Penn State’s 2016 defensive makeover is significant. The unit must replace three NFL-caliber linemen — including All-American Carl Nassib — and defensive backs Jordan Lucas and Trevor Williams.
But junior Grant Haley should be a fixture at one of new defensive coordinator Brent Pry’s corner spots.
A starter last season, Haley is one of the Lions’ most experienced, and fastest, defensive players.
The Georgia prep star met with the media earlier this week and shared his thoughts on a variety of topics.
Here are some of the highlights:
First, let’s get to Haley’s picks for defensive players to surprise in 2016 — redshirt freshman defensive tackle Kevin Givens and sophomore outside linebacker Manny Bowen.
Givens is on everyone’s list. James Franklin has been praising him since the start of spring and he is expected to be in the tackle rotation in the fall.
But Haley’s pick of Bowen is a bit of a surprise. The speedy 6-1 Bowen, a reserve in 2015 who was a special teams standout, has added roughly 15 pounds — up to 214 — and is pushing for significant time.
“He’s just doing really well, stepping in there,” Haley said of Bowen.
“He’s playing physical, he’s playing fast, he knows the system, so that helps him. He’s just minimizing his mistakes.”
PSU practices are a perfect way for Haley to sharpen his game. The Lions’ receiving corps is deep and the players come in all sizes. But PSU’s best receiver, clearly, is junior Chris Godwin, who is coming off an 1,100-yard season.
Haley was asked about some of the qualities that set Godwin apart.
“Just his motivation and focus,” Haley said.
“(Godwin’s) perfecting his craft right now. He had a great year last year. Every little detail that he can figure out, any flaw that’s in his game, he’s going to figure that out.
“He’s very hard on himself. … He’s just one of those players that’s motivated by every little mistake that may happen. I think he’s going to be a great player for years to come.”
New coordinator Joe Moorhead is a fan of spread, up-tempo offense and it’s been an adjustment for players on both sides of the ball. Throw in the running dimension presented by the Lions’ top two quarterbacks — Trace McSorley and Tommy Stevens — and PSU’s defense has been forced to cover every inch of the field at a very fast pace.
“It gets us in shape, it gets them in shape and it’s just getting us ready for the season,” Haley said when asked about PSU’s new offense.
“From the first practice until now, just the composure and the communication are very important, especially against ‘tempo’ offenses. I think we’ve done a great job with that in spring ball.”
