As cornerback rooms go, few were better than Penn State’s in 2002. The Nittany Lions’ top four combined for 43 pass breakups, six interceptions, eight tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
The play of the PSU corners was a major reason James Franklin’s team finished second nationally among FBS teams in pass efficiency defense, eighth in red zone defense, 10th in scoring defense and 17th in total defense.
But the Lions are replacing one of the top corners in the nation.
Fortunately, a standout third-year corner is back.
Top returnees: Kalen King, Johnny Dixon, Daequan Hardy, Cam Miller
King led Penn State with 18 pass breakups and intercepted three passes. He made significant strides during the final few games of his true freshman season of 2021. This year, the 5-foot-11, 189-pounder was a second-team All-Big Ten choice by the Associated Press and second-team All-America by the Walter Camp Foundation.
Dixon, a transfer from South Carolina, is back for a third season in State College. He produced 10 pass breakups, 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and Dixon also forced a fumble.
Hardy typically plays the slot in the Lions’ nickel defense and finished with four pass breakups and an interception last season.
Miller played in nine games as a true freshman a year ago and he has the size and length to cover bigger wideouts.
Moving on: Joey Porter Jr., Marquis Wilson
Porter, the son of Pittsburgh Steelers great Joey Porter Sr., is viewed by many NFL draft analysts as a potential first-round pick in the spring. He was selected second-team All-America by the Associated Press and Porter was named first-team All-Big Ten.
Wilson, who played four seasons with the Lions, entered the transfer portal earlier this month.
Player to watch: Storm Duck
Penn State added a quality corner in Duck, who is a transfer portal addition following a quality 2022 season at North Carolina. The 6-0, 200-pound Duck compiled 46 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass breakups to earn second-team All-ACC honors.
2023 signees: Zion Tracy, Lamont Payne
Tracy spent time at St. Thomas More, a prep program in Connecticut. Payne played for Chartiers Valley in western Pennsylvania. Both players enrolled early, as did highly touted defensive back Elliot Washington, who can play safety or corner.
