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

First Team Defensive Backs

Amani Oruwariye (cornerback, 2015-2018)

By the end of his career, an Amani Oruwariye interception in the season-opener was the easiest bet in college football. He had a pick-six in week one in 2016 against Kent State, another interception in week one of the 2017 season against Akron, and his most memorable interception, a walk-off interception in overtime against App State in the first game of the 2018 season.

He finished his career with eight interceptions, 20 pass breakups, 106 total tackles, and a forced fumble. Oruwariye was a second team All-Big Ten selection in 2017 and a first teamer as a senior in 2018. He went on to become a fifth round NFL Draft pick by the Detroit Lions.

Adrian Amos (safety, 2011-2014)

The final player of this list that played for Joe Paterno, Bill O’Brien, and James Franklin, is one of the best safeties of the Franklin era: Adrian Amos. Amos recorded 148 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, seven interceptions, and 15 pass deflections throughout his four-year career in Happy Valley.

While he somehow was never an all-conference selection, Adrian Amos was a great defensive back and was a key part of Penn State’s secondary for numerous years. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.

Jaquan Brisker (safety, 2019-2021)

The best safety of the James Franklin era, and arguably the best in school history, who is just a few months removed from being a second-round draft pick – also by the Chicago Bears – is Jaquan Brisker. Brisker arrived in State College from Lackawanna Community College in 2019, and since then racked up an impressive 151 tackles (10 tackles for loss) in three short years. He also had five interceptions and 14 pass deflections.

Brisker was a third team All-Big Ten selection in 2020. In 2021, he was a first team all-conference selection and a second team All-American. Jaquan Brisker’s excellent versatility makes him not only one of the best defensive backs of the James Franklin era, but one of the best overall players as well.

Grant Haley (cornerback, 2014-2017)

While he is most remembered for a special teams play – his return of Marcus Allen’s blocked field goal to help upset Ohio State in 2016 – Grant Haley had a good career as a cornerback for Penn State Football. In his four-year career, he had five interceptions (one of which was a pick-six), as well as 22 pass breakups, 139 total tackles, and a forced fumble.

He was never an all-conference selection and he went undrafted, but nevertheless, Grant Haley is one of the best cornerbacks of the James Franklin era.