Penn State shockingly loses veteran defensive line depth to midseason departure

Penn State defensive lineman Hakeem Beamon has left the team this week. The redshirt senior has seen his role decrease after playing 23 snaps against West Virginia in the season opener. In last week’s 20-13 loss to Ohio State, Beamon played just seven snaps, the fifth most of defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s interior defensive line rotation. 

Zane Durant has been the mainstay along the Nittany Lion’s veteran defensive line with sixth-year Dvon J-Thomas and fifth-year Coziah Izzard. Beamon has been replaced by Old Dominion junior transfer Alonzo Ford Jr. who had his second-highest snap total off the season in Week 10. 

Beamon has recorded just three tackles, no sacks, and five QB pressures this season. Rumblings about Beamon’s status began this week when he was not spotted at Wednesday's practice which was open to reporters. It is still unknown why Beamon departed the program midway through his final year of eligibility. 

Going forward, Penn State’s depth on the interior of the defensive line will be a question mark. Redshirt freshman Ty Blanding could see an increased role in Beamon's absence, though he has played only 11 total snaps across two games in 2024. 

Penn State’s run defense has been very effective this year, ranking No. 12 in the country in rush yards allowed per game. That likely won’t suffer in Week 11 against Washington and running back Jonah Coleman, but if the Nittany Lions sustain an injury, there could be a dropoff with the new lack of depth as James Franklin’s team makes a push for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.