Penn State Football 2021: Keys to success on defense

Penn State Football key No. 2 – build chemistry

Two primary positions this Penn State Football team lacks for depth is defensive end and linebacker. There is talent at the two-deep at those positions, but not a lot of experience.

Head coach James Franklin and defensive coordinator Brent Pry need to find a way to get those second string players some reps early and often.

Ideally, in two games early in the season (Ball State and Villanova) Penn State Football can build a sizeable lead where the second and third team can gain experience that would be useful throughout the remainder of the season and beyond.

Along with getting young players experience, this staff needs to find what guys are needed and where. For example, will Jesse Luketa be needed more at linebacker or at defensive end? Same for Hakeem Beamon, will he play his listed position of defensive tackle, or will he need to move outside and play defensive end?

Being able to get more in-game reps for the backups would obviously benefit every position, but defensive end and linebacker are two of the major ones.