Penn State Football: projecting the depth chart for the defense in 2022

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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 /

Penn State Football linebackers

With Ellis Brooks and Brandon Smith off to the NFL, Curtis Jacobs will move over from the strong side to the weak side, but who will be the other two starters on the second level?

Jonathan Sutherland – a converted safety – seems to be the favorite to take over on the strong side, leaving just the middle linebacker position open, in what is one of the most important position battles still up for grabs following spring practice.

This competition between Kobe King and Tyler Elsdon is truly a coin toss at the moment. King did not play in the Outback Bowl to preserve his redshirt, but Elsdon saw quite a bit of action in that game. However, would he have seen as much, had King played that day?

Elsdon did not participate in the spring scrimmage (but he did suit up), so he was likely dealing with a minor injury. If he was not 100% for a large portion of the spring, could those missed reps potentially give King the upper hand?

Whoever loses that competition will obviously be a backup, along with redshirt senior Charlie Katshir.

Redshirt freshman Jamari Buddin could factor in as a role player too, mostly out of necessity from a lack of depth on the second level.

Projected Depth Chart

Weak Side Linebacker

1. Curtis Jacobs

2. Charlie Katshir

Middle Linebacker

1. Kobe King

2. Tyler Elsdon

Strong Side Linebacker

1. Jonathan Sutherland

2. Jamari Buddin

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