 4-2-5 scheme.
First, Knowles mentioned Zion Tracy at the position, who was mentioned in the question about the fifth defensive back spot. Knowles noted that Tracy “is doing great. He’s got all the tools to be excellent at that position with all the things we ask of him”.
Afterwards, Knowles also brought up redshirt freshman Kenny Woseley at the position, competing with Zion Tracy.
Knowles commented, “He’s a real playmaker…He’s smaller, but he’s got that football sense, football intelligence, so I think he’s going to be a real factor at that position also.”
After a follow-up question about how much rotation to expect at the fifth defensive back spot, Knowles commented, “It depends. If a guy is close to being a starter, we’ll rotate. If there’s separation, we won’t.”
Strong Safety
Penn State’s free safety position is covered with returning starter Zakee Wheatley this season. However, on the opposite side, there is a fall camp battle ongoing between quite a few players for the strong safety position.
Knowles was asked about the battle at strong safety Tuesday night, and specifically how Dejuan Lane and King Mack are performing.
Knowles first noted that Penn State is “not close yet” to naming a starter at the position with both Lane and Mack “having good camps.”
Knowles also mentioned that Antoine Belgrave-Shorter is “on the rise” and in the competition for the second safety spot.
“If you’re going to play two safeties,” Knowles said. “You’re going to play the best two. I think all three of those guys are in the competition for the second spot.”
Defensive Tackle
Defensive tackle is another position with an entrenched star returning for the Nittany Lions, Zane Durant, who could potentially be the best defensive tackle in the nation in 2025.
Besides and behind Durant, however, the Nittany Lions are still looking to fill out the depth chart ahead of the season.
When Knowles was asked about the position Tuesday night, he first mentioned the the top of the depth chart beside Durant.
“Ford has been impressive to me…Xavier Gilliam has been very impressive,” Knowles noted.
After Ford and Gilliam, Knowles mentioned that there are a bunch of other guys competing at the position.
“Wafle is competing…Ty Blanding is competing.” Knowles continued, “There’s enough good players” at the position, Knowles and defensive line coach Deion Barnes just have to figure out which order they stand in to start the season. To finish off his remarks on the defensive tackle room, Knowles noted that Xavier Gilliam stands out the most after the top two of Durant and Alonzo Ford.
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In his final question, Knowles was asked about who stood out on the offense as the Penn State defensive coordinator. His answer shows just how heavily Knowles is focused in on the defensive personnel for Penn State, as Knowles notes that he can’t pick out specific players because he is focused in on the defense.
Knowles did note that “they all look pretty damn good to me.”
As noted throughout the offseason, these three position battles could continue to play out into the season as Penn State opens the season with three relatively easy non-conference opponents.
Knowles will, however, want to lock down a lineup ahead of Penn State’s Big Ten opener against the reigning Big Ten champion Oregon Ducks in the 2025 White Out game.
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