Had things played out just a little differently, Zion Tracy would be responsible for one of the more iconic plays in Penn State history.
With Penn State leading hated Ohio State 3-0 in a top-five matchup at Beaver Stadium, Tracy stepped in front of Jeremiah Smith to pick-off Will Howard’s pass and return it 33 yards to the house.
This put PSU ahead by two scores and turned the stadium into a madhouse.
But it didn’t last.
As Penn State fans have grown as used to as they are the sun rising in the east, Ohio State came back and pulled out a close win, 20-13.
So rightly or wrongly, Tracy’s great play is merely a footnote to those who remember it at all, through no fault of his own.
But Tracy’s physical and mental skills were on display, and that matter, especially since he’s back for another shot at the Buckeyes.
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 178 pounds
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Hometown: Hempstead, New York
Before Penn State: Tracy came 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.
2023: Tracy burned his redshirt, appearing in all 13 games, primarily on special teams. He ended the season with 13 tackles (11 solo), and was named the special teams player of the week after stopping a fake punt against Northwestern Sept. 30, which was the signature play of his freshman season.
Last year: Tracy appeared in all 16 of Penn State’s games, starting four and establishing himself as Penn State’s top slot corner. He ended the year with 35 tackles (30 solo), a sack, two tackles for loss and two picks, the other one talking place in the team’s Fiesta Bowl/College Football Playoff quarterfinal win over Boise State.
Where he stands: As far as Tracy’s position is concerned, nothing much has changed. Penn State returns its top corner in A.J. Harris, and one of winter workout hero Elliot Washington or veteran Audavion Collins is likely to start on the opposite side. There’s no reason to think a healthy Tracy would lose his spot in the slot. There’s question is: how much better will he be?
A quote by Tracy: “Wisconsin, the game before (Ohio State) it was kind of like the same play, but I didn’t get my eyes back. So he still caught the ball. But this time I was like, I’m gonna get my eyes back, and I grabbed the ball.”
“It didn’t feel like I was really there. “I was just running.” — Tracy on his pick six against Ohio State.
A quote about Tracy: “I think the biggest thing over the last couple weeks is confidence. You’ve seen it on defense. I think it’s also translated to him as a punt returner. I saw him more confident on Saturday. Practicing really well right now. Always been a super athletic guy, a guy that we considered when we recruited him playing wideout. So, he’s got those types of ball skills. But I think you’ll continue to see him trending in the right direction, just practicing and playing at a really high level right now with a ton of confidence.” — James Franklin
