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Penn State seeks breakout stars at safety position this fall

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 24, 2026, 1:03 PM

Last updated Jul 24, 2026

Penn State seeks breakout stars at safety position this fall

Summary

As the 2026 college football season approaches, Penn State's defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn is expected to integrate three Iowa State transfers at safety. Marcus Neal, Jeremiah Cooper, and Jamison Patton aim to contribute to the Nittany Lions' defensive strategies. Vaboue Toure is positioned to take on a larger role after appearing in 11 games last season, while Omarion Davis, a transfer from Boston College, is anticipated to be a rotational player. Toure's development is critical as he could vie for a starting spot in 2027 if he performs well this year.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Marcus Neal, Jeremiah Cooper, and Jamison Patton transferred from Iowa State.
•Vaboue Toure enters his third year with potential for a larger role.
•Omarion Davis aims to establish himself in a rotational capacity.
•Toure recorded a sack and seven tackles in the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl.
•Penn State lacks upperclassman safety depth heading into 2027.

Latest Updates

1:03 PMYahoo Sports — Penn State 2026 Breakout Candidates: Safety

What they're saying

"
Three Iowa State transfers have already shown they have what it takes to play safety at the FBS level. Marcus Neal, Jeremiah Cooper, and Jamison Patton will all fit in defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn’s plans for the Nittany Lions’ defensive scheme this fall, but who will emerge as the next breakout star in the secondary? […]
— Yahoo Sports

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