Ranking Penn State Football’s top 5 returning players in 2021: Defense

No. 1: Brandon Smith

Brandon Smith is the closest thing to Micah Parsons left on the roster for Penn State Football’s defense and 2021 could be the year he makes the leap to the caliber of player Parsons was at linebacker.

The sophomore started outside last year but speculation leads many to believe he will be moved inside next fall and won;t be taken off the field on third and long situations like he was at times in 2020.

He was twice named the coaching staff’s Defensive Player of the Week, as Smith seems to have a knack for wreaking havoc behind the line of scrimmage. The linebacker’s eight tackles for loss led the team, while he also racked up two sacks and an interception to go along with his 37 total tackles.

Smith just looks different out there, flying around with a a speed and tenacity not many can and as he learns to trust what he is seeing and not think, he will only get better. His sack on Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields comes to mind, when late in the game he came around on a blitz and blew up Fields in the pocket with a big hit.

Smith looks to be the next great product of ‘Linebacker U’ as Penn State Football likes to call itself, and could be one of the best backers in the country next season. HIs speed and athleticism as a perfect match for the modern game.

Don’t be surprised if we are hearing Brandon Smith’s name called early on in the 2022 NFL Draft.