Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant and cornerback A.J. Harris enter the 2025 season with lofty expectations.
Two players with high talent and upside that could become high picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, they’re receiving significant attention nationally.
On Tuesday, Durant and Harris were named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.
The award honors the Best Defensive Player in College Football.
Durant started all 16 games and earned All-Big Ten honorable mention honors. He finished last season with 42 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and three sacks.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.He was internally named PSU’s Defensive Player of the Game against Bowling Green, Illinois, and Minnesota.
In his first season at Penn State, Harris started all but one of 16 games with 48 tackles, four tackles for loss, one pick, and five pass breakups.
Harris transferred from Georgia following his freshman year and immediately made an impact on Penn State’s defense. Harris earned an All-Big Ten third team selection after becoming Penn State’s best cover corner.
60 players were selected to the watch list. Four finalists will be named by the FWAA and Charlotte Touchdown Club in mid-to-late November. The winner will be announced on Dec. 8 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
