Penn State Class of 2024 defensive preview: BWI Daily
This week’s focus is on the class of 2023, with Penn State landing four-star receiver Carmelo Taylor and three-star quarterback Jaxon Smolik. Yet August is a typically slow period for recruiting in the current cycle so it’s also a good time to discuss the next class. Host Thomas Frank Carr and recruiting insider Ryan Snyder finish up their look at the Penn State prospects in the class of 2024 by focusing on the defense.
Penn State off to a strong start at edge
They start up front with the defensive line. Edge defender is once again deep in the region with several nationally relevant players. However, according to Snyder, the name to know for the Nittany Lions is four-star defensive end Dominic Nichols. After that, Snyder and T-Frank go through the top names, including Brian Robinson and Jaylen Harvey.
The defensive tackle board is less clear at this point, but DeMatha Catholic lineman Emmett Laws is a name to know at the position.
Next up is the explosive group of linebackers in 2024. Several players already have made names for themselves, including Pittsburgh Catholic’s Anthony Speca and Good Counsel’s Aaron Chiles. Snyder mentions several other names that are key to the group.
Cornerback lacks clarity in the region for second year
Philadelphia natives Kenny Woseley Jr and Omillio Agard are critical pieces to the pictures at cornerback. Still, the group needs to shake out more in the months to come, according to Snyder.
Finally, a deep and long list of safeties rounds out the show.
Scouting Penn State’s first opponent, Purdue QB Aidan O’Connell: T-Frank Friday
Each Friday, film analyst and host of the BWI Daily Edition, Thomas Frank Carr, reviews the week and provides some extra context to what he learned and shared with the members of Blue White Illustrated about Penn State football. To join the conversation and ask BWI’s film analyst a question, join T-Frank, on the Lions Den message board.
Penn State practice observations, good signs for injured players
One of the most critical questions for Penn State this fall is the health of its defensive line, specifically defensive tackle PJ Mustipher and defensive end Adisa Isaac. Mustipher is coming back from a mid-season ACL injury and has seemingly beaten any normal timeline for the rehab process. My first glimpse of Mustipher since returning to play came on Wednesday when he went through warmup drills. While it’s a minimal window, Mustipher looked good going through bags, cutting, and changing directions.
Even more impressive, but maybe more expected, was Isaac. The redshirt junior defensive end worked his way back from an Achilles injury sustained last summer and looked as explosive as ever going through drills. He participated in spring football for Penn State but did not have the clear to go in live contact periods during the Blue-White Game. However, it seems that his former explosiveness is back.
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