Penn State's Defense Goes Big During Watch List Season

Three Lions make the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, signaling a potentially dominant year in 2023.

How good could Penn State's defense be this season? Three Nittany Lions are on the preseason Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, one from each level of the defense, signaling that this could be coach James Franklin's most dominant defense yet.

Defensive end Chop Robinson, linebacker Abdul Carter and cornerback Kalen King are among the 94 players nominated for the Nagurski Trophy, which recognizes the nation's top defensive player. Penn State joins Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, Alabama and Clemson with three nominees each.

Robinson was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection last season despite starting just one game. He tied for seventh in the conference with 5.5 sacks and was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded edge rusher in 2022.

Carter, who started six games as a freshman, led the Lions with 6.5 sacks. He made several freshman All-America teams and was a finalist for the Maxwell Football Club's freshman of the year award. He had one of the best defensive seasons ever for a Penn State freshman, becoming just the second to record 10+ tackles sacks and 6+ sacks in a season. The first was Deion Barnes, now Penn State's defensive line coach, who was the Big Ten freshman of the year in 2012. He also was the first Penn State linebacker with 10+ tackles for loss and 6+ sacks since Dan Connor in 2007. Connor now works as a defensive analyst for the Lions.

King, a junior who has started 14 games, is one of the nation's top-ranked cornerbacks returning. He made several All-America teams, being named to the Walter Camp Football Foundation's second team. King led the Big Ten in both passes defended (21) and pass breakups (18), ranking third nationally in both categories.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club, will announce five finalists in November.

Other preseason award nominees for Penn State:

Maxwell Award (top player): Running back Nicholas Singleton

Outland Trophy (top lineman): Tackle Olu Fashanu

Lott IMPACT Award: Linebacker Abdul Carter, cornerback Kalen King

Allstate Good Works Team: Defensive tackle DVon Ellies

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.