Penn State football redshirt senior linebacker Caleb Bacon has made the position switch to defensive end, per the official roster page.

The move comes weeks after Matt Campbell hinted at a change during media availability.

“We’d be missing the boat not to start him off in fall camp on the edge,” Campbell said on August 7. “I think [Bacon] is kind of one of those multiplicity pieces.”

Multiplicity is something Campbell has preached all offseason, moving players around to maximize talent and get the most out of his roster. Peyton Falzone is a recent example of this, making the change from quarterback to tight end.

Linebacker coach Tyson Vedit has echoed Campbell’s sentiment, mentioning how Bacon’s experience playing in different roles can help him adapt to this defense and use it to his advantage.

“Our mindset is to put the guys in the best position not just for themselves, but for the defense,” Veidt said at media day. “There’s several guys that had not played in this style of defense. Certainly, Caleb’s one of those guys based on what he had played in previously.”

Bacon took most of his reps at linebacker during the spring, prompting the coaching staff to test him out on the edge during fall camp. He has experience playing the position from his time with Iowa State.

Micah Parsons and Abdul Carter also switched from linebacker to defensive end during their time with the Nittany Lions, both moves proving successful. Bacon’s teammate, LaVar Arrington II, also made the change earlier in the year.

“If we need edge rushers, if we need linebackers, I think I’m really just ready for whatever,” Bacon said.

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