Penn State Football: Grades Nittany Lions in win vs. Rutgers
By Dylan Burd
Linebackers
Despite also allowing over four yards per carry to Rutgers, the linebackers did a much better job of generating pressure on the quarterback than the defensive line did. They combined for two of Penn State’s three sacks. Additionally, the linebackers had two and a half of the Nittany Lions’ six tackles for loss.
Micah Parsons led Penn State with ten tackles, including a sack. Cam Brown had seven tackles, a sack, and a tackle and a half for loss total. Ellis Brooks had five tackles, while Charlie Katshir and Jan Johnson had three tackles.
The linebackers have been one of Penn State’s strongest positional units all season, and is well on its way back to being called “Linebacker U.” Cam Brown and Jan Johnson will be graduating following the bowl game, but Micah Parsons, Ellis Brooks, and Jesse Luketa will make for another dominant group next season. Brandon Smith and Lance Dixon, two former five-star recruits, will also be major contributors at linebacker as they will play a much bigger role.
This game vs. Rutgers wasn’t this group’s best, but they still managed to make some impact plays.