Penn State Football’s Dan Chisena, Marcus Allen Trying New Positions In NFL
Two former Penn State football players are trying out new positions in the NFL.
Former Nittany Lion wide receiver Dan Chisena is making the switch to safety with the Vikings, the team announced via Twitter Sunday afternoon.
The speedy Chisena is now wearing No. 39, which is a more traditional number for a defensive back.
Chisena had an eventful career during his time in Happy Valley. After redshirting his freshman season on James Franklin’s squad, he ran on the Penn State track team from 2016 to 2018. He returned to the football team for his junior season and was put on full scholarship during the 2019 Blue-White game. He mainly contributed on special teams for the Nittany Lions, totaling four tackles in five games last season.
His switch to safety has a lot to do with his special teams prowess. Chisena’s agent, Joe Linta, mentioned the former wideout’s special teams ability as a reason for the switch, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Chisena’s switch to safety will presumably increase his chances of making Minnesota’s 53-man roster, as he can serve as a special teams piece as well as a backup safety.
Marcus Allen, on the other hand, has been getting reps at inside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was seen in practice doing drills with the inside linebacker group.
He is still officially listed as a safety on the Steelers’ roster, but according to inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky, Allen has no problem playing linebacker.
“Marcus [Allen] likes hitting people,” Olsavsky said. “So playing linebacker is no problem for him.”
Allen spent his first two seasons in the NFL as a strong safety and totaled just two tackles in three games. With the Steelers thin at inside linebacker, Allen’s versatility could open up more playing time for him this upcoming season.
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