Despite a revolving door at defensive coordinator, Penn State has consistently produced top-10 caliber defenses under head coach James Franklin.
That should continue into 2025, as the Nittany Lions retain a bulk of their production from a season ago and add defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Ohio State, renowned as one of the top minds in the sport.
Here’s a look at Penn State’s defense heading into the season.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Zane Durant returns after a breakout campaign in 2024, looking to anchor the Nittany Lions’ defensive line and potentially expand his role.
“Jim (Knowles) man, that’s my dog,” Durant said on Aug. 12. “Man, he allowed me to play free, try different things in practice … things I never tried in the past, and try to help take my game to another level. So I really appreciate him for that. He’s just trying to help me develop as an overall football player.”
Next to him, Alonzo Ford Jr. has emerged as the favorite to land the second starting spot. Ford, an Old Dominion transfer, has dealt with multiple injuries since arriving on campus in 2023 but has impressed throughout the offseason.
“I’m just getting back and running, getting back to lifting heavy weights and everything like that, just walking into it, physically, mentally, and just doing it,” Ford said.
Behind them, Michigan transfer Owen Wafle, redshirt freshman Xavier Gilliam and Texas A&M transfer Enai White, who recently transitioned from defensive end, are expected to factor in this season.
DEFENSIVE END
With Abdul Carter off to the NFL, Dani Dennis-Sutton is set to become Penn State’s next premier pass-rusher. The former 5-star recruit flashed last season with 8.5 sacks and will look to continue that success this season in his second year starting.
Opposite him, signs point to Zuriah Fisher landing the other starting spot coming off a long-term injury that sidelined him for the entirety of last season. In his sixth year, Fisher brings plenty of experience despite limited game action.
Max Granville’s long-term injury dilutes Penn State’s depth slightly, but redshirt freshman Jaylen Harvey and true freshmen Yvan Kemajou and Chaz Coleman have earned praise this offseason. All should see ample playing time throughout the year.
LINEBACKER
The Nittany Lions’ proven commodities include redshirt senior Dom DeLuca, a former walk-on and special teams standout who carved out a major role last season, and junior Tony Rojas, a highly regarded recruit who flashed at times last season but was limited by an injury.
DeLuca was strong in run defense and also posted three interceptions — including two against SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Rojas showcased elite speed, and was tracked hitting 22.5 miles per hour this offseason while returning to full health.
However, North Carolina transfer Amare Campbell has made a strong impression on position coach Dan Connor and will push for a starting role.
“I mean, he’s a vet. He’s done it, he’s done it at a high level, and he comes in here, but he’s still humble, he’s still hungry,” Connor said. “He doesn’t have any hot shot arrogant mentality. I mean, he’s a worker, and that fits.”
Penn State will continue to run a 4-2-5 base defense under Knowles, with Campbell and DeLuca vying for the Mike and Rojas likely manning the Will role.
Ta’Mere Robinson was expected to factor in on the two-deep before transferring to USC, but sophomore Anthony Speca, redshirt junior Keon Wylie and freshman LaVar Arrington II add solid depth.
CORNERBACK
The return of A.J. Harris gives Penn State a lockdown cornerback on one side of the field, while a battle rages for the other outside corner role. Audavion Collins and Elliot Washington II continue to be neck-and-neck throughout fall camp, and they may trade off playing time throughout the first few weeks until one player pulls away.
Elsewhere, Zion Tracy is likely to return to the nickel role after playing there last season. He was injured during spring practices but has returned to the lineup for the fall.
Kenny Woseley Jr. saw time at nickel throughout the spring and could be on the two-deep this season. Freshman Daryus Dixson has also earned praise from coaches and teammates since arriving on campus and could be a name to watch.
SAFETY
Kevin Winston Jr. and Jaylen Reed are off to the NFL, leaving Zakee Wheatley as the veteran of the room. He’s made significant strides as a vocal leader in the room and was one of the team’s best tacklers last season.
Safeties coach Anthony Poindexter said the battle for the second starter is still underway, with sophomore Dejuan Lane and junior King Mack — who began his career at Penn State before spending a season at Alabama — as leading contenders. In recent weeks, redshirt freshman Antoine Belgrave-Shorter has also worked his way into that conversation.
“I think they all will play. Who starts will be the thing, but I think they’ve all shown the ability to make plays,” Poindexter said last Tuesday. “I think we can have a rotation, but who will walk on the grass first has yet to be determined.”
Redshirt freshman Vaboue Toure and redshirt junior Kolin Dinkins add depth for the Nittany Lions and should see notable playing time this season in rotational roles.
