Penn State spring progress report: Safety picture changes, sharpens
Penn State head coach James Franklin had reason to be confident about his safety room coming into spring. He also had reason to be confident about the Nittany Lions coming out of the program’s spring session.
Has that changed with the departure of sophomore King Mack?
Diving in on the implications of the departure, what remains in the room, and what’s next for Anthony Poindexter‘s group, here:
(Review our offensive breakdowns on the offensive line, tight ends, receivers, running backs, quarterbacks, defensive ends, linebackers, and cornerbacks.)
What did we learn about the Penn State safeties this spring?
From the top, Franklin and the rest of the program’s voices raved about the emergence of Zakee Wheatley. The rising fourth-year safety had, in so many ways, turned the light on from the player he’d been before. And, while he’d always been a talented player and demonstrated as much previously in his career, Wheatley’s commitment and consistency came together for an offseason breakout.
It has wide-reaching implications for Penn State moving forward this season. On the front end, it gives the Nittany Lions comfort and confidence in its migration toward what Tom Allen does the most. And, that is a 4-2-5 defense. Jaylen Reed, who is poised to again lead and be on the field the most of anyone in the group, will effectively serve as a third linebacker in base defense, with Wheatley and K.J. Winston acting as traditional safeties.
Winston suffered a spring injury setback that forced him out of action in the back half of practices. But, overall, there is no wavering when it comes to the sense that Penn State is solid in its top three at the position. And, before the departure of Mack, that sentiment would have extended to a fourth.
“It allows us to maybe use Reed in the nickel position that we’re going to call the ‘Lion’ position,” said Franklin. “(They) allow us to get three safeties on the field as we’re determining who that nickel is going to be, whether it comes from the corner position or whether it comes from the safety position. Those three guys specifically. But really, all four of them we have a ton of confidence in.”
What questions remain?
With Mack out of the equation, the question is whether that confidence now extends to DaKaari Nelson, Lamont Payne, or Vaboue Toure. While there is reason for optimism for all three players, the reality is that Penn State must now speed the process down the depth chart.
Even Mack, who put together a lacking winter workout period before turning the corner in the second half of spring practices, was an exemplification of the dynamic that Penn State now has to use further. Needing to rely on the more veteran pieces of Reed, Winston, and Wheatley, the Nittany Lions can let its younger performers lean on the communication and experience provided by their presence.
Nelson appears to be the most natural successor in Mack’s absence, with Payne transitioning from corner to safety this offseason and Toure just a few months into his Penn State career. But, what had been a natural progression of depth, with seniority paving the way for young, talented, and inexperienced players is now a little more problematic.
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The post Penn State spring progress report: Safety picture changes, sharpens appeared first on On3.
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