Breaking down the Penn State depth chart for the Michigan game

After a week off, Penn State faces Michigan in the annual White Out game Saturday night at Beaver Stadium

Penn State has a huge home match-up Saturday night at Beaver Stadium as they welcome the Michigan Wolverines. Let’s take a look at the depth chart for the game and point out any changes after the bye week.

The most significant changes are along the offensive line, but the depth chart is now just updated to reflect the Lions roster against Northwestern. At right tackle, Will Fries gets the start with Chasz Wright as the primary backup. Wright has the “OR” designation with Andrew Nelson, but Fries and Wright will be the main rotation. Nelson seems to be slower after recovering from his injuries. Fries and Wright are more dependable right now.

Also along the offensive line, Alex Gellerstedt moves from the third spot at right tackle to the third spot at left tackle. Sterling Jenkins is now off the three deep.

The only change on defense is Robert Windsor has the “OR” designation next to Tyrell Chavis. Probably just means they’ll both get reps on the defensive line rotation as Brent Pry likes to keep the line fresh. Also of note, all the linebackers appear healthy this year so there should not be a repeat of last season’s Michigan game where Penn State had their 7th and 8th linebackers starting.

No changes on the special teams. With Tyler Davis struggling to kick field goals, there might have been an opportunity for Alex Barbir but maybe the coaching staff does not feel he is ready for a big game. Better to roll with the experience and hope Davis snaps out of his funk.

Here is the depth chart in full.

OFFENSE

Quarterback
9 Trace McSorley (6-0, 195, Sr./Jr.)
2 Tommy Stevens (6-5, 228, Jr./So.)
14 Sean Clifford (6-2, 210, Fr./Fr.)

Running Back
26 Saquon Barkley (5-11, 230, Jr./Jr.)
6 Andre Robinson (5-9, 223, Fr./So.) OR
4 Miles Sanders (5-11, 215, So./So.) OR
8 Mark Allen (5-6, 180, Sr./Jr.)

Wide Receiver (X)
84 Juwan Johnson (6-4, 226, Jr./So.)
11 Irvin Charles (6-4, 217, Jr./So.)
87 Dae’Lun Darien (6-4, 210, So./Fr.)

Wide Receiver (H)
5 DaeSean Hamilton (6-1, 206, Gr./Sr.)
10 Brandon Polk (5-9, 175, Jr./So.)
1 KJ Hamler (5-9, 172, Fr./Fr.)

Wide Receiver (Z)
3 DeAndre Thompkins (5-11, 187, Sr./Jr.)
13 Saeed Blacknall (6-3, 217, Sr./Sr.)
12 Mac Hippenhammer (5-11, 178, Fr./Fr.)

Tight End
88 Mike Gesicki (6-6, 250, Sr./Sr.)
18 Jonathan Holland (6-4, 248, Jr./So.)
89 Tom Pancoast (6-3, 242, 5th/Sr.)

Left Tackle
52 Ryan Bates (6-4, 312, Jr./So.)
71 Will Fries (6-6, 305, So./Fr.)
51 Alex Gellerstedt (6-6, 304, So./Fr.)

Left Guard
74 Steven Gonzalez (6-4, 341, Jr./So.)
73 Mike Miranda (6-3, 303, Fr./Fr.)
61 C.J. Thorpe (6-3, 329, Fr./Fr.)

Center
66 Connor McGovern (6-5, 312, So./So.)
64 Zach Simpson (6-3, 301, Jr./So.)
73 Mike Miranda (6-3, 303, Fr./Fr.)

Right Guard
70 Brendan Mahon (6-4, 318, 5th/Sr.)
62 Michal Menet (6-4, 301, So./Fr.)
79 Charlie Shuman (6-8, 316, Sr./Jr.)

Right Tackle
71 Will Fries (6-6, 305, So./Fr.)
77 Chasz Wright (6-7, 358, Sr./Jr.) OR
59 Andrew Nelson (6-6, 305, Gr./Sr.)

DEFENSE

Defensive End
48/19 Shareef Miller (6-5, 257, Jr./So.)
34 Shane Simmons (6-3, 250, So./Fr.) OR
46 Colin Castagna (6-4, 257, Jr./Jr.)

Defensive Tackle
52 Curtis Cothran (6-5, 301, Gr./Sr.)
30 Kevin Givens (6-1, 287, Jr./So.)
42 Ellison Jordan (6-0, 293, So./Fr.) OR
55 Antonio Shelton (6-2, 302, So./Fr.)

Defensive Tackle
41 Parker Cothren (6-4, 304, Gr./Sr.)
54 Robert Windsor (6-4, 303, Jr./So.) OR
56 Tyrell Chavis (6-3, 308, Sr./Sr.)

Defensive End
97 Ryan Buchholz (6-6, 275, Jr./So.)
18 Shaka Toney (6-3, 233, So./Fr.)
99 Yetur Gross-Matos (6-5, 248, Fr./Fr.)

Will Linebacker
43 Manny Bowen (6-1, 226, Jr./Jr.)
6 Cam Brown (6-5, 227, So./So.)

Middle Linebacker 
40 Jason Cabinda (6-1, 234, Sr./Sr.)
47 Brandon Smith (6-0, 231, Gr./Sr.)

Sam Linebacker
7 Koa Farmer (6-1, 237, Sr./Jr.)
9 Jarvis Miller (6-2, 222, Jr./So.)

Boundary Cornerback
1 Christian Campbell (6-1, 194, Sr./Sr.)
5 Tariq Castro-Fields (6-0, 185, Fr./Fr.)
38 Lamont Wade (5-9, 196, Fr./Fr.)

Free Safety
2 Marcus Allen (6-2, 207, Sr./Sr.)
4 Nick Scott (5-11, 199, Sr./Jr.)

Strong Safety
28 Troy Apke (6-1, 198, Sr./Sr.)
23 Ayron Monroe (5-11, 207, Jr./So.)
17 Garrett Taylor (6-0, 197, Jr./So.)

Field Cornerback
15 Grant Haley (5-9, 190, Sr./Sr.)
21 Amani Oruwariye (6-1, 209, Sr./Jr.)
14 Zech McPhearson (5-11, 182, So./Fr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter
93 Blake Gillikin (6-2, 195, So./So.)
92 Daniel Pasquariello (6-1, 201, Sr./Sr.)
97 Carson Landis (6-2, 198, Fr./Fr.)

Kicker
95 Tyler Davis (5-11, 183, 5th/Sr.)
90 Alex Barbir (5-9, 193, So./Fr.)
97 Carson Landis (6-2, 198, Fr./Fr.)

Holder
16 Billy Fessler (5-11, 181, Sr./Jr.)
92 Daniel Pasquariello (6-1, 201, Sr./Sr.)
93 Blake Gillikin (6-2, 195, So./So.)

Long Snapper
96 Kyle Vasey (6-2, 234, Sr./Jr.)
36 Jan Johnson (6-2, 234, Jr./So.)
94 Joe Calcagno (6-0, 253, Fr./Fr.)

Kickoff Returners
26 Saquon Barkley (5-11, 230, Jr./Jr.)
24 Miles Sanders (5-11, 215, So./So.)
10 Brandon Polk (5-9, 175, Jr./So.)

Punt Returners
3 DeAndre Thompkins (5-11, 187, Sr./Jr.)
8 Mark Allen (5-6, 180, Sr./Jr.)
28 Troy Apke (6-1, 198, Sr./Sr.)

Next: Penn State Football: Michigan preview

Coaching Staff
James Franklin – Head Coach
Brent Pry – Associate HC/DC/LB
Joe Moorhead – OC/QB
Charles Huff – STC/RB
Terry Smith – Assistant HC/CB
Tim Banks – Co-DC/S (Booth)
Josh Gattis – Assistant STC/WR
Matt Limegrover – OL
Ricky Rahne – TE (Booth)
Sean Spencer – DL