Although Penn State is exactly where it’s expected to be through two weeks record-wise, it’s been an up-and-down season for the defense so far.
New coordinator Tom Allen’s unit was as advertised in Week 1, allowing 12 points at West Virginia and no touchdowns until the outcome had been decided in the second half.
Bowling Green was a different story.
The scrappy 34.5-point underdog scored 24 points on Penn State in the first half and didn’t punt until the third quarter. Although Penn State regrouped to allow only three points in the second half and came up with two key interceptions via Tony Rojas and Zakee Wheatley, plenty of people were concerned with the whole body of work.
Where Allen’s first defense ends up remains to be seen, but for now, here are the team’s best overall players per Pro Football Focus.
DT Zane Durant
Grade: 82
Snaps: 78
The third-year defensive tackle from Lake Nona, Florida has played excellent football through two weeks. So far, he checks out in every department. Durant’s been good in the run game (77.5) solid in tackling (75.3) and has been able to create pressure from the inside. Against Bowling Green, he had three quarterback hurries, and at West Virginia, he had a sack and a hurry. Per PFF, Durant’s performance against Bowling Green was the best a Penn State player on either side of the ball has had this season. He ended with an outstanding 88.9 grade. Durant doesn’t often get talked about as one of Penn State’s best players, often overshadowed by players like Abdul Carter, Dani Dennis-Sutton and K.J. Winston. But so far, he is one of PSU’s best.
CB A.J. Harris
Grade: 76.1
Snaps: 102
The transfer from Georgia has been as advertised so far. Along with his overall grade, Harris’ grade in run defense is 65.9 and his tackling is 61.1. Harris was better at West Virginia than he was against Bowling Green. This past Saturday, he missed a tackle and allowed receptions on both of his targets, although they only went for seven and six yards, respectively. Harris also played more snaps closer to the line against Bowling Green, with 13 snaps in the box compared to five against West Virginia. Overall, Harris had a 66.8 grade against BG compared to 79.4 in the opener. He’s shown a lot through two games and is still only a sophomore.
LB Tony Rojas
Grade: 76
Snaps: 94
Football is life. A sophomore, Rojas had never played more than 20 snaps in a college game before this season. He’s played 47 each in Penn State’s two games thus far and has more than held his own. Although Rojas has struggled in tackling— he’s missed five through two games thus far— he’s compensated for that with his performance in pass coverage. He’s been targeted seven times through two games and has allowed just two catches, one of which only going for one yard. His interception in the fourth quarter against Bowling Green helped preserve the game, and he had an excellent pass breakup earlier as well. Rojas is still a work in progress, but like with Harris, there’s a lot to like about the second-year player.
CB Elliot Washington
Grade: 75.6
Snaps: 46
S Jaylen Reed
Grade: 74.8
Snaps: 127
DT Dvon J-Thomas
Grade: 71.4
Snaps: 62
DE Smith Vilbert
Grade: 70.9
Snaps: 49
LB Tyler Elsdon
Grade: 69.8
Snaps: 36
CB Audavion Collins
Grade: 66.1
Snaps: 19
DT Coziah Izzard
Grade: 65.8
Snaps: 52
S Kevin Winston Jr.
Grade: 64.1
Snaps: 74
DE Dani Dennis-Sutton
Grade: 63.3
Snaps: 90
MLB Kobe King
Grade: 62.7
Snaps: 97
DT Ty Blanding
Grade: 62.5
Snaps: 3
DT Alonzo Ford Jr.
Grade: 61.5
Snaps: 41
S DeJuan Lane
Grade: 60.9
Snaps: 3
S Zakee Wheatley
Grade: 60.8
Snaps: 120
LB Dom DeLuca
Grade: 60.7
Snaps: 68
S Tyrece Mills
Grade: 60.4
Snaps: 3
LB Ta’Mere Robinson
Grade: 60
Snaps: 1
DE Jordan Mayer
Grade: 59.8
Snaps: 1
DT Hakeem Beamon
Grade: 59.4
Snaps: 36
DE Amin Vanover
Grade: 57.9
Snaps: 61
S Zion Tracy
Grade: 56.3
Snaps: 10
DE Abdul Carter
Grade: 53.2
Snaps: 36
CB Jalen Kimber
Grade: 52.5
Snaps: 97
