Penn State Football: creating an All-James Franklin era defense

Second Team

Defensive Line

Shaka Toney (defensive end, 2017-2020)

In four years with the Nittany Lions, Shaka Toney made 111 total tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 20 sacks (which is fourth in school history), and four forced fumbles. He was a second team all-conference selection in 2019 and first team in 2020, but somehow slipped to the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft where he was selected by the (at the time) Washington Football Team.

Anthony Zettel (defensive end/tackle, 2011-2015)

Anthony Zettel is one of few to have played for Joe Paterno, Bill O’Brien, and James Franklin, and he began his career as a defensive end before moving to the interior as a redshirt senior. In his career, he had 119 total tackles, 38 tackles for loss, 20 sacks (fifth in school history), two forced fumbles, and a whopping four interceptions – which is amazing for a defensive lineman. His most notable was a pick-six against Ohio State in 2014. Zettel was a first team All-Big Ten selection in 2014 and third team in 2015, and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2016 draft.

Robert Windsor (defensive tackle, 2015-2019)

Statistically, Robert Windsor peaked as a redshirt junior in 2018 when he had career highs in both sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (10). However, he was also excellent as a senior in 2019 and was a third team All-Big Ten selection that year.

For his career, Windsor compiled 120 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and two forced fumbles, and he was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Arnold Ebiketie (defensive end, 2021)

Arnold “AK” Ebiketie only spent one season with the Nittany Lions after transferring over from Temple, but he certainly made the most of it. In 12 games, he racked up 18 tackles for loss (which led the Big Ten), as well as 9.5 sacks. He also had 62 total tackles and a pair of forced fumbles enroute to a fist team all-conference selection.

Penn State Football fans weren’t entirely sure what to expect out of AK, as he was making the jump from the AAC to the Big Ten, but he silenced any doubters right away with his week one performance at Wisconsin; and he never slowed down. Arnold Ebiketie went on to become a second-round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons.

Linebackers

Cam Brown (outside linebacker, 2016-2019)

Often overshadowed throughout his career by many others on this list, including in his senior season by Micah Parsons, Cam Brown was a very solid and steady linebacker for the Nittany Lions throughout his four-year career. He made 198 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and had 4.5 sacks, 11 pass deflections, and four forced fumbles. Brown was a third team all-conference selection in 2019 and became a sixth round NFL Draft pick by the New York Giants in 2020.

Brandon Bell (middle linebacker, 2013-2016)

Brandon Bell had a highly productive career in Happy Valley, racking up 226 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and four interceptions. His fourth and final interception was also the final play of his Penn State Football career. He picked off Sam Darnold in the 2017 Rose Bowl and was injured when he was tackled on the return. That injury unfortunately caused him to go undrafted, but nevertheless, he still had a fantastic career for the Nittany Lions.

Curtis Jacobs (outside linebacker, 2020-present)

This one is partly a projection, as Jacobs has only been a starter for one full season for the Nittany Lions, but it was a good one. Last year, Jacobs tallied 61 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, and an interception as Penn State’s strong side linebacker. With a move to weak side linebacker this season, the former blue-chip recruit is poised for a breakout season, and – outside of Micah Parsons of course – has a chance to be the program’s best linebacker since Michael Mauti a decade ago.

Secondary

Tariq Castro-Fields (cornerback, 2017-2021)

In his injury-riddled Penn State Football career, Tariq Castro-Fields only had three interceptions, but had 25 pass breakups, 139 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. His steady career led him to become a sixth-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2022 draft.

Marcus Allen (safety, 2014-2017)

Marcus Allen – who was a fan-favorite and remembered most for his blocked field goal against Ohio State – is fourth in Penn State Football history in career tackles with 320. He also had 17 tackles for loss (one of which was the memorable safety against Pitt) and five forced fumbles. Allen was a third team all-conference selection in 2016 and first team in 2017, and became a fifth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ji’Ayir Brown (safety, 2020-present)

So far, he’s only been a Nittany Lion for two years, but Ji’Ayir Brown hauled in six interceptions in 2021, which led the country. He has 79 total tackles, six pass deflections, and a forced fumble through two seasons, and was a third team All-Big Ten selection last season. Brown is poised for a big year in 2022, where he will be one of the best safeties in college football and will become a high draft pick next spring. A case could certainly be made for him to be a first teamer on this list, and if we revisit this at the completion of the 2022 season, he likely will be.

Christian Campbell (cornerback, 2014-2017)

Christian Campbell waited patiently for his entire career – including being a key backup for the 2016 Big Ten Championship squad – until he was finally able to crack the Nittany Lions’ starting lineup as a senior in 2017, and he had a great season that year. In 2017, he had a pair of interceptions, nine pass breakups, 45 total tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. That season allowed him to become a sixth-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2018 draft.