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Five Key Returners on Defense for Penn State Football in 2022

By Nick Kreiser

MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 04: PJ Mustipher #97 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts to a defensive stop during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 04, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 04: PJ Mustipher #97 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts to a defensive stop during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 04, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Penn State Football
Ji’Ayir Brown #16 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Penn State Football safety – Ji’Ayir Brown

Ji’Ayir Brown led the Big Ten in interceptions in 2021, and he is back for Penn State Football in 2022, which is a big time plus for the Nittany Lions’ secondary, especially with Jaquan Brisker off to the NFL.

Brown has played a ton of football so far in his career, so his experience will be as important as anything as he will have a lot of inexperienced guys around him at safety. He will almost certainly be accompanied in the starting lineup by either Keaton Ellis or Jaylen Reed, neither of which have a ton of experience at that position.

His range, recognition, and ball skills, that he displayed in his first of two interceptions in the Outback Bowl can lead to another season filled with takeaways for the senior safety.

Brown will also need to take a step forward in run support with the departure of Brisker, who was great in that aspect.

Ji’Ayir Brown will play a big part on the back end of the 2022 Penn State Football defense, especially against some of the better passing offenses on the schedule.

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