One of the classic college defensive teams in Penn State football gets to showcase why it’s once again “Linebacker U” in 2019. It’s got youth, experience and most of all the on-field performance to dominate the Big Ten in Brent Pry’s 4-3 defense.
Beginning with the team’s starters, Penn State features essentially three returning starters on the defense, while losing just one player to graduation, Koa Farmer. At the middle linebacker spot Jan Johnson represents a throwback for the Nittany Lions. He worked his way up the depth chart after walking on the team.
In his first year of significant action, he finished second on the team in tackles (72) and recorded 1.