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Penn State Football: takeaways from Monday’s depth chart announcements

By Nick Kreiser

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: Todd Summers #86 of the Villanova Wildcats carries the ball against Tyler Elsdon #43 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 25, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: Todd Summers #86 of the Villanova Wildcats carries the ball against Tyler Elsdon #43 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 25, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Demeioun Robinson, Penn State Football
Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Connor Blumrick (4) throws a pass as Maryland Terrapins linebacker Demeioun Robinson (Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports) /

Defensive end competition

When we projected the depth chart for the defense, we said that Nick Tarburton and Adisa Isaac will likely start at defensive end, and that Chop Robinson would likely be a backup that could push for a starting spot.

It seems like we may have hit the nail on the head with that one.

Similar to Hunter Nourzad at guard, Robinson will play “starter reps”, but may not start immediately.

Essentially, he will get a near equal number of reps as Tarburton and Isaac, he just won’t be one of the first two to take the field at Purdue.

This is great news because it means that at this point, the staff is comfortable with three different guys starting at defensive end, which not only provides depth and keeps guys fresh as they can rotate throughout the game, but they will also push each other, and the entire unit will flourish as a result.

Though we don’t know the order for sure, Dani Dennis-Sutton and Smith Vilbert are likely the fourth and fifth options at defensive end.

When Robinson announced that Penn State was his transfer destination from Maryland, it was big news as the Nittany Lions needed to add pieces at end. It seems like the former blue-chip recruit is meeting expectations and will have a big impact on the defense in 2022.

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