Penn State Defender no Longer With Team

Beamon, a 6-foot-3, 296-pounder from Midlothian, Virginia, came to Penn State ahead of the 2019 season.

He redshirted his first season and then got a decent chunk of playing time in his second, playing in eight of Penn State’s nine games in the abbreviated “COVID year.” Beamon didn’t play at all the next season for undisclosed reasons but became a regular starter in 2022, starting 12 of 13 games. The next season, Beamon started just six of the 13.

A DECRASE IN PLAYING TIME

Penn State’s Hakeem Beamon.

The circumstances of Beamon’s departure are unknown and might not ever be made public but what’s undeniable is his decrease in playing time. Despite only starting half the games in 2023 that he did the previous season, Beamon finished the year with a solid amount of snaps at 339. He was on pace to finish well below that this season. Although Beamon played in each of Penn State’s first eight games, he only totaled 107 snaps. He played 23 against West Virginia in Week 1 and only hit 20 one other time, against UCLA Oct. 5.

Despite Beamon being among Penn State’s most experienced players, four defensive tackles had played more snaps at the time of his departure.

HOW THIS IMPACTS PENN STATE

Zane Durant celebrates a second half tackle for loss.

Although Beamon not finishing out his Penn State career at the end of this season is unfortunate for all parties, Penn State should be OK at defensive tackle. Led by Zane Durant, who has become one of the best in the country at his position, Penn State has an experienced group that, despite initial depth concerns from coach James Franklin, has played well in 2024.

Sixth-year senior Dvon J-Thomas and fifth year senior Coziah Izzard have played a lot of college football. Fellow veteran Alonzo Ford has proven to be reliable as well.

Penn State takes on Washington at 8 on Peacock Saturday.