BWI Live: Where can the Penn State linebackers and defensive tackles take it to a new level this year?
The Penn State football team is working hard in winter conditioning to improve its collective abilities for the upcoming 2024 season. This offseason, we’re examining one area that each unit can improve and one strength each position group brings back for the Fall. On today’s BWI Live Show, we’re discussing that series and looking at where the linebackers and defensive tackles can take a step next season.
Check out the full show embedded in this article, or subscribe to the Blue-White Illustrated YouTube Channel to catch the show airing live at 10 a.m.
Penn State linebackers are working on tackling
There was one standout reason why Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter seemed to have a down year, despite some notable progress as a player in 2023. We dove into the number of missed tackles he had earlier this month.
According to PFF, Carter whiffed on 28.1% of his tackles last season. That’s an alarmingly high number, which ranks fourth-most among Power Four linebackers with at least 250 defensive snaps. In fairness ot Carter, this number took a hit after he tried to play through an injury in the Peach Bowl and missed three tackles while hobbled.
However, Carter is just the group’s headliner. On today’s show, we discuss which players at his position can improve their tackling and how the Penn State linebacker unit can take the step into superstardom after a great end to the 2023 regular season.
Defensive tackles pushing the pocket
The Penn State defensive tackles came into last season as the team’s biggest question mark. Fans and media openly questioned their ability to stop the run. Yet it quickly became clear that the group was ready to play and became a team strength against the run in 2023. But there’s a new level of productivity this group can reach in new Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s defense. Here’s the start of that conversation.
Hakeem Beamon (14) and Zane Durant (13) tied for 20th and 22nd, respectively, to lead the team’s defensive tackle position in total pressure. Coziah Izzard was right behind them with 12 pressures. Also, according to PFF, Izzard finished the season with four sacks, while Durant had three.
Allen’s new system will likely emphasize defensive tackles getting to the passer by virtue of one key situation the group was largely excluded from last season. Check out today’s show for the full conversation on the team’s interior pass rush.
