Two games into the 2024 season, defensive end Abdul Carter had eight solo tackles and one tackle for loss at his new position.

Carter only recorded one tackle in the season opener but was called twice for offsides. The edge followed up his position debut with seven tackles and a tackle for loss in the game against Bowling Green but was still without a sack.

On the second play of Saturday’s 56-0 win over Kent State, fellow defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton broke through the Golden Flashes’ offensive line and forced a fumble while recording his first sack of the year. The defensive front seven continued to limit the Kent State offense, and early in the second quarter, Carter finally got through to the quarterback.

Despite the slow start at the new position, Carter said he was never worried and knew eventually the plays would come his way. James Franklin also said the coaching staff was never concerned with Carter nor Dennis-Sutton, as both players were creating pressure and being disruptive, something that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet.

“Obviously, it’s good when it starts happening and we would love more of it, but there’s a lot more that goes into it than just beating your man,” Franklin said.

Franklin also noted the list goes beyond just Carter and Dennis-Sutton, as Zane Durant has been extremely effective on the line with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss through the first three contests.

“Zane Durant has been as impactful on the quarterback as anybody,” Franklin said. “If you’re looking strictly at the stat sheet, you wouldn’t know that. But real football people, they know that.”

Behind the flashy defensive line is a group of linebackers where Franklin is trying to create depth. During the blowout over Kent State on Saturday, the Nittany Lions got to show off the rest of the depth chart after going to the reserves for the fourth quarter.

True freshman linebacker Anthony Speca led the team in tackles with five, while redshirt freshman Ta’Mere Robinson finished with three. DaKaari Nelson also saw playing time at the linebacker position and earned praise from Franklin at his Monday press conference after being named the team’s special teams player of the week.

“Nelson was a move [where] we weren’t sure how it was going to go. There’s a big difference between playing defensive back and playing linebacker,” Franklin said. “He’s been a really pleasant surprise. He’s growing into the linebacker position and he’s been a real positive for us.”

Robinson finished the game with three total tackles in his first game back after missing the Bowling Green matchup with an injury. While he was third on the team in tackles on a day when a lot of players got reps, Franklin said Robinson needs to continue to build on his success and increase his reps.

“I think it’s going to be really important for us to continue in his durability and his ability to get in the game and play well,” Franklin said. “He’s super talented. He just needs reps and time from a development standpoint.”

Franklin raised concerns about the depth of the linebacker room in the week leading up to Bowling Green but got younger players more game experience during the win over the Golden Flashes. With no update on Dom DeLuca after he left Saturday’s game at Franklin’s Monday press conference, the depth may be tested quickly.

“There are some answers there,” Franklin said. “But we need to continue to develop guys and continue to develop depth.”