Interesting response, Eric. A 7 or an 8 is fair. The addition of a big name like Knowles to replace Tom Allen, at a price of more than $3 million per season, speaks to Penn State’s commitment. Regarding Penn State’s Anthony Poindexter and Dan Connor, I don’t see them as being similar to Knowles, at least not yet.

Knowles will make Penn State's defense one of the best in the country, but his addition might help the offense too.

Former Ohio State defensive coordinator said in an address to Penn State players that the Nittany Lions were 'everything' to him growing up