Bulked-up Farmer feeling right at home

Koa Farmer’s offseason transformation can be traced back to a diet including plenty of rice and sushi -- two of his favorite staples from his Polynesian heritage.

The California native filled somewhat of a utility role for Penn State a year ago, starting the season as a safety before a wave of injuries forced him to move to linebacker, where he's acclimated and will remain in 2017. He accumulated 29 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks and a forced fumble, but still wanted to take strides at the position heading into his redshirt junior season at Penn State.

Over the winter, Farmer set his sights on adding weight, hoping to continue to change the body of a defensive back into that of a linebacker by the onset of camp.

“I’m like 235 right now. I fluctuate between 237 and 235. I kept my same speed -- blessed to keep that same speed... I think I naturally put it on and I think my dad’s genetics kicked in,” he said, laughing.

As Farmer looks ahead to this season, the idea of stability brings him confidence.

Though he'd been there before, Farmer only entered the linebackers' room following the Temple game in week three last season, giving him very little time to get acclimated to his new role in Penn State’s defensive scheme.

“I think I’m more comfortable,” Farmer said. “I’m not switching back and forth. I’m able to master one position and get comfortable with that position, and at this point, I’m just having fun and being more competitive and working on my own craft.”

To earn that comfort, Farmer approached the offseason like the veteran he now is, entering his fourth season in the program.

Given a window of more than six months to complete the positional transition, Farmer wasn’t about to let an opportunity go by the wayside because he didn’t put the work in.

“I think I’m taking more of a professional approach,” he said. “Like, I’m really watching film. I’m really understanding why we run these coverages. I’m more comfortable in the box. That was a big thing.”

In a linebacker corps that is still considerably thin on extensive experience beyond that of Jason Cabinda following the graduation of Brandon Bell, among others, Farmer is poised to garner significant playing time.

Taking reps with the first team defense in practice, he said he expects to have a bigger part to play in 2017.

“I just think I just matured,” Farmer said. “Coach Franklin’s big on maturity and all the position coaches are big on maturity. I think I took my game to the next level.”

More than anything else, though, he’s just excited to get back on the field.

After the performances of Sam Darnold and the rest of the Southern Cal offense in the Rose Bowl, Farmer and many other defensive players are eager to erase the bad taste left in their mouths.

“I literally can’t wait for the first game,” Farmer said. “I mean, we’re working as a time right now, but I come on blitzes at practice and have a chance to hit the quarterbacks and stuff like that. I’m just like, ‘Man, I need to hit something.’ But yeah, I can’t wait. I’m so excited. I literally can’t wait to get into Beaver Stadium with all you guys. It’s going to be a good time, a good season.”