{"id":60606,"date":"2024-06-23T09:00:27","date_gmt":"2024-06-23T13:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=60606"},"modified":"2024-06-23T05:36:17","modified_gmt":"2024-06-23T09:36:17","slug":"penn-state-2024-linebackers-season-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2024\/06\/23\/penn-state-2024-linebackers-season-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Penn State 2024 Linebackers: Season Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Penn State 2024 Linebackers: Is It Still Linebacker U?<\/h2>\n<p>Penn State, and its defense, has made a name for itself traditionally as \u201cLinebacker U.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The program has also developed many standouts at other positions. However, the linebackers will continue to hold an important place in the hearts of fans, in the playbook of Tom Allen, and in the success of the Nittany Lions. \u00a0The 2024 Penn State linebackers will look to uphold the name Linebacker U.<\/p>\n<h3>Tradition of Excellence<\/h3>\n<p>The term Linebacker U became a term synonymous with the Nittany Lions program in the 1990s with a long line of successful linebackers that drove the program and the defense.<\/p>\n<p>Penn State legends such as <strong>Greg Buttle<\/strong>, <strong>Jack Ham<\/strong>, and <strong>Lavar Arrington<\/strong> helped set the high standard for Nittany Lions linebackers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They all played before the 2000\u2019s began.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Since then, the line of success has continued.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Notably, leaders like <strong>Paul Posluszny<\/strong> and <strong>Micah Parsons<\/strong> have led the Penn State defense, and then gone on to success in the NFL.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;It&#39;s Linebacker U.&quot;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PennStateFball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@PennStateFball<\/a> legend <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LaVarArrington?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@LaVarArrington<\/a> knows what&#39;s up. \ud83d\ude24 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mKT0yqU8Yv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/mKT0yqU8Yv<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PennStateOnBTN\/status\/1517948164317216768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 23, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Interestingly, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2020\/06\/24\/micah-parsons-and-the-legacy-of-no-11-linebacker-u\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">No. 11<\/a> has become the key number on the Penn State defense, and in particular with the linebackers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Matt McGloin notwithstanding, the No. 11 has come with great responsibility on the defensive side of the ball at Penn State.<\/p>\n<h3>Importance of the LB Position in 2023<\/h3>\n<p>There was not much to complain about regarding the Penn State defense in 2023.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Under the tutelage of coordinator <strong>Manny Diaz<\/strong>, the unit led the nation in sacks.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They were also ranked first in yards allowed per game while ranking third in points per game.<\/p>\n<p>The defense also pitched three shutouts during the season.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>One was against Iowa, a 31 to zero statement win.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They also shut out UMass and Michigan State.<\/p>\n<p>In the games against tougher competition, the defense competed but had mixed results.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>As an example, against the Wolverines, the defense gave up 24 points.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>However, of more note\/concern, Michigan at one point called 32 consecutive run plays. \u00a0This calls the toughness of the defense, including the linebackers, into question.<\/p>\n<p>From a linebacker perspective, the leader of the group, and wearing No. 11 (no surprise) was <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/abdul-carter-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Abdul Carter<\/a><\/strong>.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In his second year, Carter had 56 tackles with four and a half sacks and an interception.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/kobe-king-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kobe King<\/strong><\/a>, a redshirt sophomore in 2023, contributed 59 tackles with one and a half sacks.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/curtis-jacobs-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Curtis Jacobs<\/strong><\/a> was the elder statesman of the group.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The junior had 50 tackles to go with two and a half sacks.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The group was solid, though not stellar. \u00a0It is debatable if the unit lived up to Linebacker U standards.<\/p>\n<p>Consequently, the biggest question for the linebackers heading into 2024 is the toughness that Penn State\u2019s defense has been historically known for.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Can they get the consistent toughness to slow down opponents\u2019 running games and apply pressure on the quarterback?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>If so, how?<\/p>\n<h3>Penn State 2024 Linebackers: New Coordinator, New Lineup<\/h3>\n<p>The Penn State coaching staff will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Tom Allen joins the Nittany Lions to guide the defense.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The former Indiana Hoosiers head coach comes to Happy Valley as the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2024\/06\/07\/tom-allen-penn-state-defense-expectations\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">new Defensive Coordinator<\/a>, replacing Diaz. Allen\u2019s official title is Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Allen&#8217;s focus will reinforce the importance of the linebackers.<\/p>\n<p>Along with the new coordinator, the Penn State defense will also look different on the field.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Jacobs has moved on and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. Carter is moving from linebacker to primarily defensive end.<\/p>\n<p>King will be a mainstay in the middle linebacker corps and a leader in the locker room.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/tyler-elsdon-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Tyler Elsdon<\/strong><\/a> will be there to provide depth.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/tony-rojas-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Tony Rojas<\/strong><\/a> is expected to contribute at weak side linebacker.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Rojas was a freshman standout on the 2023 team with 22 tackles, a forced fumble, and one interception.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>On the other side, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/dominic-deluca-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Dom Deluca<\/strong><\/a> is expected to step in.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The former walk-on has worked hard to make a name for himself.<\/p>\n<p>Obviously, with two new starters in the group (one a former walk-on), depth will be an issue to watch entering 2024.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Every injury will have a big impact, including the serious spring ball injury to backup Keon Wylie.<\/p>\n<h3>The Bottom Line: Keeping Penn State Linebacker U?<\/h3>\n<p>As Bill Parcells has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.azquotes.com\/quote\/224712?ref=linebackers\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">said<\/a>, \u201cI like linebackers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I collect \u2018em.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>You can\u2019t have too many good ones.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This rings true, especially at Penn State. \u00a0With a strong lineage of star linebackers, as well as recent strong performers at the position, the team has represented the Linebacker U moniker well.<\/p>\n<p>Entering 2024, there is a lot of uncertainty, and corresponding questions, with this unit.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Allen enters as the new Defensive Coordinator.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>King takes the reins as the leader of the group.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Rojas and Deluca get their chances.<\/p>\n<p>As a standard, Linebacker U comes with an expected pedigree, which this linebacker unit does not have.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The linebackers\u2019 ultimate success, as well as that of the overall defense and team, rests on the ability to pick up Allen\u2019s system quickly, the newcomers fulfilling their potential, and the ability to stay healthy. \u00a0A key question to be answered by the 2024 Penn State linebackers is, can it live up to the expectations of Linebacker U?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_60616\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-60616\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-60616\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/USATSI_21701216_168400536_lowres-300x208.jpg\" alt=\"Penn State 2024 Linebackers\" width=\"300\" height=\"208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/USATSI_21701216_168400536_lowres-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/USATSI_21701216_168400536_lowres-1024x710.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/USATSI_21701216_168400536_lowres-768x532.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/USATSI_21701216_168400536_lowres-1536x1065.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/USATSI_21701216_168400536_lowres.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-60616\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo courtesy:\u00a0 Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Penn State 2024 Linebackers: Is It Still Linebacker U? Penn State, and its defense, has made a name for itself traditionally as \u201cLinebacker U.\u201d\u00a0 The program has also developed many standouts at other positions. However, the linebackers will continue to hold an important place in the hearts of fans, in the playbook of Tom Allen, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5172,"featured_media":60616,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,5],"tags":[7983,6609,6610,4428,4223,395,3187,33653,309],"class_list":["post-60606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-bigten","tag-big-ten-football","tag-greg-buttle","tag-jack-ham","tag-lavar-arrington","tag-linebacker-u","tag-manny-diaz","tag-micah-parsons","tag-paul-posluszny","tag-penn-state-nittany-lions"],"modified_by":"Tony Siracusa, CFB Managing Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60606","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5172"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60606"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60606\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60606"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60606"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60606"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}