With five defensive starters opted out and Tariq Castro-Fields not dressed, here is how Penn State’s defense looks to set up for today’s Outback Bowl against Arkansas.
Working with first team defense in warmups:
DE: Tarburton-Izzard-Ellies-Vilbert
LB: Sutherland-Luketa-Jacobs
DB: JPJ-Ellis-Brown-King— Donnie Collins (@PennStateTT) January 1, 2022
Defensive Line:
DE Nick Tarbutron
DT Coziah Izzard
DT Dvon Ellies
DE Smith Vilbert
Of these four, only Tarburton and Izzard have been regular starters, and Izzard started the season as a reserve before taking on an increased role due to PJ Mustipher’s injury
Linebackers
Curtis Jacobs
Jonathan Sutherland
Jesse Luketa
Only Jacobs is a regular starter. Sutherland’s normal position is safety, and Luketa’s is defensive end.
Defensive backfield
CB Joey Porter Jr.
CB Kalen King
S Ji’Ayir Brown
S Keaton Ellis
Porter and Brown are regular starters. King is filling in for Castro-Fields, and Ellis for the opted-out Jaquan Brisker.
