All 105 is a Nittany Sports Now series profiling each Penn State football. Here’s a profile of true freshman cornerback Zion Tracy.
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 176 pounds
Hometown: Hempstead, New York
Before Penn State: Tracy comes to Penn State after three seasons at Long Island Lutheran High School and a final one at St. Thomas More in Connecticut. In high school, Tracy was a standout on both sides of the ball. He caught 12 touchdown passes his senior season and picked up 500 receiving yards. But Tracy came to Penn State as a defensive back, committing in September and signing in December. Tracy was a three-star according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Where he stands: Tracy is part of a loaded position group. Kalen King is set to fill Joey Porter Jr.’s shoes well as the team’s top corner, and could even be the top corner taken in the 2024 Draft. Johnny Dixon has four seasons of college football experience— two each at South Carolina and Penn State— and started all 13 games last season. The fifth-year senior is expected to again be a big part of coordinator Manny Diaz’s defense in 2023.
Nickelback Daequan Hardy is also entering year five, and should see quite a bit of playing time come September. On the younger side, true freshman Elliot Washington could also see some PT. The four-star signee from Venice High School in Florida arrived in the winter and comes with a solid pedigree, having been part of a state champion in 2021 and a runner-up this past season. Other ‘23 signee, three-star Lamont Payne (Carnegie, Pennsylvania), will be in the mix as well.
Tracy is talented, but the combination of his youth and the talent in Penn State’s CB room could make it difficult for him to get much playing time right away.
A quote by Tracy: “He’s so straightforward and honest. Down-to-earth, no matter what. He’s going to be honest with you, and I respect that as a man.” Tracy to NSN on Penn State CB coach Terry Smith after his commitment
A quote about Tracy: “This is going to be an awesome journey for you. This is going to be an awesome journey for you.” — James Franklin to Tracy on his Signing Day
