James Franklin said Monday that his 2021 Penn State football team is the biggest squad he’s had during his eight seasons in State College.

A quick check of Penn State’s updated roster indicates that, indeed, there are some large athletes at just about every position.

“From a physical standpoint, this is the biggest team that we have had,” Franklin said during his news conference to kick off the start of 2021 spring practice. Penn State is coming off a 4-5 season.

“We’re four pounds heavier than both the 2016 team and the 2020 team.”

A couple of players stand out when it comes to size gains.

Fourth-year defensive tackle PJ Mustipher, a returning starter, is now listed at 6-foot-4, 326 pounds. His listed 2020 weight was 300.

Fourth-year linebacker Jesse Luketa, another returning starter, now goes 6-3, 255. Luketa was listed at 242 a year ago.

And second-year back Keyvone Lee, the Lions’ leading rusher last season, has added eight pounds to his frame. Lee is listed at 6-0, 238.

Third-year defensive tackle Dvon Ellies is up to 305. The 6-1 Ellies played at 296 a year ago.

Even wideout Parker Washington has added some pounds. Washington, who caught 36 passes for 489 yards and six scores last year, is listed at 5-10, 210 after playing at 205 in 2020.

It should be noted that there are some Penn State players who have shed some weight, too.

Senior safety Jaquan Brisker, a starter who was third on the team in tackles (57), has dropped nine pounds. His listed weight in 2020 was 212. The 6-1 Brisker is now listed at 203.

Third-year defensive end Adisa Isaac, a likely starter this year, has dropped seven pounds. The 6-4 Isaac is listed at 244 after playing at 251 last season.

Third-year defensive tackle Hakeem Beamon, who could push to start this year, is 29 pounds lighter. The 6-3 Beamon, listed at 298 last year, is currently at 269.

Penn State has added a pair of defensive linemen from the transfer portal and both could play big roles in the fall.

Tackle Derrick Tangelo, who played for Duke last fall, is listed at 6-2, 306 and end Arnold Ebiketie, a Temple transfer, is listed at 6-3, 244. Ebiketie will wear No. 17.

And here are a couple of midstate weights of note: Susquehanna Twp. grad Fatorma Mulbah, a defensive lineman now in his second year, is listed at 6-3, 300.

January enrollee Nate Bruce, an offensive lineman from Harrisburg, has checked in at 6-4, 351.

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