5 Options for Penn State Football to replace Lamont Wade including from transfer portal

Jonathan Sutherland

Jonathan Sutherland is a fan favorite and was voted a special teams captain this past fall. Sutherland as well was voted to be the first player to wear number zero in program history; a new tradition for players who are “tough, dependable, disciplined, physical leader who inspires teammates with his accountability and production.”

Sutherland appeared in seven games this season, recording 14 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, half a sack and two pass breakups. He is more of an in the box safety and is a strong tackler, but the Penn State defense needs a safety who is good in space in coverage, and that is not Sutherland’s game.

He is a solid rotational safety and a terrific special teams player and leader, but may struggle if given starting reps at safety. A full offseason could do him wonders, but as a redshirt junior Sutherland probably is who he is as a player at this point.