Penn State Football: Way too early defensive position group rankings

3. Defensive Line

The defensive line group is the unit on this defense with the most turnover from last season to next.

Gone are Shaka Toney, Antonio Shelton and Jayson Oweh and that will lend an opportunity to two incoming transfers as well as some younger players.

The defensive end spot was an area of need coming into the offseason as coach Franklin noted in his end of season press conference, and he went and addressed it in the form of former Temple star Arnold Ebiketie. His four sacks and eight and a half tackles for loss last season will be a welcomed arrival for Penn State Football after Oweh failed to register a sack in 2020.

Derrick Tangelo will replace Shelton on the interior of the defensive line and based off what he did at Duke should have no problem filling that void. Tangelo was a run stuffing defensive tackle in the ACC and at six-foot-two and 310 pounds should have no problem doing that for the Nittany Lions next fall.

The depth at defensive tackle is solid, as Hakeem Beamon should vie for a starting spot or at least play significant snaps on the interior. Look for D’Von Ellies and Fran Hansard to also play a large role in the defense next season.

The depth at defensive end is not as solid though, as Adisa Isaac should step into a starting role after seeing limited action last season. Smith Vilbert and Nick Tarburton will be the depth at end and have a combined zero sacks between them.