For Penn State coach Matt Campbell, a defensive end who was one of the many players who came over from Iowa State, has impressed daily.
The Penn State defensive ends room will need to replace its top performer for the third year in a row.
After 2023, Penn State had to account for Chop Robinson, who became a first-round pick with the Miami Dolphins.
The next season, Abdul Carter moved from linebacker to the edge. Carter became one of the best players in college football, leading to him being picked third overall by the New York Giants in last year’s draft.
Now, Penn State must replace Dani Dennis-Sutton. Sutton is weeks away from being drafted himself. Penn State also has to replace Chaz Coleman. Coleman transferred to Tennessee after a promising true freshman season.
To do that, Penn State will rely on a mix of returners from last year’s team (Yvan Kemajou, Max Granville), a transfer who previously hadn’t played for Campbell or Penn State (Alex McPherson) and a transfer who played for Campbell at Iowa State.
That brings us to Ikenna Ezeogu.
Ezeogu, a 6-foot-5, 275-pound redshirt senior, played his first four seasons at ISU, becoming a regular starter last year.
With spring ball nearing its finish line, Campbell has liked what he’s seen.
WHAT HAS IMPRESSED CAMPBELL?
So what is it about Ezeogu that led Campbell to describe him as “a guy that has maybe flashed every single day so far?'”
“Number one, structure has really helped,” Campbell told reporters after practice Tuesday. “You know, when you are playing the defensive front, a three-man front at Iowa State, it’s a little different playing defensive end in a four-man front. You know, we asked Ike to play as a three technique and a four at times, and to have him on the edge. It’s almost probably played to what his strengths are.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Campbell went on to mention Ezeogu in the same breath as one of the best players he ever coached.
“We had a kid named Will McDonald that was kind of the same way,” Campbell said.
Campbell then pointed out that McDonald and Ezeogu both came to Iowa State with a basketball background. Both continually climbed up the ladder in Ames.
McDonald was a three-time first-team All-Big 12 performer. He ended up going No. 15 overall to the New York Jets in 2023.
“I’m not saying he’s Will,” Campbell said, “but I’m saying he’s made those jumps. And really, what you wanted to see is coming into a place where, man, you’re starting over. You’re going to have to earn every rep you get to the ability of what you would expect a young man that’s playing his fourth year of college football and has played really good football. I think what we were looking for was consistency. And I think he’s put together as impressive a spring as anybody on the defensive front. So we’re excited about where he is.”
THE REST OF THE ROOM
Campbell also talked about the rest of Penn State’s defensive ends room.
“I think it was that fine balance of seeing there were some really talented young players here,” Campbell said. “You know, I just think when you when you watch, and you see what Yvonne did, obviously had to go back a year and watch what Max Granville did. But you saw Max working in the weight room.”
Campbell also pointed out that there are players who are capable of playing both defensive end and defensive tackle, with one of them being Alijah Carnell, a defensive tackle coming over from Iowa State.
“So, you’ve got some guys that have position flexibility, but I think the biggest thing was the strength and physicality on that defensive line that we really would like to grow forward,” Campbell said.
The spring season will conclude with the Blue-White Practice, scheduled for Saturday, April 27, inside Beaver Stadium. That’s scheduled to begin at 1.
