INDIANAPOLIS– For most of his Penn State career, Dani Dennis-Sutton wasn’t the guy everybody was talking about.
As a five-star recruit, the defensive end would have been the centerpiece of most classes, but not Penn State’s Class of 2022, which featured fellow five stars Drew Allar and Nicholas Singleton.
For the first three years of his career, Dennis-Sutton continually developed into a formidable edge rusher, but was overshadowed by fellow defensive ends Adisa Isaac, Chop Robinson and, in 2024, Abdul Carter.
Dennis-Sutton could have left for the NFL after 2024, but by staying for 2025, he became the guy everybody was talking about.
It didn’t start that way.
Sutton’s return was part of the reason many pegged Penn State as a national championship favorite.
Then, Penn State won its first three games in uninspiring fashion, lost the next three (two of which as three-touchdown favorites) and after 11.5 years, the school fired head coach James Franklin.
Overall, the season was an unquestioned disappointment, and Dennis-Sutton didn’t get off to the start he wanted, going six games without a sack.
Then, Dennis-Sutton caught fire.
It started against Indiana, when Dennis-Sutton’s sack of QB Fernando Mendoza in the last minute would have been a signature moment had PSU held on.
The next week at Michigan State, Penn State got interim coach Terry Smith his first win, and that day, he should have been called Dani Dennis “the menace” Sutton.
Two sacks, 11 quarterback pressures (per Pro Football Focus), seven hurries (also per Pro Football Focus) and one big statement.
The next week against Nebraska, Dennis-Sutton played his last game in Beaver Stadium and went out with a bang, hurrying the quarterback five times, pressuring him six times and sacking him once.
In the regular-season finale at Rutgers, Dennis Sutton “only” .5 sacks, but his QB hurry forced a fumble that LB Amare Campbell returned for a touchdown.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Dennis-Sutton could have ended it right there and opted out of the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson, but decided to play in a decision that surely will impress teams at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
Dennis-Sutton had his combine workout Thursday afternoon and told reporters the day before what he was looking to prove.
“I think the combine is just another opportunity to compete, show your athletic ability, and that’s the reason I’m the top of the top,” he said. “I’m one of one. Excited about how tomorrow’s going to go, and I think it’s going to go well for me.”
Something Dennis-Sutton showcased in 2025 that he hadn’t before was his special-teams ability.
He tied a school record by blocking three punts, with one of them being in that Michigan State game.
He also lined up all over the field, ranging from defensive tackle to inside linebacker/QB spy.
So whatever a pro team asks Dennis-Sutton to do, he’ll be ready.
“I feel like I can do whatever on the field,” he said. “I mean, if you ask me, I feel I can do everything. I even spot the quarterback at points this year. But I feel like I can play on the edge. I can play inside if you need me to. I can rush the punter. I got three blocked punts this year. So whatever you need me, defense, anywhere in the defensive line, special teams, I’m going to do it, wherever is best for the team.”
And who knows– maybe one of the eight other Penn State players at the Combine will be drafted to the same team as Dennis-Sutton.
“It’s obviously very exciting,” he said. “We all dreamed of being in this position, and obviously just coming here. It’s super cool to see so many familiar faces. I think Khalil Dinkins just got in today. Zakee Wheatley, I saw him yesterday. Then I’ve been training with Zane Durant, so it’s been really cool to see so many familiar faces out here, and I can’t wait to see what they do on and off the field.
Dennis-Sutton will be moving on to bigger and better things, but he’s cemented himself as a forever Nittany Lion, and he cemented his legacy in the back end of his senior season.
“Penn State has given me so many opportunities and (opened) so many doors,” he said. “I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for Penn State. I wouldn’t be who I am at all, really, if it wasn’t for Penn State. So, I’m a Penn Stater through and through.
