Penn State Football: 10 reasons Nittany Lions can win the Big Ten in 2021

Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Jahan Dotson (Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports)
Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Jahan Dotson (Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 10
Next
Penn State Football
Baylor Bears running back John Lovett (Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports) /

3. Five Impact Transfers 

Coming into this offseason kicker Jordan Stout was the most impactful transfer coach James Franklin had brought to Happy Valley.

This year, he went and acquired five players who were starters at their former schools. Running back John Lovett will bring a hard hat and lunch pale work ethic while being a bruising runner who rushed for over 1,800 yards in his career.

Temple defensive end Arnold Ebiketie will fill the role left by Shaka Toney and Jayson Oweh and should boost the Nittany Lions pass rush, as he recorded four sacks last season.

Cornerback Johnny Dixon started for the Gamecocks and finished third in the SEC last season allowing only a 35% complete percentage when passes were thrown in his direction.

Offensive guard Eric Wilson transfers from Harvard where he was a Second Team All-Ivy league selection with NFL aspirations who figures to compete for the starting right guard position.

Derrick Tangelo will fill the void left by Antonio Shelton as a run stuffing interior defensive linemen as Penn State seeks to improve on a rushing defense that allowed over 130 yards per game last season.