FOOTBALL

Starting from zero: Manny Diaz on Penn State defense in 2023

If the Nittany Lion defense wants to build upon its success for 2023, it won’t be by taking anything for granted.

Published

2 months ago

March 30, 2023

Apr 23, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Manny Diaz on the field during a warmup prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

State College, PA — James Franklin’s football program was in an unusual position last year. Historically a stalwart of consistency, the Penn State defense experienced a change in leadership as Manny Diaz replaced long-time defensive coordinator Brent Pry. But as summer shifted to fall, the question marks surrounding the defense faded as Diaz led an elite unit on Penn State’s march to a Rose Bowl victory.

Now, expectations for the Penn State defense are as high as they’ve been in the James Franklin era. However, as Manny Diaz made clear during Tuesday night’s open practice and media availability, you shouldn’t expect to find any Nittany Lion defenders resting on their laurels.

The Penn State defense was an elite unit in 2022

Under Brent Pry, the Penn State defense had one of its best statistical years of the last decade in 2021. Yet, Diaz arguably improved upon that success last fall. Defensive production in 2022 outpaced 2021 in almost every major statistical category. Sacks and turnovers increased significantly, while yards allowed per play dropped. Diaz’s defense held its opponents under 20 points nine times, something it only did six times the year prior. Further still, the defense peaked at the end of the season, allowing roughly 12 points a game over the Nittany Lions’ final five games.

While the Lions lose several key pieces to the NFL Draft, many of the breakout stars from last year’s defense return for 2023. Replacing Joey Porter, Jr. is no small feat, but Kalen King has already earned acclaim as the best cornerback in the Big Ten for this upcoming year. Abdul Carter was named a freshman All-American last year, but — according to Diaz — has his sights set much higher. Chop Robinson was statistically the best pass rusher in the country in 2022, and he wasn’t even technically a starter.

Diaz: ‘Starts again at zero’

With 75% of its production returning, it would be understandable for the Penn State defense to buy into its own hype. But when asked how things are different in year two, Manny Diaz made it clear that the defense’s mentality has remained the same.

“…this time last year, we were still getting to know each other,” Diaz said Tuesday. “We were schematically really learning the ins and outs of what was going on. So you can tell in year two there’s that familiarity with it that makes it easier in some ways. But that can distract you from really what it takes to build a defense, and defense has to be rebuilt every year.”

“We do not pick up where we left off a year ago,” Diaz continued. “And that comes back to how we run to the football, how we leverage the football, how we set edges, our toughness, and how we tackle in the spring…And we made our point very clear that you know, it starts again on zero. And we have to build it from one to two to three and go on from that. So that’s really where our focus has been.”

Looking ahead, defensive consistency will be critical going into 2023. Although expectations for the offense are high under likely starter Drew Allar, breaking in a new quarterback (whoever he may be) is bound to come with some bumps. The Nittany Lions start the season with four Power 5 games — including three Big Ten opponents — in September. If the defense can handle its business and let the offense work out its growing pains, then Penn State can enter the second half of the year with everything to play for.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics.

For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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FOOTBALL

New Penn State football commit says PSU can win national title

The newest Penn State football commit is gunning for a national title.

Published

23 hours ago

June 4, 2023

Chris Mangum

Penn State football, Deryc Plazz, national title, 2024 recruiting class

Jan 2, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin celebrates with the trophy on the podium after the Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Today, Penn State football made an exciting addition to its 2024 recruiting class by securing the commitment of three-star offensive tackle Deryc Plazz from Florida. Shortly after joining the team, Plazz expressed his bold aspirations for Penn State’s future, confidently proclaiming that the program is poised to claim a future national title and more.

A future national title for Penn State football?

Freshly committed to Penn State football, Deryc Plazz wasted no time in immersing himself in the pursuit of the team’s first national championship since 1986. This promising three-star prospect from Florida showcased his ambitious mindset by sharing his optimistic vision for the future of football in Happy Valley.

“The current class is amazing and it’s truly a blessing to be a part of something this special,” Plazz said, according to Steve Wiltfong. “Looking to load this class up and bring a Natty to Happy Valley.”

Deryc Plazz, Penn State gunning to go above and beyond in the years to come

Plazz doesn’t just want to win a national title during his time at Penn State football, he believes that the Nittany Lions are on track to do so in the near future.

“What’s most exciting about the program is that we’re on track to win a National Championship and that’s the purpose of playing,” Plazz continued. “The opportunity to win a National Championship was the biggest thing. Just knowing that we will constantly be competitive in the college football playoff while and with this 24 class loading up I know we will definitely win it.”

A glass ceiling that needs to break

Currently, Penn State football is showing promising signs of being a strong contender for the Big Ten title and a spot in the College Football Playoff this upcoming season. Preseason polls from various outlets consistently rank the Nittany Lions within the range of No. 5-10, which is well-deserved considering their impressive 11-2 record and Rose Bowl victory under the leadership of James Franklin last year.

However, many projections still anticipate Penn State falling short against formidable opponents like Michigan and Ohio State, which would likely result in another New Year’s Six bowl appearance for the team.

While such a season would still be commendable, as being a top 10 program is an achievement in itself, it is encouraging to see the aspirations of Deryc Plazz and the rest of the 2024 recruiting class. Their desire to strive for greater success in the Blue and White during their tenure is a positive indicator of the program’s ambitions and the determination of its players, commits, and the team’s culture in the years to come.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

FOOTBALL

Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith joins PA-based sports talent firm

The Penn State WR is the third Nittany Lion to sign with the firm since May.

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2023

Matt Thomas

Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Penn State Football, PA sports talent firm

Jan 2, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (1) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

On Saturday, it was announced that Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith had signed with Inch & Co. Sports, a new PA-based sports talent firm. Lambert-Smith becomes the third Penn State football player to sign with the firm in the last month. The founders of Inch & Co. Sports, John and Jeff Inch, and their larger network of PA-based companies, have become increasingly involved in Penn State’s NIL and athlete representation landscape over the last year.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith signs with PA-based sports talent firm

On Saturday evening, Inch & Co. Sports announced via its social media pages that the organization had signed KeAndre Lambert-Smith. The Penn State WR is coming off a budding end to the 2022 season, where he hauled in 8 catches for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Nittany Lions’ final two games. Reporting out of spring practice indicated that Lambert-Smith had separated himself from the pack of Penn State receivers.

“He’s been really good so far this spring,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said. “We need him to be THE guy, a true number one [receiver], not just at Penn State but really in the [Big Ten] and a guy that people are talking about nationally.”

Welcome @drelambertt ! pic.twitter.com/KzF4jkbo1H

— Inch & Co. Sports (@inchandcosports) June 3, 2023

Inch & Co. Sports establishes itself in the Penn State football NIL landscape

Inch & Co. Sports is a York County, PA-based sports talent firm. The company’s founders, brothers John and Jeff Inch, are credited with starting “one of the fastest growing real estate construction companies in the U.S.” According to the firm’s website, its mission is “Representing our athletes with integrity and originality…Whether it’s giving back to the underprivileged, monetizing their image, or guiding them through a professional decision; building trust through honesty is our goal.”

KeAndre Lambert-Smith is the third Penn State football player to sign with the organization since May. The firm first signed QB Beau Pribula, who was a standout at York Central High School, on May 16. Inch & Co. added CB Johnny Dixon later in the month.

Over the last several months, the Inch & Co. network of companies has been establishing itself in the Penn State NIL landscape. In December, the company made headlines when it provided Teslas via a NIL partnership to four Nittany Lions – QB Drew Allar, LB Abdul Carter, CB Kalen King, and OT Olu Fashanu. Pribula was added to the partnership several weeks later.

Inch&Co supports Penn State football in a Big way,THANK YOU 🤘🏿 pic.twitter.com/UPLX3NaY2b

— Abdul Carter (@1NCRDB1) December 8, 2022

FOOTBALL

New Penn State football quarterback set to enroll early next spring

New Penn State football quarterback commit Ethan Grunkemeyer is set to enroll early next spring.

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2023

Chris Mangum

All Blue and White fans are clamoring about new Penn State football quarterback commit Ethan Grunkemeyer, who committed to the Nittany Lions late last month. Now, new reports are suggesting that Penn State’s new quarterback intends to enroll in the university early next spring and get extra time with the team and coaching staff ahead of the 2024 season.

Ethan Grunkemeyer set to enroll early

Ethan Grunkemeyer has been a heavily discussed topic among Penn State football fans. At first, a number of fans and talking heads jumped to conclusions, all voicing disappointment due to his three-star rating. However, upon closer observation, it becomes clear that this new 2024 QB may turn into something special as time goes on.

Grunkemeyer, like Drew Allar, committed to Penn State as a three-star but is expected to become a four-star or even better when all is said and done. In fact, Grunkemeyer earned a bid in State College last month and will be competing with the nation’s top quarterbacks at the Elite 11 finals.

“I’m just really excited to be surrounded by great people — Coach Franklin, Coach Yurcich, Coach [Danny] O’Brien,” Grunkemeyer told 247 Sports in a recent podcast interview. “I’ve built a really good relationship with all those guys. And I know Drew, and he loves his experience there so far. So I’m really happy where I landed, and I’m really excited to start to work with those guys.”

Penn State football has something special with new 2024 quarterback

According to the most recent composite rankings, Penn State football quarterback commit Ethan Grunkemeyer remains a three-star recruit. He is currently ranked as the No. 751 recruit in the nation, the No. 46 quarterback in the 2024 class, and the No. 24 recruit in the state of Ohio. While he may not be the highest-ranked recruit in Penn State’s class, the Nittany Lions have a special player with a bright future ahead of them.