COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 03: A Big 10 yard maker is shown during the second half of the Michigan Wolverines and Maryland Terrapins game at Byrd Stadium on October 3, 2015 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

College Football Playoff contender receives promising return news of top defender

This can only help as Penn State tries to compete for the playoffs.

Penn State won the Big 10 championship in 2016, and returns several key players to next season's team. The Nittany Lions received more good news when junior safety Marcus Allen announced he is returning for his senior season.

Related: Nation's No. 5 player names his Top 6 despite commitment to Penn State

Allen was Penn State's leading tackler this season, and he was third in the Big 10 with 110 tackles. His most memorable play of the season was when he blocked an Ohio State field goal to help the Nittany Lions defeat the Buckeyes 24-21.

Penn State won its first Big 10 title since 2008, and the Nittany Lions will be a contender for the playoffs against next season.

(h/t College Football Talk)