A 13-3 finish. A Big 10 Championship game appearance. Playoff semifinalist. Looking back, Penn State’s 2024 season seems decent. But James Franklin’s roster fell through against the top opponents. Just like every other season. The three losses came against Ohio State, Oregon, and Notre Dame. Will that change this year? The head coach is aiming for redemption. “If we want the narrative to change, we got an opportunity to change it. We want people to shut up? We can shut them up real easy,” he told the media during the Big 10 Media Days.
To shut them up, James Franklin played a $9 million coaching gamble, stealing the Buckeyes’ natty-winning DC. Now, armed with Jim Knowles’ defensive playbook, the Lions prep for the trenches. But in Knowles’ defensive scheme of things, one wrinkle has got the roster anxious. The linebacker room.
“Is anybody kind of flashing that you feel that you could count on yet? Are you still wanting to see?” one reporter asked Knowles about the LB room during the latter’s August 12 press conference. “Nope, Nobody I can count on yet. You know, you’re right. We got these three that I can count on and trust those guys. And then there’s competition.”
Who are the three? Well, you’ve got Tony Rojas, predicted to be the centerpiece of the unit. Last year, we saw flashes, including a pick-six in the postseason. His role in Knowles’ system may evolve. Then, there is Domini DeLuca, returning for his sixth year at Happy Valley. The duo would be supported by UNC transfer Amare Campbell, who amassed 76 tackles, 10.5 TFL, and 6.5 sacks for North Carolina last year.
Beyond these three, there’s promise but no experience. Keon Wylie and Anthony Speca are part of that list. Another one is freshman Alex Tatsch. Knowles approves of his abilities, but is he ready? “Tatsch has shown some things that make you think he’s going to be very good in the future.” But can he partake in the upcoming season? “I don’t know yet, but he’s in competition, all those guys. We need someone or all of them to separate themselves.”
But is he comfortable with just three reliable LBs? Absolutely not. “No. No, we’re certain. I mean, I’ve done it plenty, you know, but I’m not comfortable with it.”
Another reporter raised a question regarding the flexibility in the LB room. “Yeah, there’s flexibility. There’s a lot of flexibility. It’s not like the old days where the mike linebacker does certain things, it’s because the formations are all different now. So, the mike linebacker ends up in space also. So, that’s really kind of been thrown out the window,” the DC said.
So, what now? The new defensive coordinator is observing and taking detailed notes. While other position coaches are yelling at their players, Knowles is 25 yards away from action, absorbing all the information. But one thing is pretty clear. More reps, more drills, and more pushing are needed to gauge the players’ abilities and hone their skills. “They’re going to get all the reps cuz we have to try to push them to see who can really step up.” The key takeaway? It’s a work in progress.
Penn State, Jim Knowles, and the defensive playbook
Well, under Jim Knowles’ tutelage, the Buckeyes beat the Lions thrice. Adding more fuel to the fire, out of the three, two defeats came at Beaver Stadium. One thing was pretty clear: PSU QB Drew Allar couldn’t get past Knowles’ defensive shield. So, learning from the best, as Allar himself confessed (in a conversation with On3’s Pete Nakos), “We really respect that program because of all they’ve accomplished and the players they’ve produced.” The Nittany Lions are buckling up with Knowles’ playbook.
So, how was Jim able to tear the Lions’ offense? He told Franklin & Co. “Well, we were able to get his Ohio State game plan and evaluation of us and our personnel that he did before he was in our office, and handed it to us,” Franklin said during the Big 10 Media Days. “That was really valuable, to be able to go back and watch the game with him and our offensive staff. Really valuable.” For the record, in the past two seasons, Allar was able to complete just 30 of 62 attempts for 337 yards against the Buckeyes.
Coming to Penn State, Knowles is impressed with the roster. “They’re competitive and like always competing in practice. A lot is left to seen, but from what I’ve seen, I like the way they compete.” He further talked about his ideal traits for a defensive end. Size or rushing ability? What makes a player land that spot? Is it physicality and size on the edge, or maybe the guys who are like speed rushers and a little bit smaller?
“We can work with guys if they at least, like you said, display one,” Knowles said. “If they at least display one talent where they can handle things at this level, then we can find ways to rotate them in. You know, if they can do that now, if they can do both run and pass, that’s a big bonus.”
With less than three weeks left for the upcoming season, the fall camp is pumping with adrenaline. Will Jim Knowles’ defensive playbook be a hit at the Lions’ den as well?
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