Penn State Set to Hire Ohio State DC Jim Knowles. What Could His Inaugural Nittany Lion Defense Look Like?

It took a two-week search following the departure of Tom Allen, but Penn State has finally found its next defensive coordinator. Jim Knowles, who served in the same role at Ohio State the past three seasons, is expected to be announced as the Nittany Lions’ newest coaching hire on Monday.

Knowles had a loaded Buckeyes unit at his disposal en route to a national championship this past season. It was a group filled with veteran players who returned to college for another year despite NFL Draft potential. In his first year at Penn State, it’ll be much of the same story. Here’s a projected look at Knowles’ inaugural Nittany Lion defensive depth chart.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Defensive end:

Dani Dennis-Sutton, SR

Max Granville, R-FR

Jaylen Harvey, R-FR

Mason Robinson, R-SO

Mylachi Williams, R-FR

Defensive tackle:

Zane Durant, SR

Kaleb Artis, R-JR

Ty Blanding, R-SO

De’Andre Cook, R-FR

Defensive tackle:

Alonzo Ford Jr., R-SR

Xavier Gilliam, R-FR

Joseph Mupoyi, R-SO

Liam Andrews, R-FR

Defensive end:

Zuriah Fisher, R-SR

Smith Vilbert, R-SR

Enai White, SR

Jordan Mayer, R-SO

Owen Wafle, R-FR

Freshmen: Yvan Kemajou, Cortez Harris, Dayshaun Burnett, Chaz Coleman, Randy Adirika.

Note: DE Amin Vanover may have an extra year of COVID eligibility remaining. He has not announced an NFL Draft declaration or a return to college. It’s possible he’s waiting to hear back from the NCAA regarding the status of his eligibility. After a strong postseason, Vanover would be a logical candidate for a starting spot alongside Dani Dennis-Sutton.

LINEBACKER

Tony Rojas, JR

Dominic DeLuca, R-SR

Keon Wylie, R-JR

Ta’Mere Robinson, R-SO

Anthony Speca, R-FR

DaKaari Nelson, R-SO

Kari Jackson, R-FR

Freshmen: Alex Tatsch, LaVar Arrington II, Cam Smith.

Note: It’s unclear whether Knowles will coach the linebackers, as he did at Ohio State, or whether that job will remain in the hands of Dan Connor. Either way, Knowles and Connor will have a question to answer prior to next fall: finding a starting middle linebacker to replace Kobe King. Ta’Mere Robinson, Anthony Speca and Keon Wylie are a few options.

SAFETY

Zakee Wheatley, R-SR

Dejuan Lane, SO

Antoine Belgrave-Shorter, R-FR

King Mack, JR

Vaboue Toure, R-FR

Kolin Dinkins, R-JR

Lamont Payne Jr., R-SO

Freshmen: Braswell Thomas.

Note: Penn State’s safety room is again thin overall, but filled with talent at the front end. Zakee Wheatley should be a fun player for Knowles to work with. King Mack, meanwhile, should step into the starting lineup in his return to the Nittany Lions after a year at Alabama. Dejuan Lane, who burned his freshman redshirt this past season, is someone to keep an eye on.

CORNERBACK

A.J. Harris, SO

Kenny Woseley Jr., R-FR

Jon Mitchell, R- FR

Elliot Washington II, JR

Audavion Collins, R-JR

NICKEL

Zion Tracy, JR

Freshmen: Daryus Dixson, Jahmir Joseph, Xxavier Thomas, Josh Johnson.

Note: Jalen Kimber is off to the NFL after a year in the starting lineup, but Knowles will have no shortage of talent in his cornerback room. A.J. Harris is projected to make a significant leap in his second year at Penn State, and Elliot Washington II and Audavion Collins are set to engage in a competition that should lead into the fall. They’ll lead a room adding four freshmen.