Penn State Football: four bold predictions for the defense in 2022

Bold prediction #2 – Penn State Football has at first team All-Big Ten selection at every level of the defense

The Penn State defense will once again be loaded with stars all over the field on the defensive side of the ball, and they have numerous players who are among the best at their position in the Big Ten.

You could make a case for PJ Mustipher, Curtis Jacobs, Ji’Ayir Brown, and Joey Porter Jr. to be among the two or three best in the conference at their respective positions–or perhaps even the best.

Last year, the Nittany Lions had a first teamer on two of the three levels of the defense: Arnold Ebiketie along the defensive line and Jaquan Brisker in the secondary. At linebacker, Ellis Brooks and Brandon Smith were second and third team coaches’ selections respectively.

This year, I’m predicting a first teamer at all three levels: defensive line, linebacker, and secondary.

Along the defensive line, Mustipher is the most likely candidate as he was a second team selection last year despite missing more than half of the season.

If Hakeem Beamon lives up to the hype that he’s created for himself, he could also make a run at a first team selection, as well as Adisa Isaac and Chop Robinson on the edge.

On the second level, Curtis Jacobs is the obvious frontrunner among Penn State’s linebackers to be a first team All-Big Ten selection.

Finally in the secondary, Ji’Ayir Brown–who was a third team selection in 2021–is more than capable of being awarded a first team selection, as well as Joey Porter Jr. at cornerback. If at least one of those two gets it, they would complete the back end of this prediction.