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Although Tom Allen has been at Penn State for only six months, he has learned much about the linebackers he guides as their position coach and defensive coordinator.
“It’s a special room,” Allen said last week during an interview session with writers. “One of the strength coaches came to me the other day and said, ‘Coach, all I have to do is give these linebackers what they’re supposed to do. I literally could walk away and they would get it done and do additional.’
“It didn’t surprise me. I’ve seen it since I’ve been here.”
Allen, the former Indiana head coach, believes he has the pieces at linebacker to fit his aggressive 4-2-5 scheme.
With Curtis Jacobs signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent and Abdul Carter moving to defensive end, Kobe King is the only returning starter at linebacker for Penn State.
King has the size (6-1, 250), the experience (30 games) and the personality to anchor the defense.
“You have to be loud and confident to run the defense,” Allen said. “He brings that. He has experience. He has a ton of passion for what he does. He’s respected. He works really hard. He practices well. He comes and studies. He’s well-versed in what we’re doing.”
King, the twin brother of former Nittany Lions cornerback Kalen King, had the second-most tackles last year at Penn State with 59 in his first season as the starting middle linebacker. He also had six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.
“He’s bringing guys with him and they’re doing a lot of things on their own this summer,” Allen said. “He’s been awesome with that. It’s been a big growth step for him. That’s what leaders do. To me, that’s a huge step.”
Sophomore Tony Rojas is the leading candidate to play alongside King. Rojas, a four-star recruit from Fairfax, Va.,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/defensive-coordinator-says-penn-state-034600196.html
Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.
Publish date : 2024-06-19 03:46:00
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