The safety position for Penn State in 2024 should be a strength. It is a veteran group with good athletic skills and football intelligence. Head coach James Franklin and new defensive coordinator Tom Allen will rely on this position group this season. As a preview of the 2024 safety position at Penn State, it will be all about taking the reins.
Penn State 2024 Safety Position Preview: Taking the Reins
Traditionally, the linebacker position captains a defense. For Penn State this year, the duties will be shared with the safeties. Given Allen’s affinity for linebackers (he is the linebacker coach in addition to defensive coordinator), that is high praise for the safeties. When the safety position is a strength, it supports the cornerbacks to solidify pass coverage. They also support run defense, which helps the defensive line. For Penn State in 2024, three safeties sit atop the depth chart, and they will get opportunities at the traditional safety positions of Free Safety and Strong Safety. Additionally, they will get to show their versatility in spots like Nickel.
Penn State’s Past Safety Standouts
While Penn State has historically been known as Linebacker U, there have been solid contributors at the safety position as well. Many have gone on to successful NFL careers. Some of the better-known alumni in the safety position include Darren Perry, Mark Robinson, and walk-on turned All-American Neal Smith.
More recently, players like Ji’Ayir Brown, Jaquan Brisker, and Nick Scott have represented the Nittany Lions well from the safety position. The tradition of strength from the safety spot is there, and that position of leadership on the Penn State defense should continue in 2024.
Performance of the Safeties in 2023
Penn State’s safeties were solid in 2023. Under former coordinator Manny Diaz, the safety position was an important part of the defense though the focus will intensify in 2024 under Allen. The top three safeties from last year all return. The best predictor for the future is past performance. If 2023 is any indication, the Penn State safeties should be just fine.
Jaylen Reed started all 13 games last season at safety. Across those starts, he made 46 tackles, with one sack, two interceptions, and a pass breakup. His efforts earned him an All-Big Ten honorable mention from both the coaches and media. He is a senior entering 2024.
Kevin Winston Jr. will be a junior this season. In 2023, he also started all 13 games at safety. Winston Jr. led the team in tackles with 60, to go along with two fumble recoveries, one interception, and five pass breakups. He also earned All-Big Ten honorable mention accolades from both the coaches and media.
In his redshirt sophomore season in 2023, Zakee Wheatley played in all 13 games. He racked up 24 tackles through the season. However, it was a bit of a down year after a strong 2022 campaign where he had 27 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble. Keaton Ellis also saw time at safety in 2023. A team captain as a senior in 2023, Ellis also appeared in all 13 games, with 17 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble. He signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. The Nittany Lions will need to replace both his production and leadership in 2024.
Taking the Reins in 2024
For Allen, the Penn State safety continuity is a luxury. He has called them as good as any group in the country. With offenses more pass-heavy, and the addition of potent offenses to the Big Ten this season, the safeties are critical. The Penn State safeties are big, athletic, and good tacklers. Additionally, they are familiar with each other, and their interchangeability should give Allen a lot to work with.
Allen has noted that Winston Jr. and Reed naturally run the defense. Their experience, and continuity on the field together, certainly help. Winston Jr. is a budding star. Following 2023, when he led the team in tackles, he was the focal point of the safety position. He should have every opportunity to shine in this defense and make a name for himself as he takes the reins.
Similarly, Reed will look to build on his solid 2023. Versatility is a big part of his game, and he prides himself on being more than a safety. He calls himself a defensive back and with the loss of three experienced cornerbacks, he should have ample opportunities to contribute in a variety of ways.
Wheatley will also see a lot of playing time, coming off a season where he appeared in each game. He should be able to contribute in the passing game, in the running game, and also in blitzing situations. After a 2023 season that did not measure up to his 2022, he should be motivated to reestablish himself in Allen’s defense.
With Ellis moving on to the NFL, the door is open for younger players to step up. Players to keep an eye on include redshirt freshman DaKaari Nelson and redshirt freshman Lamont Payne Jr. Nelson appeared in one game in 2023 and Payne Jr. appeared in three games.
The Bottom Line
As a preview of the 2024 Penn State safety position, the safeties will take the reins in 2024 and make an even bigger impact this year. The team will have the benefit of the top three safeties returning. This provides continuity and a veteran presence. Losing three cornerbacks from 2023’s team makes this even more important.
Winston, Jr. is a budding star after leading the team in tackles in 2023. Reed will look to contribute in a multitude of ways, given his versatility, his athleticism, and his high football IQ. He is also the elder statesman as a senior. Wheatley will look to build off of his 2023, and get back to his 2022 numbers (and improve on them).
Bringing it all together is new defensive coordinator Allen. He has been very complimentary of his safeties and has openly said that they will take a bigger role this year. Winston, Jr., and Reed are already seen as running the defense.
The ability to stay healthy is also of paramount importance for the safeties. If needed, younger players like Nelson and Payne Jr. will be relied on to step in and contribute.
The 2024 Penn State safeties should be a position of strength for the defense and the team overall. First, the new defense of Allen must properly integrate the versatility in the safety room. Additionally, Winston, Jr., Reed, and Wheatley must continue to grow. Next, the unit must stay healthy, and if or when there are injuries, the next player must step up. If those factors are satisfied, the Penn State defense should continue to be successful.
