5. Defensive Tackle
Zane Durant is a human wrecking-ball who will be among the best — perhaps the best defensive tackle in the nation. Durant is a disruptive force who can clog up the middle, but also force his way into the backfield to get the offense behind the chains. However, there are many questions marks behind Durant and it will be crucial for several young Nittany Lions to take a big leap in 2025. Alonzo Ford Jr. is the most established, but he is coming off a season-ending injury and may not be ready to hit
the field in week one. Xavier Gilliam and Liam Andrews will both need to be ready to produce as redshirt freshman. Fortunately, Gilliam has received some buzz and it sounds as though he may be ready for a breakout year. Ty Blanding, a redshirt sophomore who has spent time bulking up, will be in the mix as well.
4. Defensive End
Expectations are sky-high for Dani Dennis-Sutton after eschewing the NFL Draft for another run with the Nittany Lions. Dennis-Sutton played through the pain of a nagging injury and faced limited snaps in the middle of the regular season. However, he caught fire and was nearly unblockable when fully healthy down the stretch run. While Dennis-Sutton could prove to be the nation’s best defensive end, there are many question marks behind him. Zuriah Fisher has proven to be a disruptive force, but will need to stay healthy after being limited the past two seasons. Texas A&M transfer Enai White is a former five-star prospect who needs to show he can translate his ability into production in his third year out of high school. Jaylen Harvey, Mylachi Williams and Mason Robinson will also be looking to carve out a role in their redshirt freshman season, especially following Max Granville’s unfortunate injury that will likely keep him out of action in 2025. True freshman Chaz Coleman could be the wildcard of the group - while he will need time to become a complete defensive end, his off-the-charts athleticism could prove too intriguing to get him on the field as a pass rush specialist on obvious passing downs.
3. Linebacker
This is the only position heading into the season without an All-American candidate (although feel free to prove me wrong, Tony Rojas). I do think we see a much improved version of Rojas after he was hindered by injuries that he played through for much of 2024. The missed tackles should be a thing of the past if he stays healthy, especially considering how few tackles are missed under Knowles at his previous stops. Dom DeLuca has earned his way to a full-time starting role after working his way up from a walk-on in 2021. DeLuca has an outstanding nose for the ball, and seems to always be in position to make a play. Penn State will welcome Amare Campbell from UNC as one of the top linebackers to come out of the transfer portal. Campbell’s addition probably didn’t get as much attention as some of the additions at wide receiver, but he will prove to be an extremely valuable member of the defense. He is coming off a standout season, contributing 76 tackles, 11 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble for the Tar Heels. Keon Wylie returns from injury that cost his all of 2024, and should be ready to be a steady contributor in his fourth season with the Nittany Lions. The staff has also been high on Anthony Specca, a redshirt freshman who can earn his keep if he proves he’s ready to take control of the middle of the defense.
2. Safeties
Zakee Wheatley is the clear leader of the room after forgoing the draft for one more run with the Nittany Lions. Wheatley showed the most improvement during the course of the 2024 season, and was phenomenal during Penn State’s stretch run, finishing with 16 tackles, an interception and a sack against Notre Dame. Dejuan Lane gained valuable experience as a true freshman in 2024, and will now be competing for a starting spot opposite Wheatley. King Mack, a highly-touted commitment from the 2023 class, is back with the Nittany Lions after a year at Alabama. Regardless of who wins the starting spot, both will see plenty of action this fall and should be reliable options with great potential to develop with more experience. Vaboue Toure has received extensive praise from Jim Knowles since he joined the staff, and seems to have the playmaking ability that will earn him playing time this fall.
1. Cornerbacks
It all starts with A.J. Harris, a junior with legit All-American hype who could be the first member of Penn State’s secondary to be a first round draft pick. Harris was impressive in his first season with the Nittany Lions after transferring from Georgia, where he played as a true freshman in 2023. Harris will be tasked with shutting down the opponent’s best wide out, something he found success doing in 2024 when he racked up 56 tackles, 4 TFLs, with an interception and five pass breakups. Audavion Collins, another transfer who came from SEC country in ‘24, returns after a promising season where he proved more than capable. Junior Elliot Washington had the buzziest offseason of any Penn State defender, receiving constant praise for his work ethic and progress from last season. Washington is expected to take a big leap and could be yet another standout at cornerback. Zion Tracy is also back after being a pleasant surprise in 2024, where he regularly proved he can be trusted in man coverage, while also displaying serious abilities as a playmaker.
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