Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry is confident about changes after lackluster 2020

Apr. 18—Brent Pry took the poor performance by the Penn State defense very personally last year.

Pry, the defensive coordinator, dropped 20 pounds as the Nittany Lions allowed 27.7 points per game, the most in school history.

Pry will need to watch his weight this fall if the defense's performance in Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage at Beaver Stadium is any indication.

The first-team defense looked strong against the first-team offense, even without cornerbacks Tariq Castro-Fields and Joey Porter Jr., safety Ji'Ayir Brown and linebacker Jesse Luketa, who did not play because of undisclosed medical reasons.

The additions of defensive end Arnold Ebiketie (Temple), defensive tackle Derrick Tangelo (Duke) and cornerback Johnny Dixon (South Carolina) from the transfer portal have increased the depth at those positions. .

But it was freshman cornerback Kalen King, a four-star prospect from Detroit, who was the star of the defense Saturday. He intercepted two passes, one that he returned for a touchdown and one that he made in the end zone. He also fought off a block to tackle wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a short gain.

"He's got exceptional skills," Pry said about King. "He's very confident and mature for a freshman. His instincts remind me of (Micah) Parsons a little bit, where it just comes really easy.

"I don't think there's been a practice go by that we haven't seen some highlights from him."

The play of King and Dixon this spring prompted Penn State coaches to move cornerback Marquis Wilson to wide receiver. The Lions have six cornerbacks they feel they can use at any time.

"Dixon's a mature guy," Pry said. "He's got good size and strength. He's a confident guy and has a good skill set. I'm excited that he's here. I think he's only going to get better and better as he learns our system.

"He has flexibility. He's got some safety qualities. He's got corner qualities. He's playing some at the nickel spot. He's gonna play a lot for us."

So will Ebiketie, who reached the backfield several times Saturday with a quick takeoff. For now, he's alternating with Nick Tarburton.

"AK (Ebiketie) is very athletic with great rush ability," Pry said. "He's not as long as some of the guys we've had, but he's got good athleticism. He can bend. He's got some things that remind me of Shaka (Toney) a little bit. He's a mature guy who's a student of the game."

The defense also received a lift when Castro-Fields and safety Jaquan Brisker decided to remain at Penn State for 2021 instead of turning pro, giving the Lions seven returning starters on defense.

"They've worked their tails off and are holding people accountable," Pry said. "They came back not just for themselves, but for this team and to win a championship."

Then there was the decision by Pry and head coach James Franklin to add more athleticism to the linebackers. They moved Brandon Smith to the weak side, where Parsons played in 2019, and Curtis Jacobs to the strong side.

Smith will play closer to the line of scrimmage with a chance to make a greater impact on the run defense and pass rush. Jacobs, who played wide receiver and defensive back in high school, will be in pass coverage often.

That would leave Ellis Brooks or Jesse Luketa, who both started last season, beginning the season as a reserve.

"I think Curtis brings some things to the Sam (strong side) position that we didn't have athletically," Pry said. "He's very fluid, a good player in space who has great ball skills.

"Then Brandon, putting him in the boundary at Micah's spot, he's very long and physical. I just think those two guys are really owning those spots and I think we're improved in both areas."

And on the entire defense as well.