Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley shows growth, speed ahead of trip to Southern Cal

In a perfect world, USC’s offense would have to worry about Penn safety Kevin Winston Jr. in Saturday afternoon’s Big Ten showdown at the LA Memorial Coliseum.

But Winston, a top NFL prospect, is dealing with a significant injury and is out indefinitely.

In his absence, fourth-year safety Zakee Wheatley has emerged as a key player in the Lions’ defense. Wheatley had a career-high seven tackles in No. 4 Penn State’s 27-11 victory over UCLA last Saturday in State College.

He also produced one of the game’s biggest plays. Wheatley stopped Bruins running back T.J. Harden for a 1-yard loss on a fourth-and-1 play from the PSU 23 midway through the first quarter and the game still scoreless.

“I think he’s playing really well,” Penn State coach James Franklin said Monday when asked about Wheatley. “I thought last week he was flashing and playing fast and playing physical.”

When the Lions use three safeties, expect to see Jaylen Reed, Wheatley and true freshman Dejuan Lane against USC (3-2).

Franklin said some of Wheatley’s teammates have factored in his development.

“I think you guys also know, I talk a lot about team defense,” Franklin said. “A lot of times, this guy gets a sack because this other, you know, defense alignment penetrated and made it very difficult for them to pass it off.

“It’s the same way with safety sometimes, (with) tackling. It’s a corner setting the edge on a screen where the lineman is coming to block them, and rather than running around the block. A lot of times, running around the block is the same as getting blocked, you’re still creating space, and the corner being able to set the edge, and the defensive end pursuing and the linebacker pursuing allows the safety to play fast and confident.

“Because they’re able to run an alley where the ball is going to hit, not having to make an open-field tackle, which is very different in terms of how you approach it.”

Wheatley is tied for second on the Lions in tackles with 23. He has 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception and two pass breakups.

“I think Zakee continues to play faster, continues to play more aggressive and more confident,” Franklin said. “Again, I think the other 10 guys in the defense doing their job allows individuals to shine.”