The Penn State defense, one of the nation’s best, statistically, in 2023, should be even deeper this season.
How will it perform with new key performers and position alignments under first-year coordinator Tom Allen?
It features arguably the highest-end, most compelling competitions on the team — one that will, ultimately, direct just how this defense leads the Nittany Lions toward their first College Football Playoff bid.
Here are the three position battles to monitor closely as the Lions start preseason practice today and prepare for their opener on Aug. 31 at West Virginia.
Penn State football cornerbacks: Cam Miller or A.J Harris; Jalen Kimber or Audavion Collins
This may be coach Terry Smith’s deepest room, despite losing three “starters” to the NFL Draft. This young group owns the potential to be even better, and with more varied options, than the 2023 trio of Kalen King, Johnny Dixon and Daequan Hardy.
This starts with the two SEC transfers, sophomore A.J. Harris and senior Jalen Kimber. While Harris (former Georgia Bulldog) has received more buzz for his potential and spring practice effort, Kimber (former Florida Gator) is the most experienced on the team. He started 12 games last year at Florida and served as a top backup in every game the year before. Can he elevate, immediately, as a starter here — either with Harris or in place of him?
Both are joined by junior Cam Miller, who was a key backup last season (24 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, interception).
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Audavion Collins, yet another SEC transfer (Mississippi State), is an intriguing wildcard. The sophomore played little last season but has made significant recent progress, according to his PSU coaches. Could he handle slot-coverage duties like Hardy last season or even more?
“AC had the best spring of anybody,” Smith said in June. “Now, in the offseason and he’s got to take another step. And in the fall, another step.”
Even more: These four corners will be pushed by even younger talent, including Zion Tracy, Elliott Washington and Jon Mitchell.
Offensive tackle: Drew Shelton or J’ven Williams; Anthony Donkoh or Nolan Rucci
Penn State must replace two sterling offensive tackles.
While junior Drew Shelton is the most experienced returner, which includes his second-half starting run in 2022, he will be pushed to nail down the left tackle spot now. J’ven Williams is a five-star talent who learned last season under NFL first-round pick Olu Fashanu and got starter reps in the spring.
On the right side, Anthony Donkoh is a promising option after turning in a strong rookie effort in the Peach Bowl. He’ll battle Rucci, another 5-star Pennsylvania recruiting talent, who’s reportedly transitioning well since transferring from Wisconsin last winter.
A key alternate option, on either side, is senior JB Nelson, who made eight starts last season. He can fill in admirably at tackle or guard.
Receiver: Kaden Saunders, Omari Evans, Liam Clifford and Tyseer Denmark
At least the top two starters seem set.
Ohio State transfer Julian Fleming and junior Tre Wallace are the top receiver targets, as long as they put past injury issues aside. But Andy Kotelnicki’s new offense will at least have two more steady contributors from a room that offered little consistency last season.
Backup options have been hailed recently by the staff — Liam Clifford for his work ethic and leadership; Kaden Saunders and Omari Evans for their speed and development. Tyseer Denmark, meanwhile, fronts an intriguing true freshman group that should have more opportunities than usual (Peter Gonzalez and Joshia Brown are the others).
The Lions’ No. 3 receiver could be one of the most important figures on the team. Penn State’s stagnant downfield pass game depends upon it.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Analyzing top position battles for Penn State football in 2024 Big Ten
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