Many Penn State safeties learning on the job, but it’s a deep group

James Franklin believes Penn State’s depth better resembles the successful Nittany Lions teams before they posted an 11-11 record over the last two seasons.

The safety position is no exception.

“I think we’re getting back to that type of depth, which does two things,” Franklin said. “It allows you to have a rotation of getting guys on the field, keeping guys fresh, those types of things. But it also creates pressure on guys. When you know you have a legitimate guy behind you that is pushing for your job every single day, that brings out the best in you.”

Fifth-year senior and first-year captain Ji’Ayir Brown is as close as it gets to carving a starting role in stone. He was half of an impressive secondary duo last year alongside NFL second-round draft pick Jaquon Brisker.

Junior Keaton Ellis, sophomore Jaylen Reed, and redshirt freshman Zakee Wheatley are the top contenders to replace Brisker. Freshman KJ Winston has also had his name thrown into the mix as a depth piece.

“They all have a lot of different traits and similar traits, too,” Brown said. “Those guys are all still learning from each other and still getting their feet comfortable at the safety position. It’s a tough battle because it’s going to come down to whoever [the] coach wants to go with. They’re all playing great right now. They all know the plays. They’re all comfortable and ready to go.”

Ellis is the most experienced option heading into his fourth season. However, his Penn State career has gone through its share of ups and downs. Between 2019 and 2020, he played in 19 games, making six starts at cornerback. Last year, he appeared in 11 games, making one start at safety.

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Reed was tabbed as the 13th-best safety in the 2021 class out of Martin Luther King High School in Detroit. He saw action in eight games last year, becoming one of 10 first-year freshmen to play. Reed recorded six tackles and one quarterback hurry.

The talk of spring and fall camps among the safeties has been Wheatley. He moved from cornerback in the spring and was anointed the defense’s “Takeover King” twice. He took a redshirt season last year after appearing in four games — the maximum to redshirt.

Quarterback Sean Clifford noted that the Maryland native made “very impressive” interceptions in practice.

“I’m excited to see what’s in store for us because they put in the work and they’re talented,” said captain defensive tackle P.J. Mustipher. “They’ve got a room full of depth so I know they’re going to be ready to rock and roll.”

Among that depth is Winston, a freshman and the tallest safety in the room, standing at 6-foot-2.

He has turned some heads despite not being in immediate competition for the starting spot.

“This guy came in and just wanted to learn,” Brown said. “He’s asking me questions, he wanted to compete with me in the sprints, he wanted to push himself to the limit and be tested. Stuff like that you can’t coach out of a guy. His ‘want to’ is extremely high.”

For Brown, Winston’s intangibles and playmaking ability jumped off the page. He pegged the freshman as a guy who could very likely see the field this year.

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“From [Reed, Wheatley and Ellis], those three really popped out to me,” said Clifford. “I think the young [guy] KJ Winston, he’s another really good player. And then even [Sebastian] Costantini. The room just has depth and it’s pushing each other really hard. I’m excited to see how it plays out.”

The safety competition is expected to stretch throughout the season, with Ellis as the potential starter for the opener against Purdue based on seniority.

“In a perfect world, you basically have two starters and two backups,” Franklin said, “that you feel like you can play with and win with and there’s not a drop-off to a four.”