Penn State Football 2018: Three Nittany Lions to Watch Against Michigan State

DT – CJ Thorpe

For how well CJ Thorpe projects to be on the offensive line, he might be even more valuable on the defensive line.  At least that’s what coach Franklin and company believe.

Two weeks ago the coaching staff decided to switch Thorpe from the offensive line to the defensive line in order to better support the lack of depth at the defensive tackle position.  He progressed so much that he was moved ahead of players like true freshman PJ Mustipher.  With the ejection of Antonio Shelton in the second half of the Ohio State game, Thorpe was pressed into action, and he really didn’t disappoint.

Thorpe was credited with a single tackle on the evening.  Still, it’s quite impressive that a player that was on the offensive line just a week prior, now was not only playing on the defensive line, but also actually contributing in a meaningful way.

When asked  about Thorpe making the transition from offense to defense, Franklin had this to say: “We talked to C.J. [Thorpe] this summer about it. It was a discussion…he is a big, strong aggressive, powerful, violent kid with a motor.”

At 323-pounds, the Glenshaw, PA native does seem to possess the requisite size to be an effective run-stopper, and be part of a solid defensive line rotation for the remainder of the year.

Coach Franklin mentioned some of the nuances that differentiate the offensive line player from the defensive line player, and he hopes that Thorpe’s maturation as a defensive line player can be fast-tracked.  If it can, he, along with starters Kevin Givens and Robert Windsor, could very well provide the size to limit many of the opponents run plays up the middle.

This weekend, look for Thorpe to make an even more substantial defensive contribution.  I expect you’ll see his number of snaps increase this week over his Ohio State reps.