Ole Miss Peach Bowl Preview: Penn State Defensive Playmakers

The Ole Miss Rebels are preparing to face a multitude of defensive playmakers from the Penn State Nittany Lions.

The No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels and No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions are preparing for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and part of that preparation involves scouting.

The Rebels and Nittany Lions have never faced one another on the gridiron, so many Ole Miss fans may be unfamiliar with the Penn State program under James Franklin. It never hurts to familiarize yourself with the next opponent on the schedule, so why not start now?

That's where The Grove Report comes in. We have taken a look at the Nittany Lions' individual position groups, and this week, we look at the team as a whole. This is a New Year's Six bowl game after all, so the stakes are rather high.

We have taken an overarching look at Penn State's season as well as its offensive playmakers. Today, we focus on defense.

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EDGE Adisa Isaac

High School: Canarsie (New York)

Height: 6-4

Weight: 249

2023 Stats: 35 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and one forced fumble

Isaac, a former four-star recruit, led Penn State in sacks (7.5) and TFLs (15) this season. The senior played his best game of the season in October versus the Massachusetts Minutemen, when he recorded 3.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks. Paired on the edge with Isaac is sophomore phenom Abdul Carter, who was named to preseason watch lists for the Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, and Lombardi Award. 

LB Curtis Jacobs

High School: McDonogh School (Maryland)

Height: 6-1

Weight: 235

2023 Stats: 47 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries 

Jacobs finished third on the Nittany Lions in total tackles (47) and second in TFLs (eight) this season, and will be the thumper on Penn State's defense primarily focused on stopping Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins. 

Ole Miss Peach Bowl Preview: Penn State Offensive Playmakers

S Kevin Winston Jr.

High School: DeMatha Catholic (Maryland)

Height: 6-2

Weight: 203

2023 Stats: 51 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries

Winston, a former-four star recruit, was the second-leading tackler on Penn State's defense with 51 total wrap-ups after appearing in all 12 regular season matchups this season.