Relax. We are fine at DT. We have 3 guys that could be all Big Ten11 in the next 2 years. A redshit Freshman who is ready to play and tough kid ( McEowen.)

If it is simply a broken leg, his season won’t be over and he could be back sometime in October. I doubt we would miss him much in the first four weeks of the season anyway. Lets just hope he is back by the time the team takes a trip to Camp Randall.

I was so excited to see Devon. He is an impact DL there is no doubt in my mind, but he has been set back just prior to the season in consecutive years with devastating injuries. I believe it was his left knee that he tore up, does anyone know what leg he broke? I will continue to expect big things from Devon and also pray for him, he doesn’t deserve this! Quick Recovery Devon and best of luck.

Now, the DTs we do have:

Jared Odrick: Should be 110% by now. Was ready to break out last year prior to injury.

Abe Koroma: Was “supposed” to be a starter prior to getting injured in preseason practices and having surgery on his foot. Played last year, got lots of experience, especially in the Alamo Bowl against Texas A&M.

Ollie Ogbu: I really like this kid, I think he is probably our best penetrating DT from what I could tell but he was inconsistent. He proved that he could remain injury free though and got a lot of experience last year. Kid was prep so you know he has benefited from another year with LJ, another year of food, another year of strength and conditioning AFTER having played and played with flashes of brilliance.

Tom McEowen: Should be completely healthy (110%) after being hurt prior to last year during winter workouts. Was down near 275-280 and I’m not sure what his weight is now but he may turn out to be our most impressive interior pass rusher. LJ and others were real high on him prior to his injury. He could probably help inside/out, and with Maurice Evans at 6’3-6’2.5 270 pounds I wouldn’t be surprised to see Evans & McEowen inside on some 3rd downs with Hayes/Latimore or Latimore/Maybin at DE.

Chimaeze Okoli: Another player that should be 110% by now. Impressive size, athleticism to play DE and was told to come in with that goal in mind. MEANING, he got down to about 275 or so and then was built back up the right way at DT. 6’4.5-6’4 287-295 pounds now and completely healthy.

We have 5 DTs that would see the field at another other program in the Big 10. We are STILL DEEP, even after booting 2 DTs and Still breaking his leg. We have two players (possibly three: Evans, McEowen & maybe Latimore) that could play inside/out for situational purposes. Evans can play inside on 3rd downs, McEowen can play outside and I don’t know if the coaches are comfortable moving Latimore around since he suffered a concussion but if he were capable at 6’5 265 he could possibly play inside on 3rd downs…depending on how he plays the run of course, we can’t just get blasted off the ball. We absolutely must stay healthy though, and there is NO WAY that we can lose anyone else, NO WAY! :( This defensive line is still ridiculously sick, and the adversity/injuries should draw this group even closer together and send them on a mission to prove that Penn State reloads.

The way I see it, we still have 5 DTs and 3 have plenty of experience…and we have as many as 7 bodies for situational DT play. Freshmen James Terry was recruited as a DT but last I heard he was working with the offensive line, freshmen Brandon Ware who is a DT but needs massive conditioning work & freshmen OT Deon’Tae Panell. All three played both ways in H.S. but Pannell was a standout OT/DT at 6’5-6’4.5 305 pounds and played basketball as well as got involved with track. There was talk that coaches watned him at DT but he was starting off at LT for now, with injuries and dismissals that could change; especially IF (god forbid) we lost anyone else. We have Jerome Hayes and he is 110% at DE, Aaron Maybin at DE, Maurice Evans at DE, Josh Gaines at DE, Kevion Latham at DE and a boatload more. I’m still excited as hell about this DL, and still don’t worry about the CBs like most. Wallace/Davis will be better than King/Sargaent.