Penn State Football Recruiting: 2022 By the Numbers

Defensive End: 2-3

After a couple years of struggling with defensive end recruiting, Penn State got back on track by picking up Rodney McGraw and Davon Townley in 2021. This is a good start, but the Nittany Lions still need to fill depth at the position. Expect them to definitely take two, with a very good chance they take three depending on who’s out there.

Defensive Tackle: 1

The Nittany Lions didn’t take a defensive tackle in the 2021 class, but they may only take one in 2022. The depth on the current roster is good, despite the fact that PJ Mustipher and Derrick Tangelo will move on after 2021. With the idea of transfers in mind, this number was originally two, but the Nittany Lions may opt to load up on tackles in 2023, when they won’t need two quarterbacks or running backs.

Linebacker: 2-3

Penn State has a 4-star linebacker on board in Ken Talley. They would like to match him up with at least one other athletic outside linebacker in this cycle. Penn State’s depth at the outside linebacker spot took a hit when Lance Dixon transferred and Zuriah Fisher moved to defensive end. Depending on how things go, there’s a chance the Nittany Lions could need three linebackers in this class.

Defensive Backs: 4

Penn State took four defensive backs in 2021 and added sophomore Johnny Dixon via the transfer portal. This should be two safeties, two corner backs in 2022. There’s a chance one of those safety spots is already filled if Flowers is a safety at the next level. Considering Dixon still has multiple years of eligibility left, it’s possible the staff opts for only one corner back if numbers get tight.

Transfer Spots: 2-4

On the high end, Penn State could take 23 high school recruits in the 2022 cycle. If they do take one less at a few spots, that number drops to 21, possibly 20. That leaves them with two to four scholarships to use on the transfer portal. They do need help at outside linebacker, so it is possible that they take two recruits and a transfer to fill the three spots. They could also decide to do the same at defensive end.

How things shape up during the 2021 season will play a role on if Penn State needs to prioritize the transfer portal over recruits. The more guys the staff gets the sense will return in 2022, the less likely they are to keep too many spots aside for transfers. It is wise to not fill up all 25 spots on recruits though, in case an issue would occur.

There are ways to get around the 25 scholarship a cycle hard cap. Penn State did so with their 2020 recruiting class, as they took 27 that year. It often depends on how many players depart the program from the year before.