Penn State Football Defense Preview 2025: New Coordinator, Same Elite Nittany Lions D
X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN2025 Penn State PreviewPenn State Offense Breakdown Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season- The linebackers will always be great at Penn State, but the defensive front should be the star this year around All-America candidate Dani Dennis-Sutton. He was second on the team behind Abdul Carter with 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.There's no replacing the talent and production of Carter, but Zuriah Fisher will give it a shot after missing all of last year banged up. 6-5, 275-pound Enai White (Texas A&M) has all the tools to be a top part of the rotation.
The defensive tackles are hardly questionable, but they need some key guys to step up with Dvon J-Thomas off to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Alonzo Ford missed all of 2023 and was out hurt late last year. The former Old Dominion star who made 16 tackles last year for the Nittany Lions is a go to be one of the anchors on the inside.Ford will work next to Zane Durant, an ultra-quick tackle with six career sacks and 18 tackles for loss. Xavier Gilliam didn't see much time last year, but the redshirt freshman appears to be the next star up after a strong offseason.
- The linebacking corps has its new star. Amare Campbell (North Carolina) was a thumper for the Tar Heels, making 76 tackles with 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss last season. He'll take over in the middle with Anthony Speca a good-looking young option who'll see plenty of time.Tony Rojas was overshadowed a bit by all the defensive stars last year, but he did a little of everything with 58 tackles, a sack, six tackles for loss, three picks, and constant pressure in the backfield.
- The Nittany Lion corners are terrific. AJ Harris only picked off one pass and broke up five, but the former Georgia Bulldog is a tough tackler who'll lock down one side. Elliot Washington II will still have to fight for the gig on the other side, but he had plenty of good moments last year and should come through with everyone staying away from Harris.If Dejuan Lane can step up into the strong safety spot, everything will be more than fine. Zion Tracy produced throughout last year in the rotation and should shine in the nickel spot, and Zakee Wheatley finished third on the team with 96 stops with three interceptions at the free safety job. 2025 Penn State PreviewPenn State Offense Breakdown Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season
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USA Today
21 minutes ago
- USA Today
QB Joe Burrow says this is best he's felt throwing the football in years. That's scary
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New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
On deadline day, bullpen help is a must for the Tigers
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But the early vibes around Paddack are strong, as was his performance Wednesday. 'I know it matters to him,' Hinch said. 'That's one of the things he said to me in my office, is how much he cares.' (Photo of Scott Harris and A.J. Hinch: Junfu Han / USA Today Network)
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
MLB trade deadline rumors: Latest news and updates as clock runs down
It's deadline day in Major League Baseball, with mere hours until the league's 6 p.m. ET trade deadline on Thursday, July 31, and teams are jockeying to make moves for the stretch run. The Seattle Mariners made the biggest move overnight, landing slugger Eugenio Suárez in a deal with Diamondbacks, just a week after acquiring Josh Naylor from Arizona. All-Star starting pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Zac Gallen could all have new homes come dinnertime. Which contenders will improve the most on Thursday? The baseball world is certainly set for an intringuing deadline day. Follow along for the latest news, rumors and updates leading up to the deadline. Jhoan Duran trade grades: Who won Phillies-Twins deal? Just ahead of MLB's trade deadline day, Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made a big splash by landing one of the top closers on the market – Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins for Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait. Read a full analysis of the trade here. – John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers trades reshape Mets bullpen The Mets front office is building a monster of a bullpen ahead of the trade deadline. A few hours after the team acquired Tyler Rogers from the Giants on Wednesday afternoon, the Mets agreed to a deal to land Cardinals right-handed closer Ryan Helsley. It is an arms race in the National League East, with the Phillies adding Twins closer Jhoan Duran. This season, Helsley has converted 21 out of his 26 save opportunities while pitching to a 3.00 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 36 innings. The 31-year-old, who is on an expiring $8.2 million deal, is a two-time All-Star. He has spent each of his seven seasons with the Cardinals, where he was drafted in the fifth round in the 2015 MLB Draft. – Andrew Tredinnick, Ke'Bryan Hayes trade: Did Reds get 'best defender in baseball'? Ke'Bryan Hayes, 28, comes to Cincinnati in exchange for veteran reliever Taylor Rogers, who the Reds acquired this past offseason, and prospect Sammy Stafura, 20, who was drafted in the second round with the 43rd overall pick in 2023 and who was in big league camp this past spring training. Hayes, a Gold Glover in 2023, checks several boxes for Cincinnati at the trade deadline as he's under team control through 2029, and affords the club flexibility with its existing players and prospects. Most significantly, Hayes will be a clear upgrade defensively. "He might be the best defender in baseball," Reds manager Terry Francona said. "If not, he's right there. He's that good. We're trying to find ways to get better and sometimes it might not be the sexiest move but we care so much about trying to play clean baseball and this will be a huge step in that direction." – Pat Brennan and Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer When is the 2025 MLB trade deadline? The MLB trade deadline is set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 31. What time is the MLB trade deadline? The 2025 MLB trade deadline falls at 6 p.m. ET.
