Penn State Football recruiting: Updated 2022 defensive big board

Last week, we looked at where things stood for Penn State Football recruiting on the offensive side of the ball when it comes to the 2022 recruiting cycle, this week it’s time to take check in on the defense.

Penn State only Football has one defensive commit in their 2022 recruiting class, so there’s a lot more work to be done on this side of the ball than on offense.

The Nittany Lions now has a new safeties coach in Anthony Poindexter, his recruiting prowess should aid Penn State in their pursuit for a top five class in 2022.

Let’s dig in …

Defensive End

Thanks to the addition of 4-star DE Davon Townley at the end of the 2021 cycle, there’s a little less pressure to knock it out of the park with defensive end recruiting in 2022.

Just a little less, though.

Defensive line coach John Scott Jr. has plenty of targets at defensive end, and he’ll need to hit on at least a couple of them.

Enai White, the 5-star out of Philadelphia, is obviously the big fish. It will be a challenge for Penn State to fight of the SEC and Clemson. Penn State will no doubt stay in it as long as possible, but don’t hold your breath here.

Even without White, Penn State can  end up with quite the haul at defensive end.

They are in the thick of it for a number of 4-stars including Dani Dennis-Sutton, Joe Strickland and Tyreese Fearbry. Other targets include Popeye Williams, Kenny Fletcher and Keon Wylie.

Penn State also recently offered 3-star Anto Saka out of Maryland.

Landing Dennis-Sutton and Strickland would be an ideal situation for Scott and the defensive line.