Penn State football returned to campus this week as preseason camp began on Monday. One of the players who participated in practice was none other than defensive tackle PJ Mustipher. It is reported that Mustipher took part in at least individual drills during the first day of training camp. Members of the media weren’t permitted to watch all of the camp drills, so it’s unknown whether he did any contact work.
The fifth-year senior injured his left knee last October against Iowa, ending his season. Mustipher underwent surgery to repair the injured knee and was cleared recently to return to the field. Both Penn State head coach James Franklin and PJ Mustipher confirmed his status at Big 10 media days last week.
Mustipher took the fifth year of eligibility that NCAA athletes were awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hoping that will once again put him in the talk as an NFL prospect. Before suffering the injury, Mustipher was seen as a possible first or second round NFL Draft pick in early 2021, a solid 2022 season could get him right back in that conversation.
Manny Diaz makes his camp debut as PSU’s new DC
The defensive will now be under the direction of new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. Penn State hired Diaz after his departure from the University of Miami. Brent Pry, who did an outstanding job with the Nittany Lions defense, took the head coaching role at Virgina Tech. Diaz now has big shoes to fill in continuing with the tradition and success of the team’s defense.
What to look for from Penn State’s defense this season
The Nittany Lions looked dominant at the start of the 2021 season, but the above-mentioned trip to Iowa in early October is where it started to unravel. Injuries to Mustipher and quarterback Sean Clifford were two of the biggest hits to the roster against the Hawkeyes. Penn State’s issues on defense continued throughout the season.
The Nittany Lions defensive line looks poised to start the season healthy. With Mustipher, defensive end Adisa Isaac who has recovered from an Achilles injury and defensive tackle Hakeem Beamon who also missed time with an injury.
Penn State will open the 2022 season on Thursday, September 1 on the road against the Purdue Boilermakers.