Penn State Football: 10 storylines that will define Nittany Lions’ 2021 season

3. Brandon Smith Breakout Season

Brandon Smith was a five star prospect and Penn State Football’s top recruit in their 2019 recruiting class. Although Smith has played well in his first two seasons, look for him to finally reach that five star potential this season.

Smith landed at number 32 on this season’s college football “Freak List”, compiled by Bruce Feldman from The Athletic. Standing at six-foot-three, and 240 pounds, Smith is strong, fast, and very athletic. Coming out of high school, Smith said that his fastest hand-timed 40 yard dash was a blazing 4.38 seconds. Although the fact that is was hand-timed makes it a little bit inaccurate, there is no denying that Brandon Smith can flat out run.

Smith should also benefit schematically this season as well. Last season, he played strong side linebacker which allowed for offenses to take him out of the box, and essentially out of the play. This season, he moves to weak side linebacker, which should allow him to showcase his athleticism more.

Expect Smith to emulate some of what Micah Parsons was able to do…moving sideline to sideline, plugging running lanes quickly, and seemingly always being in on the play.