Penn State Football: How high can Koa Farmer’s career climb?
Safety-turned-linebacker Koa Farmer has a real opportunity in 2018. The athletic Penn State football defender has a chance to become the next great PSU LB.
Once a three-star safety according to 247Sports with 13 Div. I offers, Penn State football’s Koa Farmer has become the new age representation of Linebacker U. Fast, agile, hard-hitting and athletic, he has taken his place in the starting lineup, piling up career-high numbers in 2017. Farmer recorded 48 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and a defensive touchdown. All these numbers came at outside linebacker, but he can play multiple positions.
With so many different players departing the program, could he become the hybrid player the defense needs to succeed. In his recent spring practice comments, Farmer said he wants to understand all positions. One, his comments represent leadership as a senior defender. Two, he can fill in at every spot if a player goes down.
In addition to his mental versatility, he prepped himself physically for the rigors of either linebacker or safety. He maintained his safety speed but added muscle to play linebacker.
At 236 pounds, he fits in anywhere including rushing the passer in certain situations. Through two years of playing time, he has compiled 76 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks.
As a safety, he could take on the thumper role if he had to fill in. Losing both safeties this offseason, the Nittany Lions have the ability to replace both. Regardless, he’s not slouch at his secondary spot.
The position he’s most familiar with is linebacker. He started last year at that spot and played well, coming up with big plays across the defense. Also, he’s the only returner in the linebacking corp making him invaluable to the Nittany Lions.
Lastly, he could make an impact as a pass rusher. Three of his sacks came in 2016 when he made the transition from safety to linebacker. Penn State football used him almost like a pass rushing specialist because of his speed and slender build helped him dart past hulking lineman into the backfield.
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In his final year this Swiss Army Knife-type player could be exactly what Penn State needs after losing two of its starters at linebacker.