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Linebacker depth article:https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/penn-state-defensive-domino-effect-franklin-lays-out-complications-of-moving-abdul-carter-to-edge/

Film Room: https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/penn-state-defensive-identity-coming-into-sharper-focus-this-spring/

The Penn State defense returns talent and depth this season, but some parts of the roster need to work themselves out before the start of the 2024 season. On Today’s BWI Live show, we discuss how the linebacker position is shaping up through spring football. We’ll also discuss how Jaxon Smolik’s injury affects now third-string quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. Join the show today at 10 a.m. on YouTube, or check out the replay embedded in this article.

Penn State defensive adjustments a work in progress
While Penn State fans are excited about Abdul Carter’s move to defensive end, the team still needs to sort out details about the move. Head coach James Franklin preached caution about the move being a slam-dunk positive for everyone involved this spring.

“Moving Abdul to defensive end, everybody’s excited about but it has an impact on our linebacker room, too,” he said last week.

We discuss the issues that moving Carter created for the team’s linebackers and what that group needs to do to make up for the loss of an impact player at the position. Franklin thinks that it will take time beyond spring football.

“So hopefully, they’ll finish out the spring on a real positive and have a really good spring game and go into the summer with some confidence,” Franklin said. “And then again, a couple of weeks into summer camp, feeling like we have depth there. Because right now, ‘we’ve got to create some more depth there to feel good about.”

Jaxon Smolik injury puts a new spotlight on Ethan Grunkemeyer

Blue White Illustrated’s Ryan Snyder broke the news this week that backup quarterback Jaxon Smolik would miss extended time with an injury suffered this spring. During today’s Ask T-Frank segment, we dive into what this means for the team and four-star freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer. What should Penn State fans know about the former top-ten passer in the Class of 2024? We’ll discuss his spring so far.

Freshmen who could contribute this year

Finally, we end the show discussing the Penn State freshmen who could have an impact and burn their redshirts this season. While Cooper Cousins is an obvious favorite to do so, who could join him? We make the case for running back Quinton Martin and several defensive players.

However, there are fewer roles or spots for incoming freshmen than there were several years ago. We discuss that dynamic to end the show.


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