Penn State Football: 5 Players that must break out in 2021

Coming off of a disappointing 4-5 campaign in 2020, Penn State Football needs a few young Nittany Lions to step up if they are going to contend next fall 

Going into last season, Penn State Football looked poised to have potentially it’s best team in the James Franklin era, led by a returning quarterback and superstar in the middle of their defense.

In the midst of a crazy, uncertain offseason due to the Covid-19 pandemic, star linebacker Micah Parsons opted out of the season, running back Journey Brown was found to have a heart condition and returning quarterback Sean Clifford did not live up to the expectations heading into year two.

All of this played a role in the Nittany Lions‘ 4-5 season, one that started 0-5 for the first time in program history.

However, the opt outs and injuries do not tell the whole story, as a number of players that the staff and fans thought would take that leap from reserve to solid starter, or solid starter to superstardom, failed to do so.

Lamont Wade, Jayson Oweh, Clifford, and Ellis Brooks were a few that were good, but not great, and Penn State Football needed them to be great if they were going to challenge the Buckeyes in the Big Ten.

As the roster takes shape heading into spring practice, there are a few players on the 2021 version of the Nittany Lions who need to break out if Franklin’s squad is going to turn it around next fall and get back to winning double digit games.

Here are five players who must take a big leap in 2021:

Adisa Isaac 

Even after adding former Temple defensive end Arnold Ebiketie through the transfer portal, Penn State Football is thin at the defensive end position after losing Shaka Toney and Jayson Oweh to the NFL.

Isaac is a former four-star recruit who has appeared in 20 games through his first two seasons on campus, however, has mostly just played situationally on passing downs. For his career, Isaac has recorded 27 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble.

The Brooklyn native figures to start next season and will need to make the jump from situational pass rusher to an every down player, playing the run well while also getting after the quarterback.

If Isaac can become the next dominant edge rusher in Brent Pry’s defense, the Nittany Lions will make major strides on that side of the ball. Last season Jayson Oweh failed to record a sack and even though he made a lot of plays against the run, his lack of production in terms of getting quarterbacks on the ground hindered their defense.

Isaac tops the charts in terms of players who must take that next step in 2021. If he does, and Ebiketie matches his production he brings from Temple, this could be the dominant defensive line Penn State Football needs to compete with the best in college football.