How does Penn State replace Abdul Carter at linebacker?
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The Penn State defense is undergoing some changes for the upcoming season and we’re previewing what that might look like during spring football. The BWI Live show looks at how the Nittany Lions may replace Abdul Carter at defensive end and what Tony Rojas playing Sam linebacker means for the spring.
We’re also discussing the shift in how the team will play on the back end with new defensive coordinator Tom Allen taking over the squad. What will he prioritize from a defensive perspective in order to generate turnovers? And how does that affect the safety position? It’s all defense all day on the BWI Live show! Join us at 10 a.m. Tuesday through Friday to get the latest on Penn State football, recruiting and wrestling.
If you can’t catch the show live, check it out on replay here, embedded in the article, or on the Blue-White Illustrated YouTube Channel.
Penn State is moving Abdul Carter to edge
Penn State made the decision this offseason to move its most famous defender to a different position. We’ve discussed the pros and cons of Carter’s move to the defensive end here on the site; now we add some context to that conversation on the show.
https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/penn-state-linebacker-abdul-carter-moves-to-defensive-end/
But, the inherent advantage of having Carter at linebacker was sneaking an extra edge defender on the field. The Penn State defense had a Bizzaro lineup in 2023, thanks to Carter and Kobe King’s size in the box. Both players checked in at 250 pounds, meaning that it was like having a bonus defensive lineman when either run-blitzed an interior gap. This doesn’t mean that young linebackers like Tony Rojas, Kaveion Keys, or Keon Wylie can’t play the run skillfully, but it does change the nature of the team’s front seven. Also, while Carter’s off-ball instincts weren’t exceptional last season, he became more proficient as the season wore on. His first quarter against Ole Miss hinted at a Micah Parsons-level bowl breakout before an injury ended his day early.
Next, we dive further into the ramifications of moving Carter on the linebacker position. Will Penn State play three linebackers in 2024? Or will Allen shift the defense to a two-linebacker look? There’s plenty of ways this can go, which we discuss on the show.
Penn State defensive shift in coverages
Lastly, we detail some of the potential changes that Allen could make in the defensive structure. We discuss the difference between a man coverage-focused defense and the potential results of a zone coverage defense.
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How does Penn State replace Abdul Carter at linebacker?