Penn State enters the 2025 season with a veteran nucleus that’s having its “last dance.”
I examine the current state of the position group and identify who looks like who’s next, who needs to step up, along with who is in the pipeline in recruiting, and attempt to forecast the potential usage of the transfer portal.
In the first part of the series, the quarterback room was examined. You can read it HERE.
In the second part of the series, the running back room was examined. You can read it HERE.
In the third part of the series, the EDGE room was examined. You can read it HERE.
In the penultimate part of the series, the examination of the next defensive tackles after Zane Durant.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 16: Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr. (50) rushes into the backfield during the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Penn State Nittany Lions on November 16, 2024, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire)
Current Starters: Zane Durant and Alonzo Ford
Durant is seen as either the best interior lineman in the country or No. 2 behind Clemson’s Peter Woods.
What Durant has to prove this season is complete a resume that is a a NFL franchise cornerstone piece.
Last season, Durant led all interior defensive linemen with 14 tackles for loss or no gain.
To further distinguish himself, he’ll need to pressure the quarterback more, although Durant did finish in the Top 25 nationally amongst interior defensive linemen with 28 pressures.
Ford was looking like an equal to the departed Dvon J-Thomas last season prior to his injury.
Ford was excellent in run defense, finishing with a 77.2 run defense grade by PFF College, ranking in the Top 10 among Big Ten interior defensive lineman who participated in at least 175 snaps.
COLLEGE STATION, TX – SEPTEMBER 03: Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Enai White (6) rushes in during the game between the Sam Houston State University Bearkats and the Texas A&M Aggies on September 3, 2022, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire)
The Enai White Effect
In this series, I have avoided isolating any player, but White’s talent and transformation is worth noting.
White was the No. 4 EDGE in the Class of 2022, rated as a five-star, committing to Texas A&M.
After White’s career never took off in College Station, he transferred to Penn State.
First thought to be in the EDGE mix with Zuriah Fisher and Max Granville, White’s frame allowed him to add mass and through this off season was able to add 40 pounds.
“I think long-term, it’s his best position in terms of being able to play the game as long as he can,” Franklin said. “Whenever you move down a position, you increase the athleticism. He has been as big as 275 pounds without even trying anyway. So it’s something that we think can help him and help us.”
Franklin also alluded to wanting to put White into position to best contribute.
When you look at White’s explosive ability as an athlete and his measurables, the comparison that quickly comes to mind is former All-American Jared Odrick.
Odrick dominated offensive lines and was the best interior lineman in the Big Ten in 2008 and 2009, the latter winning the conference’s defensive player of the year honors.
If White can play to this level, the present and future is robust for Penn State.
Potential Replacements: Ty Blanding, Owen Wafle, Xavier Gilliam, Kaleb Artis
Beyond White, there’s the inexperienced personnel. None of the players combined for more than 50 snaps last season but the raw talent of the group’s past success of producing quality lineman is what has people believing in the group.
Blanding received an honorable mention on Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List” and is seen as a strong contender in the two deep.
Gilliam, who was thrusted into the rotation with the lack of depth during Penn State’s playoff run is the other the staff feels has a great chance complimenting Durant, Ford and White in the two-deep.
During Penn State’s Media Day, each player raved about Artis and feels he will make an impact this season.
Despite seeing not action for Michigan last year, Wafle is seen as being the key fifth interior lineman in rotation.
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Graphic by Penn State Athletics: Alex Haskell
Committed Pipeline: Isaac Chukwurah, Alex Haskell
Haskell is being seen as potentially one of the biggest boons in this cycle.
Rated as a three-star from St. Joseph’s Prep School (Philadelphia), Haskell is already getting a Mason Graham comparison as a ceiling.
Chukwurah is seen as another diamond in the rough.
The top rated recruit in the state of Delaware from Caravel Academy (Bear, Delaware) is perplexing for recruiting services.
He stands out on film, has made great impressions at camp, but the question is how well will the competition in Delaware raise his stock?
Many analysts think Chukwurah may get a fourth star during reevaluations but there is no doubt he is a prototypical Penn State recruit with great physical assets that through development can make him elite.
Recruiting Targets
A priority in the Class of 2027 will be with four-star McDonogh School (Owing Mills, Maryland) Joseph Buchanan.
It hasn’t been a good start for the Nittany Lions with Buchanan as Penn State failed to make his Top 10.
Some point to Penn State not emphasizing Buchanan or his teammate linebacker Nick Abrams, but the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) and Mid-Atlantic regions lack the interior defensive line talent in this cycle.
Penn State has been a frequent stop for Buchanan so far in his explorations of his next stop, and their success with McDonogh should be a reason this recruitment will be prioritized.
Elite New Jersey prospects has been an Achilles Heel for this staff, as of late, but they will need to reverse that trend if they want to secure at least one of the state’s better prospects.
Four-star Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, New Jersey) prospect Aidan O’Neil is a Top 5 New Jersey recruit in the Class of 2027 and a priority for Penn State.
O’Neil is seen early as a strong Rutgers lean, with Virginia Tech and Boston College in the mix.
Landing O’Neil would end a drought of Penn State misses with Don Bosco recruits.
Three-star Red Bank Catholic (Holmdel, New Jersey) prospect Lorenzo Tartemella has been a strong Penn State lean, visiting three times.
The 6’2” 220 pound interior defensive lineman has the frame to grow, which Penn State likes, and the impression is the growth Tartemella can achieve between his junior and senior seasons makes him a priority.
Penn State is competing with Pitt and Boston College for Tartemella’s commitment.
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: James Franklin
Portal Forecast
The youth of 2025 will be experienced in 2026, but experience can also reveal a hole or weakness that may exist.
Optimistically, the youth will demonstrate some excellence and the incoming Class of 2026 will complement the group well and begin developing.
I feel Franklin will be looking for a veteran come portal season to try to find that right piece for the right depth Penn State needs in the interior.
