Penn State will have one of its key defenders back to the 2025 season.
Monday night, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound safety named Zakee Wheatley announced via social media that he plans to use his final year of eligibility and come back for 2025.
This is much-needed.
Penn State is losing its top two safeties in Kevin Winston Jr. (Draft) and Jaylen Reed (eligibility). Behind those two, there isn’t much experienced depth at the position, as evidenced by true freshman Dejuan Lane being thrown into the fire after Winston got hurt during the second week of the season. So, yeah, having Wheatley back is huge for the room.
WHEATLEY’S IMPACT
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: Zakee Wheatley
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.With defensive coordinator Tom Allen running a 4-2-5, which requires three safeties, Wheatley’s role is essential. After Winston’s injury, it became even more essential. As Penn State plays its biggest games in December, Wheatley is getting more snaps than ever. He played a staggering 75 against Oregon in the Big Ten title game per Pro Football Focus and 66 against SMU in the College Football Playoff this past Saturday. Wheatley played the team’s season opener at West Virginia as a strong safety but moved to free safety following Winston’s injury. He’s held his own, with highlights including a pair of 10-tackle performances against Wisconsin Oct. 26 and the next week against Ohio State. He ended the season with 76 tackles, good for third on the team, also forcing a fumble against Ohio State and getting an interception against Bowling Green. He was named All-Big Ten honorable mention for his efforts.
WHEATLEY’S FULL STATEMENT
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Spots Now: Zakee Wheatley
