Penn State's Marcus Allen returning for senior season

Penn State's defense will have its leader back in the fold next season, as tackling machine Marcus Allen announced Sunday that he'll return for his senior campaign.

"After a series of long conversations with my family, as well as those I trust, and long nights on my knees in prayer, I've decided to return to Happy Valley and Penn State nation for my senior season," Allen wrote on Twitter. "The NFL will be there next year and I trust that God will prepare and deliver me wiser, stronger and healthy to meet the challenge."

The 6-foot-2, 202-pound safety led the Nittany Lions with 110 total tackles on the season, including six for loss. He also chipped in with three pass defenses and two recovered fumbles this season.

Allen's return is huge for a Penn State team that will likely be ranked in the top five to start the 2017 season.