A common theme with defensive starters this year for Penn State is replacing NFL draftees. There is no difference at the safety position. Jaquan Brisker was the field general for the Penn State defense last year but now new defensive coordinator Manny Diazis looking for a new one.
He may have it in the form of one Ji’Ayir Brown.
Brown earned plenty of solid game reps last year as he appeared in 13 games but he didn’t have the responsibilities that he is facing now. Diaz has shown he can coach up safeties from his days at both Texas and Miami, Brown is his latest star pupil.
Will he be able to handle all that Brown will be throwing at him? Signs point to yes but that still makes stepping into the limelight a tough task for anyone but with the staff in place and the supporting cast on defense, he should be okay.
Preseason Player Profile
Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Hometon: Trenton, NJ
Ht: 6-0
Wt: 203
247Sports Composite Ranking
Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
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Class in 2021: Redshirt Junior
Career Stats
Credit: Joseph Cress-USA TODAY Sports
| Year | G | Tkls. | TFL | INT | FF/FR |
| 2020 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 13 | 73 | 1 | 6 | 1/2 |
Depth Chart Overview
Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
For Ji’Ayir Brown we talked about the departure of Jaquan Brisker and how Manny Diaz has already started to lift him up. With those two facts in mind I think it is worth realizing he is not only going to be the head of the safety position but maybe the whole defense. He plays physical while also providing coverage, a complete safety for the Nittany Lions.
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