Penn State Nittany Lions Roster 2019 Lions Roster

Head Coach: James Franklin        2017 Salary: $4,600,000        Offensive Coordinator: Ricky Rahne       Defensive Coordinator: Brent Pry/Tim Banks         

Stadium: Beaver Stadium       Surface: Grass        City: State College        State: Pennsylvania

The Penn State Nittany Lions will start the season slotted in the 10-spot of the Associated Press poll. This movement represents a downgrade from last year's 8th ranking, but the team has also undergone some excessive changes on both sides of the ball. Saquon Barkley was the team's leading rusher and was Trace McSorely's second favorite target in the receiving game. The team's top receiver from last season, Mike Gesicki, also departed for the pursuit of a professional career. This left many questions to answer with the offensive set-up this off-season.

The team was excited to add a depth position to their roster: The Lion. This is a format that mimics the wildcat set-up, placing an agile running and passing threat in a shotgun position. Tommy Stevens headlines the filler for this inclusive position. Stevens is also the back-up quarterback to McSorely, so the team wants to work in his vast range of skills within their new-look offense. In terms of pass catching, the team returns Juwan Johnson and DeAndre Thompkins. This is an important factor in prediciting Trace McSorely's advancement as a pocket passer. He will have two weapons in his arsenal that are familiar with the system. The team will also suit true freshman, KJ Hamler, as the third starter. The skill set mixed into this receiving core heavily favors quick slants and slot positioning. McSorely will still have to utilize his mobility to wreak havoc at the second level of defense. Miles Sanders will see a bulk of the carries at the running back position. While filling the shoes of Saquon Barkley seems almost impossible, Sanders presents the ample skills needed to present the team with useful touches. He has the speed needed to get second-level on defenses and he works from the inside-out, allowing the blocking to progress before him. Patience is key to keeping this offense as one of the Big Ten's best kept secrets. The defense returns most of its top playmakers. Slight shifts within the defensive line and linebacker core have some players shifting either inside or outside. These moves are minimal in scope, leaving this defense within a region of content. The key for this team will be developing the 16 true freshmen that they have rostered. This is a high number for an organization to handle, so perseverance is something that will have to be featured. Most of these freshmen are found in back-up roles, aside from the special teams group that features a kicking group of two freshman. Graduation is the nature of the beast in college football. The roster moves help open the door for Trace McSorely's game to flourish. He also becomes the main target for opposing defenses, which is something the offensive line will key in on.