Penn State projected depth chart for Outback Bowl: New starters will be seen on both sides of the ball
Tampa, Fla. — Penn State meets Arkansas on Saturday in the Outback Bowl.
The Nittany Lions lineup will look much different than it has for the rest of the 2021 season.
Six starters have opted out of the New Year’s Day matchup with the Razorbacks to prepare for the NFL Draft. One offensive lineman who usually mans a first-team spot is unavailable, as well.
Thus, head coach James Franklin and his staff have a new puzzle to solve prior to kickoff. They must put together both a new starting lineup on both sides of the ball and also fill out their two-deep in a way they haven’t had to before.
“At the end of the day, the reality is you got to find a way to get it done. As one door closes, another door opens,” Franklin said earlier this week. “It’s an opportunity for another player. I think it’s also going to give us a really good kind of picture of what our future is going to be. Guys are going to get a bunch of reps in this game that maybe hadn’t throughout the season.
“There’s some challenges, no doubt about it. Our guys are excited. I think there’s also some tremendous leaders out there that we’re depending on, are going to need to step up for us, no doubt about it.”
Penn State did not release a depth chart in 2021 for competitive reasons. BWI has predicted what it could look like all season long, however, in an unofficial capacity. Here’s our final crack at it prior to kickoff at Raymond James Stadium.
Quarterback
Starter: No. 14 Sean Clifford
Backup: No. 9 Christian Veilleux
Third-string: No. 17 Mason Stahl
The lowdown: These are the only three quarterbacks still on the roster. We saw all three here in the Sunshine State during a pair of open practices.
Running back
Starter: No. 24 Keyvone Lee
Backup: No. 21 Noah Cain
Third-string: No. 28 Devyn Ford
The lowdown: Penn State could start Lee or Cain, but the former was their most productive back down the stretch. He’s also from Florida. Thus, we’re willing to bet he gets the nod.
Wide receiver
Wide receiver
Starter: No. 6 Cam Sullivan-Brown
Backup: No. 88 Malick Meiga
Wide Receiver
Starter: No 13 KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Backup: No. 88 Malick Meiga
Wide Receiver
Starter: No. 3 Parker Washington
Backup: No. 88 Malick Meiga
The lowdown: The Lions will be without Jahan Dotson, who opted out. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Meiga starts over Sullivan-Brown, but both should play plenty. We could end up seeing Marquis Wilson, Liam Clifford, and/or Harrison Wallace, as well.
Tight end
Starter: No. 86 Brenton Strange
Backup: No. 84 Theo Johnson
Third-string: No. 44 Tyler Warren
The lowdown: The Lions have had many changes in the leadup to their postseason matchup. Tight end is not one of them, however. This stays the same.
Penn State offensive line
Left Tackle
Starter: No. 74 Olu Fashanu
Backup: No. 58 Landon Tengwall
Left Guard
Starter No. 68 Eric Wilson
Backup: No. 72 Bryce Effner
Center
Starter: No. 70 Juice Scruggs
Backup: No. 73Mike Miranda OR No. 68 Eric Wilson
Right Guard
Starter: No. 73 Mike Miranda
Backup: No. 70 Juice Scruggs OR No. 72 Bryce Effner
Right Tackle
Starter: No. 79 Caedan Wallace
Backup: No. 72 Bryce Effner OR No. 58 Landon Tengwall
The lowdown: With Rasheed Walker out, Fashanu will draw his first start in blue and white. The odds also point to Scruggs starting at center and Miranda guard, but they could also rotate throughout the game. Expect Tengwall to see a handful of series, as well.
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Defensive line
Defensive End
Starter: No. 46 Nick Tarburton
Backup: No. 92 Smith Vilbert OR No. 36 Zuriah Fisher
Defensive Tackle
Starter: No. 99 Coziah Izzard
Backup: No. 56 Amin Vanover OR No. 55 Fatorma Mulbah OR No. 53 Fred Hansard
Defensive Tackle
Starter: No. 91 D’Von Ellies
Backup: No. 56 Amin Vanover OR No. 55 Fatorma Mulbah OR No. 53 Fred Hansard
Defensive End
Starter: No. 92 Smith Vilbert
Backup: No. 36 Zuriah Fisher
The lowdown: Penn State is down a pair of starting ends as Arnold Ebiketie opted out while Jesse Luketa is expected to play mostly linebacker. The Lions also need another defensive tackle starter with Derrick Tangelo also sitting out. This is a group light on numbers and experience. Someone will need to step up in a big way.
Linebacker
WILL Linebacker
Starter: No. 23 Curtis Jacobs
No. 45 Charlie Katshir OR No. 43 Jamari Buddin
Middle Linebacker
Starter: No. 40 Jesse Luketa
Backup: No. 43 Tyler Elsdon OR No. 41 Kobe King
SAM Linebacker
Starter: No. 0 Jonathan Sutherland
Backup: No. 45 Charlie Katshir OR No. 43 Jamari Buddin
The lowdown: This is another spot with a big shuffle. Jacobs flips over to the weakside spot that Brandon Smith left vacant. Sutherland, then, bumps up to fill the strongside slot. Finally, Luketa will drop back to middle linebacker. Penn State will burn either King’s or Buddin’s redshirt, and maybe both.
Secondary
Corner
Starter: No. 5 Tariq Castro-Fields
Backup: No. 25 Daequan Hardy
Third-string: No. 3 Johnny Dixon OR No. 4 Kalen King
Safety
Starter: No. 16 Ji’Ayir Brown
Backup: No. 7 Jaylen Reed
Safety
Backup: No. 7 Jaylen Reed
Cornerback
Starter: No. 9 Joey Porter Jr.
Backup: No. 25 Daequan Hardy OR No. 4 Kalen King
Third-string: No. 3 Johnny Dixon
Starting slot corner
No. 25 Daequan Hardy
The lowdown: With no Jaquan Brisker, Ellis steps into a starting role. Expect to see tons of freshman Jaylen Reed, too. Penn State could be in worse shape here.
Penn State Special teams
Kicker: No. 98 Jordan Stout
Punter: No. 98 Jordan Stout
Kickoff specialist: No. 98 Jordan Stout
Punt returner: No. 5 Marquis Wilson
Kick returners: No. 24 Keyvone Lee OR No. 28 Devyn Ford OR No. 25 Daequan Hardy
The lowdown: Wilson is the only Lion to field a punt besides Dotson. And, it was only one. So, Penn State could go with Hardy or someone else there.
