Five Key Returners on Defense for Penn State Football in 2022

Penn State Football defensive end – Nick Tarburton

The Nittany Lions lost a great pair of edge rushers from 2021 in Arnold Ebiketie and Jesse Luketa. So, Nick Tarburton and Adisa Isaac are their two most experienced defensive ends, though Isaac missed all of last season with an injury.

The team also welcomes one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 class, Dani Dennis-Sutton, who has the potential to make an impact from day one.

In all likelihood, Tarburton will find himself back in the starting lineup again this season, or at the very least being one of the primary names in the rotation at defensive end. He was not overwhelmingly productive in 2021, recording just 29 tackles and one sack on the season.

The redshirt senior does not have to be a game-wrecker on the edge like Ebiketie was, but he is going to have to take his game to the next level and do the little things right.

An edge rusher is one of the most important positions in the modern, pass-heavy era of football, but unfortunately, it is a position that is a huge question mark for Penn State Football in 2022. As a returning starter, Tarburton will be relied upon to provide some strength and stability to the position next season.