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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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Ji'Ayir Brown, Penn State Football
Ji’Ayir Brown #16 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Ji’Ayir Brown – Safety 

Brown was already a star in Penn State Football’s defense this season playing alongside safety Jaquan Brisker who figures to be an early round pick in April’s NFL Draft, but 2022 could be a year Brown becomes a name to know on the national stage.

He finished the season with 72 tackles, one tackle for loss, four interceptions and nine pass breakups. Two of those interceptions came in crucial junctures of games, including the interception that iced the game against Wisconsin in week one and a pick six at Maryland that iced that one for the Nittany Lions as well.

The senior will be the captain of the secondary in 2022 and if he can improve on his play within the box and against the run, leading to a sack or a few more tackles behind the line of scrimmage, a la Jaquan Brisker, he himself could see his name called early on in the 2023 NFL Draft.

His decision to come back for a final year was a huge win for defensive coordinator Manny Diaz and this defense moving forward.

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