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5 Breakout stars for Penn State Football in 2022

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Sep 4, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Curtis Jacobs (23) celebrates following the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Curtis Jacobs (23) celebrates following the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Penn State Football roster will look a lot different in 2022 and if they are going to compete in the Big Ten they will need a few guys to really step up and be breakout stars next season 

With the offseason officially here in the wake of Monday night’s national championship game, it is time to turn our focus to Penn State Football’s 2022 season.

Many fans, and rightfully so, are focused on the comings and goings of the transfer portal as it seems everyday another big name enters. Penn State Football has lost guys like Noah Cain, Ta’Quan Roberson, and Enzo Jennings to the portal but has also acquired wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley from Western Kentucky.

However, the Nittany Lions not only have a ton of talent returning for next season, but they are also going to receive an infusion of talent with the sixth-ranked recruiting class making their way to State College. It was a major win for Penn State Football to get safety Ji’Ayir Brown and PJ Mustipher back for another season.

They did see a lot of talent off to the NFL, and with that, will need some young players to step up and some players who played this past season to really become household names.

Let’s take a look at 5 potential breakout stars for Penn State Football: 

Curtis Jacobs- Linebacker 

Curtis Jacobs saw his first action as a starter in 2021 at the SAM position and after a slow start, he really came into his own in the second half of the season.

Jacobs posted 52 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception last season playing that outside linebacker position but he will see a position move inside the box to the MIKE or WILL where Ellis Brooks and Brandon Smith played this year.

Listed at six-foot-one and 230 pounds Jacobs is extremely athletic but is a bit undersized compared to your prototypical Big Ten inside linebacker so that will be an obstacle he may have to overcome this offseason going into 2022 but his speed and athleticism will help counteract anything he lacks in size.

Jacobs got the start at inside backer in the Outback Bowl against Arkansas and shined, posting 10 tackles and a sack in the Nittany Lions undermanned defense.

He has a lot of Micah Parsons‘ qualities to his frame and his game, not to say he will be as good as the now All-Pro NFL linebacker, but he will remind fans of Parsons this coming season.

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