Penn State continues to stack preseason media recognition as the hype continues to build.
PFF College Football Analyst Max Chadwick unveiled his Top 10 defenses ahead of the season and ranked Penn State No. 5 defense
Chadwick recognized the immense loss of EDGE Abdul Carter, who went third overall in the draft, but feels Dani Dennis-Sutton is equipped to fill those shoes.
After leading all interior defensive lineman with 14 tackles for loss, Zane Durant comes in as PFF’s No. 2 defensive tackle behind Clemson’s Peter Woods.
Chadwick’s overall analysis about the 2025 defense:
“The Nittany Lions may have lost edge defender Abdul Carter, a top-three pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they still have a top-five defensive line in college football. Zane Durant is PFF’s second-ranked defensive tackle, and Dani Dennis-Sutton placed ninth among edge defenders.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Alabama is Chadwick’s top defense entering the season.
Penn State has a new defensive coordinator in Jim Knowles, who comes over from defending national champion Ohio State. Knowles architected a defense that gave up the fewest points per game (12.9) and yards allowed (254.6).
Knowles inherits seven returning starters. Outside of Dennis-Sutton and Durant, cornerback A.J. Harris and safety Zakee Wheatley anchor PFF’s No. 10 secondary.
Harris allowed 0.76 yards per coverage snap according to PFF’s wins above average metric. Wheatley was 10th amongst all FBS safeties with a 87.7 run defense grade.
Penn State opens the season August 30 against Nevada in Beaver Stadium.
