Replacing Abdul Carter is impossible. You cannot ask another human being to be 6’4”, 250 lbs, and run a 4.45.
So, Defensive Coordinator Tyson Veidt isn’t trying to replace the player. He is changing the geometry of the defense.
The Shift: 4-3 to 4-2-5
Traditionally, Penn State has been a “Linebacker U” 4-3 base team (4 Linemen, 3 Linebackers). In 2026, the base defense is officially the 4-2-5.
- 4 Linemen: Same as before.
- 2 Linebackers: Only two “true” LBs (Tony Rojas + Kobe King) are on the field.
- 5 Defensive Backs: The “Star” (Nickel) becomes a starter.
Why the Change?
- Speed over Size: Modern offenses spread the field. Having a third linebacker (typically 235+ lbs) trying to cover a slot receiver is a mismatch. A specialized Nickel (like Zion Tracy) is a better matchup.
- Simulated Pressure: Veidt loves the “Creeper” pressure. He rushes 4, but you don’t know which 4. He might drop a defensive end into coverage and blitz the Nickel corner.
The “Star”: The Most Important Position
In this scheme, the Star (Zion Tracy) is the MVP.
- vs Run: He must be the “Force” player, turning runs back inside to the help.
- vs Pass: He must lock down the opponent’s slot receiver (often their best player).
“If your Star can’t tackle, you lose. It’s that simple.” — Tyson Veidt
The “Leo” Edge
With Carter gone, the “Leo” (Weakside End) role falls to Max Granville. Unlike Carter, who often stood up, Granville will play with his hand in the dirt.
- Objective: Get upfield.
- Technique: “Wide-9” alignment (lined up way outside the tackle) to force the QB to step up into the waiting arms of the defensive tackles (Dallas Vakalahi).
Verdict
This defense will look smaller, but it will play faster. In 2025, Penn State often got “out-leveraged” on screen passes. The 4-2-5 is designed specifically to kill the screen game. It is a risk against power-running teams (like Michigan), but in a league increasingly dominated by passing, it is the necessary evolution.