Penn State Football: Position Preview for linebackers

“Linebacker U” won’t go through much a change in 2019. Penn State football returns all but one major contributor to the corp.

One of the classic college defensive teams in Penn State football gets to showcase why it’s once again “Linebacker U” in 2019. It’s got youth, experience and most of all the on-field performance to dominate the Big Ten in Brent Pry’s 4-3 defense.

Beginning with the team’s starters, Penn State features essentially three returning starters on the defense, while losing just one player to graduation, Koa Farmer. At the middle linebacker spot Jan Johnson represents a throwback for the Nittany Lions. He worked his way up the depth chart after walking on the team.

In his first year of significant action, he finished second on the team in tackles (72) and recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, an interceptions and a pass deflection in 13 games. Johnson’s nose for the football helped him make the Big Ten Pro Football Focus Team after the Michigan game where he recorded 10 tackles (seven solo) He’ll anchor the middle and returns with 20 games of experience and 95 total tackles.

Moving to the outside backers, Micah Parsons and Cameron Brown man those two spots. Now, I know I said basically all three starters are back and by the numbers that’s true. Parsons led the team in tackles (82) and lived up to the unreal hype that was put on him before the season. However, he only actually started one game.

Despite sharing reps in year one, he led the way and was an athletic monster. He can rush the passer and track down backs for losses, show by his four tackles for loss. He can do it all and will only get better with another offseason of prep.

Last but certainly not least, is former four-star and current senior Cameron Brown. The lengthy assassin (6-foot-5, 223 pounds) finally got his chance to start last year after playing as a rotational player for two years. He made plays all across the field, including 63 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, seven passes defended and three forced fumbles.

Brown goes from a first-year starter to the team’s most valuable veteran in the unit. He’s the active leader in tackle with 126 total stops and career games with 40. He’s got all the tools for another fantastic year in this defense.

This unit isn’t just limited to three great starters. It’s got an up-and-coming star in freshman rotational player Ellis Brooks. He’ll likely play more snaps than an average fourth linebacker especially after corralling runners down to the tune of 30 tackles and an interception.

Third freshman Jesse Luketa shouldn’t be slept on either. He made seven tackles most of which came on special teams. He’ll make another great rotational linebacker for the Nittany Lions too.

Defense deserves it’s due in Happy Valley. Pry has established a consistent, top-level unit, and it’ll prove that again in 2019.