How Penn State Football can use recruiting to keep up with Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) scores a touchdown past Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Curtis Jacobs (23) during the third quarter of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.Penn State At Ohio State FootballSyndication The Columbus Dispatch /

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Joey Porter Jr. #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Defensive back

An improved pass rush will help, but you can’t count on it every play. You need talent capable of at least containing those Ohio State wide receivers.

Penn State has landed some quality corners in recent years, most notably Kalen King and Joey Porter Jr. These two are the probable starters for the Nittany Lions in 2022.

The Nittany Lions signed a 4-star corner in the 2022 cycle in Cam Miller and have a 3-star commit in 2023 in Lamont Payne.

Penn State has never really been able to land elite talent at corner over the years, but if they can continue to recruit athletic 4-stars, they’ll at least be competitive.

The Nittany Lions have had better success at safety. Jaquan Brisker was a second-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft and senior Ji’Ayir Brown looks destined for a big season in 2022.

Recruiting has been great at the position as well. Penn State landed three 4-star safeties in the 2022 cycle and has one 4-star committed so far in the 2023 class.

If King and Porter have big years, highly ranked corners may start to become intrigued by Penn State. That will certainly help the Nittany Lions in a big way.

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