Name the position group you’ve been impressed with the most.

Getting defensive about the line when it comes to impressions

This was a question that I could have made a case for a couple different groups, particularly on the defense. The pass defense has not been great, but it's been adequate enough, and that's without safety Kevin Winston Jr. being injured for all of the Big Ten portion of the schedule.

The linebackers have been above average, and young guys like Tony Rojas and Ta'Mere Robinson have ensured that the Lions will be fine again next season at that position.

But if we're talking about the most impressive, my answer is the defensive line. And that's for a few reasons.

Yes, there are still problems on the defensive line. The lack of discipline with jumping offsides has sometimes been alarming this season, and those are the penalties that will drive coaches crazy. They have to clean up pre-snap penalties, on both sides of the ball, if they want any shot at making a possible run in the College Football Playoff.

But the overwhelming majority of their play this season has been positive, led by defensive line coach Deion Barnes, who isn't all that far removed from his playing career for the Nittany Lions.

With the exception of the Ohio State game, which was a debacle for many of the position groups and probably the whole offensive unit, the defensive line hasn't given up a lot to anyone. And they've done it against schools that are traditionally run-heavy offenses.

Abdul Carter is becoming just as big of a star as an edge rusher as he was playing off the ball as an outside linebacker. Did Carter make the move because it would help PSU this season, or to improve his draft stock in a few months? It's hard to say, but the move to put a hand in the dirt is going to make him a lot of money in April. (That's assuming he goes to the NFL, which there's not much reason to believe he wouldn't leave when looking at the draft projections.)

Dani Dennis-Sutton, another defensive end that has been outstanding, has not been 100 percent for the last couple weeks. He played sparingly against both Ohio State and Washington. Amin Vanover has filled in just fine for Sutton, who played on third down against Washington.

On the interior, tackles Dvon J-Thomas and Zane Durant won't ever light up the stat sheet like Carter does, but that's not their job. Sure, they like to get their tackles for loss, but it's more important that the LBs are getting those numbers.

Toss in contributions from Smith Vilbert and Jordan Mayer on the outside, and Alonzo Ford and Coziah Izzard inside, and it's a well-rounded defensive line.

And if you've heard anything about true freshman Max Granville, you know that things probably won't change anytime soon.

Here's some food for thought. How would this defensive line do against Boise State phenom running back Ashton Jeanty? Jeanty is a Heisman candidate and is on pace to rush for over 2,000 yards this season. That's a possibility in December.

Andy Stine covers Penn State football and can be reached at astine@altoonamirror.com.