What is PJ Mustipher's status for Penn State as summer workouts continue?

STATE COLLEGE — PJ Mustipher missed the second half of the 2021 Penn State football season due to injury. The veteran defender could have opted to leave school for the NFL Draft despite that fact back in January. However, the Owing Mills, Md., native instead decided to get surgery and start rehabbing, all with the goal of being ready for the 2022 opener.

That is still the goal as of June 8, when head coach James Franklin held his first media scrum with reporters here since the Blue-White game.

Mustipher is undoubtedly chomping at the bit to get back into full-contact drills with his teammates. But, the task at hand is making sure he’s ready for both Purdue and this fall’s entire slate as opposed to cutting corners that could possibly lead to further and/or a different injury.

“We expect him ready by game one,” Franklin said. “I think it’s a little bit different with a veteran player. I think sometimes, with younger players that haven’t played a whole lot, you’re kind of anxious, almost rushing them, to get back as soon as you possibly can. But, with a player experienced as he is; PJ’s a hard-charging guy.

“We actually had to do the opposite, and pull him back. But mentally, he’ll obviously be ready. And physically, he’s pretty far along.”

Mustipher will provide a big boost for Penn State on and off the field

If you’ve spent any time watching the sidelines during a game, you know that Mustipher is the kind of player who is the heart and soul of his unit and team. He’s fiery and fiercely competitive, but also has a lighter side that when meshed together makes him the ideal leader.

Penn State undoubtedly missed those qualities during the second half of last season, even if he was still around the program as often as he could be.

It’s that kind of drive that surely has him eager to get through rehab and recovery and back to full workouts and competition. But, all of that will come in due time, as challenging of a fact as that might be to accept. It’s where the Lions coaches, training staff, and teammates are all instrumental in ensuring No. 97 continues chugging along while knowing how ready he is to put this injury chapter behind him.

“Yesterday I was talking to him, I’m reading his body language, I know pretty well, and I think he was a little frustrated,” Franklin said. “But, that’s because he wants to be 100% yesterday. And, like I told him, he doesn’t need to be 100% yesterday. But, he’s trending in the right direction.

“Our trainers, doctors have done a fantastic job with him. The doctor that did his surgery in New York did a fantastic job. So, obviously, we’re excited about having him back. Not just as a player, but he’s a leader as well. He’s been phenomenal. We’re excited about it.”

Having Mustipher ready for the opener opposite the Boilermakers will be crucial for new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz’s defense. While it might be bad news to Mustipher that his recovery is taking time, it will be good news for all involved if trusting the process equals a healthy, and ready, sixth-year senior in the middle of the Penn State defense from the start this fall.