Penn State is going to look a lot different in 2019. With over a dozen players entering the transfer portal and another half dozen declaring for the NFL Draft, it’s hard not to see changes coming.

This fall, the Nittany Lions may be a more defense-oriented team. A program that has been so dominant on offense in recent years may lean heavily on the other side of the football for wins. It’s a task that Cam Brown thinks the unit is able to tackle.

During B1G Media Days on Friday, the senior linebacker talked about Penn State’s defense. It made it clear that expectations are extremely high considering the amount of talent returning.

“I think this could be the best defense since I’ve been here,” Brown said. “Our defense has a lot of experience and we’ll be more consistent. I feel like we’re a lot faster. We have guys who can move.”

Brown wasn’t the only one expecting big things from the defense this year.

Cornerback John Reid also praised the defense for its unmatched speed and talent returning. It’s the combination of speed, experience and aggressiveness that has Reid fired up about the start of the season.

“We have speed everywhere, at every position,” Reid said. “We have defensive ends running 4.3s and 4.4s, which is a bit crazy. Our linebackers are really fast. We have a tenacious group, a ton of experience.”

Penn State ranked fourth in the B1G in scoring defense last season (20.5 points) and fifth in yards allowed (350.5 yards). James Franklin thinks the defensive line could be one of the best he’s coached at Penn State, furthering the hype entering the season.

Yes, the Nittany Lions have been primarily praised for the high offensive production. But defense is going to be at the forefront in 2019. Brown and Reid believe this team is capable of delivering on expectations.