Tag: Dani Dennis-Sutton

Two Nittany Lions rank among CBS Sports’ Top 100 players of 2024

Two Nittany Lions rank in CBS Sports’ Top 100 college football players of 2024

With spring practices and games wrapping up over the next couple of weeks, everyone is getting antsy for the start of the 2024 college football season. It is officially ranking season after analysts have seen many programs in action during spring ball.

On Monday morning, CBS Sports’ Blake Brockermeyer put out his rankings of the top 100 college football players of 2024. Despite having arguably a top-10 roster in all of college football, only two Penn State players appear on Brokermeyer’s Top 100 list.

The two on the list are defensive ends [autotag]Adbul Carter[/autotag] (No. 17) and [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] (No. 78). Those two should be the bookend defensive ends for what should be a top tier Penn State defensive front.

Carter, who is making the switch from linebacker to edge, is a top-20 player, according to Brockermeyer, and arguably one of the best defenders in the country. Carter has a ton of expectations to be great, and that starts with his number 11 jersey, which makes it hard for anyone not to think of Micah Parsons. The similarities are scary; perhaps Carter can be even better than the former Penn State great.

Can I go with back-to-back Micah Parsons comps? Abdul Carter fits the bill, too, down to the No. 11 uniform. Carter had a great start to his career with excellent production in his first two seasons at Happy Valley and is making the switch to the edge this season. Carter is a dynamic, twitched-up force who is likely to have a lot of success making the move. James Franklin has called Carter “freakishly strong, ” so you can expect he will have the ability to rush speed to power. He should have a great season in Tom Allen’s attacking defensive scheme. – Brockermeyer, CBS Sports

Carter is definitely in the cards for a breakout season, and if everything falls into place, he could be the next Penn State edge rusher taken in the first round.

On the other side of the defensive line, Dani Dennis-Sutton must be loving Carter’s move to the line of scrimmage, as it should open up plenty of opportunities for Sutton to attack the quarterback. Sutton is a bigger body than Carter and can play all over the line of scrimmage and should form a dynamic 1-2 punch with Carter on the opposite side.

A powerful edge rusher with a variety of moves and the versatility to play inside as well. Dennis-Sutton has a nice motor and works the offensive linemen’s edges well and can convert with power. Nice length and get-off; a nasty tandem lined up opposite Adbul Carter. I’m high on Penn State’s defensive front. – Brockermeyer, CBS

Penn State’s defensive front should be one of the best in the nation and once again be the leader of one of the top defenses.

Follow Charlie Strella on Twitter, Threads, and Instagram.

Abdul Carter switching positions in Penn State’s defense in 2024

Penn State’s best defensive player switching positions ahead of the 2024 season.

Spring practices are underway in Happy Valley, so a new football season is approaching. Earlier today, Penn State fans got wind that the school updated its 2024 roster, which included position changes for a few players.

No position change was more notable than All-Big Ten linebacker [autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag] switching to defensive end. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound junior had a solid finish last season, tallying 4.5 sacks, including 3.5 in November. Carter owns 11.5 sacks through his two college seasons, and ever since he dawned the No. 11 Penn State jersey, he has been compared to [autotag]Micah Parsons[/autotag].

A similar plan was often discussed before Parsons’ last season at Penn State to get him more pass-rushing opportunities, but that never fully materialized.

This time around, it looks as though [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] and [autotag]Tom Allen[/autotag] are looking to maximize their best defensive player’s ability to disrupt opposing offensives. With the switch to defensive end, Carter can form a potentially potent pairing with former five-star recruit [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] and help replace the productivity lost from [autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Adisa Isaac[/autotag].

Penn State will now have to replace Carter’s spot at linebacker, but that might be taken care of with another position change. Former safety Tyrece Mills is now listed as a linebacker on the team’s roster and could replace the roles of either NFL draft-bound [autotag]Curtis Jacobs[/autotag] or Carter.

Former All-Big Ten linebacker Abdul Carter switched to defensive end ahead of the 2024 season, just like a Penn State great did before him.

Like with Micah Parsons a few years ago, no matter Abdul Carter’s position, he will be a disrupter. Watching an entire season of Carter at the defensive end and how this change can make the Penn State defense more dynamic will be exciting.

Follow Charlie Strella on Twitter, Threads, and Instagram.

Olu Fashanu named Big Ten offensive lineman of the year

The return of Olu Fashanu paid off for Penn State in 2023. Now he’s adding some hardware to his collection.

When offensive lineman [autotag]Olu Fashanu[/autotag] announced he would be returning for another year at Penn State, it was a bit of a shock. Expected to be a potential first-round draft pick had he declared for the 2023 NFL draft, Fashanu gambled on a return for one more season of college football before turning pro. It seems that gamble has been paying off quite nicely.

On Wednesday, the Big Ten announced Fashanu had been named the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year. He was also a consensus first-team All-Big Ten player according to Big Ten coaches and media.

Fashanu is the second Penn State player to win the Big Ten’s top offensive lineman award. [autotag]A.Q. Shipley[/autotag] received the award in 2008. Fashanu remains a clear first-round draft pick prospect, and he could be one of the earlier picks in the draft after his performance this season.

Here is a look at how the Big Ten coaches voted for the conference’s top players on the football field in 2023. Penn State was well-represented across the board this year.

All-Big Ten selections by Big Ten coaches

  • OT Olu Fashanu (first-team)
  • DE [autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag] (first team)
  • LB [autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag] (first team)
  • DE [autotag]Adisa Isaac[/autotag] (second team)
  • RB [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag] (second team offense, honorable mention special teams)
  • DB [autotag]Kalen King[/autotag] (second team)
  • C [autotag]Hunter Nourzad[/autotag] (second team)
  • DL [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] (third team)
  • DB [autotag]Johnny Dixon[/autotag] (third team)
  • DB [autotag]Daequan Hardy[/autotag] (third team defense; second team special teams)
  • RB [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag] (third team)
  • TE [autotag]Tyler Warren[/autotag] (third team)
  • K [autotag]Alex Felkins[/autotag] (third team)
  • OL [autotag]Caedan Wallace[/autotag] (honorable mention)
  • OL [autotag]JB Nelson[/autotag] (honorable mention)
  • OL [autotag]Sal Wormley[/autotag] (honorable mention)
  • TE [autotag]Theo Johnson[/autotag] (honorable mention)
  • WR [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] (honorable mention)
  • QB [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] (honorable mention)
  • P [autotag]Riley Thompson[/autotag] (honorable mention)

 

Status of Chop Robinson still unknown for Indiana game

After a blow to the head last week, it remains uncertain if Penn State will have this top defensive player this weekend.

Penn State defensive end [autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag] has been regarded as one of the best defensive linemen in the nation this season. This is why his departure from last week’s game at Ohio State after taking a blow to the head was especially noteworthy. After leaving and not returning last week in Columbus, head coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] remains uncertain what the status of Robinson may be this weekend against Indiana.

Franklin said this week he hopes to see Robinson return sooner rather than later, but there has been no public comment on whether sooner could be as soon as this weekend in Beaver Stadium.

Obviously, when it comes to head trauma, there is more caution than ever before in the history of the sport of football. And while cameras caught some potentially disturbing results following his collision last weekend, it is always better to play things as safely as possible before rushing any player back on the field. The Big Ten also has pretty strong concussion procedures to help ensure no player is back on the field when they probably should not be.

Franklin did note he does not believe Robinson’s medical concern will be of the season-ending variety. That is always positive news.

If Robinson is not available, as most seem to believe will ultimately be the case, expect Penn State to bump [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] into the starting role for the week. But also expect some opportunities for freshman [autotag]Jamieal Lyons[/autotag] to get involved. This weekend would be his fourth appearance, the last before exhausting a redshirt season of eligibility for this season.

It also helps that Penn State should be able to get by this week without one of their top defensive players. Penn State hosts Indiana this weekend. Both teams are coming off a loss, and Penn State should be able to use the home cooking to get back on track against a Hoosiers program that is 0-4 in Big Ten play this season and just 2-5 overall. Indiana’s only two wins this season have come against Indiana State, an FCS school, and Akron, by two points in overtime.

Indiana has been outscored 44-17 at Maryland, 52-7 at Michigan, and 31-14 at home against Rutgers coming into this weekend’s matchup with the Nittany Lions. So Penn State’s defense should be in good shape, and the offense could have the stage set for a nice confidence boost after last week’s demoralizing performance.

Some positive injury updates?

There is good news for Penn State’s injury report, however. Offensive guard [autotag]JB Nelson[/autotag] may be fully available this week after having his own medical scare a few weeks back at Northwestern. He may even get the start at guard this week.

[autotag]Amin Vanover[/autotag] could possibly return to the field this weekend as well. Vanover also left the Ohio State game with an injury last week. He is said to be a game-day decision for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State hosts Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET on CBS.

Defensive keys for victory against West Virginia

Penn State’s defense will be all over West Virginia’s offense in the season opener.

The time has come to see if the hype surrounding this Penn State defense is real.

They were one of the top defenses in the country last season and are looking to build upon their success this year. In [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag]’s second season as Penn State’s defensive coordinator, the expectations are that they’ll be even better than what they did a year ago.

So, what are defensive keys to victory against an upset minded West Virginia team?

The first is to stop the run.

Attacking on the ground is something that West Virginia wants to do. They’re returning three of their top four running backs from last season and all five of their offensive lineman. With quarterback questions of their own, they’ll look to grind out the game on the ground. It will be up to the interior defensive line to make sure that doesn’t happen.

After getting pushed around against Michigan and Ohio State last year, there has been rumblings the group this season is upgraded. This will be a good test to see if that has come to fruition.

The second key to victory is getting after the passer.

If Penn State takes an early lead, the Mountaineers will have to start throwing the ball at some point to get themselves back into the game. That’s when the edge rushers have to get after the quarterback and make his life miserable. With three legitimate threats on the edge in [autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag], [autotag]Adisa Isaac[/autotag] and [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag], they should be able to accomplish this.

The third key is limiting explosive plays.

West Virginia will need some of their plays to pop if they want to pull off the upset. That can’t happen to this defense that has goals of being the best in the country. The secondary will have to limit the damage done through the air and the defensive line will have to win their battles against their offensive line.

If all three of these are accomplished defensively, then Penn State will start the season 1-0.

Follow Brad Wakai on Twitter and TikTok

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2023 Penn State football snapshot profile: No. 33 Dani Dennis-Sutton

Get ready for Dani Dennis-Sutton to have a breakout season for Penn State

Going into the 2023 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Penn State roster. Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] this season.

Today is a look at Dani Dennis-Sutton, a high touted recruit with a massive ceiling that is causing NFL scouts to already start looking at the second year player. After playing in his true freshman season, Dennis-Sutton could be one of the Nittany Lions who has a major breakout year. Here is a look at one of Penn State’s top players on the roster for the upcoming 2023 season.

Omari Evans and Dani Dennis-Sutton riding Blue-White Game momentum into summer

Penn State should be encouraged by the spring game performances of these tow players going into the summer.

Coming off of Saturday’s Blue-White Game, the game’s MVPs are looking to take the next step together with their team in 2023.

Defensive lineman [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] and wide receiver [autotag]Omari Evans[/autotag] were honored for their efforts and the success they had against their teammates on Saturday. Coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] spoke highly of Dennis-Sutton as “unblockable” and by all accounts he was. With two sacks in the game, he stood out when watching the defense play. Penn State struggled last season finding an effective pass rush after being spoiled by years of fruitful returns by players who were good enough to go to the NFL. Dennis-Sutton will hope the duo of himself and [autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag] can give Penn State that edge on [autotag]Manny Diaz’s[/autotag] defense.

On offense, Evans emerged as a potential playmaker at wide receiver at a time when the team needs players stepping up at the position. Evans finished with a team-best five catches for 80 yards including a 28-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Drew Allar. Sadly it would be the only time any Nittany Lion reached the end zone Saturday but that production should skyrocket in the fall.

Both Evans and Dennis-Sutton play crucial positions of need for Penn State. Their performances may be enough to allow Franklin and his staff to give attention to other positions in recruiting and transfer portal. Regardless of what those two groups do, these two sophomores will be and should be expected to take the next step. If they do, this team could be looking like the complete package on both sides of the ball after being very weak at two important positions.

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Four-star linebacker target in Maryland is high on Penn State

Where Penn State stands with a key linebacker recruit in 2024.

Penn State’s strong history at the linebacker position is well documented, and it still seems to resonate on the recruiting trail with some players. One player who is well aware of the Linebacker-U lineage in Happy Valley is four-star linebacker [autotag]Gabriel Williams[/autotag], from Maryland. Is it enough to secure a commitment to Penn State’s Class of 2024. Only time will tell, but 247Sports does feel that Penn State is a strong contender in this recruiting battle.

“LBU,” Williams said of Penn State to 247Sports while attending a football scouting event over the weekend in Texas. “I’m a linebacker myself so I look at the [autotag]Micah Parsons[/autotag], and the Chops and Dennis-Suttons and see what I can potentially be.”

Williams was referring to former Penn State linebacker [autotag]Micah Parsons[/autotag], one of the best linebackers to come out of Penn State in years and the NFL’s unanimous defensive rookie of the year two seasons ago. Williams also mentioned more recent members of the Penn State defense with [autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag], who transferred to Penn State from Maryland, the top program from Williams’ home state, and [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag], who came to Penn State out of Maryland’s McDonogh School. Robinson and Dennis-Sutton have been used more as defensive ends and not a linebacker, but they are still notable players Williams is well aware of as he looks to decide where he will play his college football.

Williams listed the schools that he is currently most interested in. Penn State was among the top schools mentioned along with his home team of Maryland. USC is also a contender and he will be visiting the Trojans, a future Big Ten program, this spring. Other schools on Williams’ radar include Tennessee, Duke, and North Carolina.

Penn State;’s Class of 2024 already has a pair of four-star linebackers in the fold with Anthony Speca and Kari Jackson, but there is always room for one more. This is especially true if that player, like Williams, can play multiple positions. Not only has Williams shown an ability to play multiple linebacker spots, but he has also been used in the backfield as a safety. Right now, Williams is being recruited as a linebacker.

Williams is a consensus four-star recruit and On3 goes as high as ranking him the 103rd-best player in the country overall. Maryland is considered a slight favorite at the moment, but Penn State appears to clearly be a significant player in the recruiting process.

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Penn State spring football preview: Defensive Line

Now that a new coach is in place, here’s a quick look at the Penn State defensive line situation this spring

It’s an exciting time for the defensive line unit at Penn State. Coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] recently announced that [autotag]Deion Barnes[/autotag] would be the new defensive line coach for the upcoming season.

Barnes, who played defensive line at Penn State from 2012-2014, is taking over the role after the departure of [autotag]John Scott Jr.[/autotag]

It seems like a natural progression for Barnes who served as a graduate assistant and was involved in the development of multiple players going to the NFL.

While the news of this hire is certainly exciting, the other electrifying thing surrounding the defensive line is they might be the best unit of Penn State football this season.

[autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Adisa Isaac[/autotag] are the headliners of the line, but there are other players that could have a big year as well.

Here are names to watch as spring practices get underway.

Chop Robinson

Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Measurables: 6’3″ 240 lbs.

Year: Junior

Expected Role: Starting Defensive End

Chop Robinson was an absolute star for Penn State in 2022-23. After transferring in from Maryland, he was a game wrecker for the Nittany Lions. He recorded 26 total tackles, 10 of them for loss, and had 5.5 sacks.

His PFF grade of 90.6 ranked him sixth out of 862 edge rushers last season. Robinson’s pass rush grade had him fourth in the country. It’s crazy to think that he can improve his run defense to become an even better player. Robinson will be a household name if continues to produce like he did last year.

Coziah Izzard

AP Photo/Barry Reeger

Measurables: 6’3″ 292 lbs.

Year: Redshirt Junior

Expected Role: Starting Defensive Tackle

This is the starting position on the defensive line that should be watched. [autotag]Coziah Izzard[/autotag] is the projected starter, but he’ll be battling to secure that title. Last season he was expected to start alongside [autotag]PJ Mustipher[/autotag], but missed the first four games of the season due to the decision of coach Franklin.

After a bursting onto the scene in 2021 with 21 tackles and two sacks, he recorded 10 tackles and two sacks in nine games last season. Izzard has tons of talent and should be able to produce this year whether he’s a starter or not.

NEXT: Other potential starters up front

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Penn State gets commitment from DL Mason Robinson, who flips from Northwestern

Penn State added another defensive lineman to the Class of 2023 with a flip from a Big Ten school

Call it a Big Ten on Big Ten crime, but Penn State is plucking from Northwestern’s recruiting haul to add to its own in the Class of 2023. On Tuesday, defensive lineman Mason Robinson announced

“I am thankful for all the love from [Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald] and Northwestern university (sic) but I am officially de-committing from Northwestern University,” Robinson said in his released statement via Twitter. “I will be going back to where it all started, with Coach Franklin and the Nittany Lions. I am committing to Penn State University.”

Penn State was one of the first offers to be extended to Robinson in his recruiting process, and that was followed by a handful of unofficial visits between 2021 and 2022. Robinson committed to Northwestern in late May, but the month of December has seen a change of heart for Robinson at the perfect time for Franklin and his staff. Robinson announced his commitment to Penn State just days after taking an official visit in Happy Valley over the weekend.

Robinson is a consensus three-star recruit according to the various recruiting services. Robinson is the latest Penn State recruit to come out of McDonogh School in Owings Mills, MD. He’ll follow one of his former teammates at McDonogh, [autotag]Dani Dennis-Sutton[/autotag] from the Class of 2022, and linebacker [autotag]Curtis Jacobs[/autotag], from the Class of 2020, as the McDonogh pipeline continues for Penn State.

The 6′-4″, 230-pound defensive lineman is the second defensive lineman added to the Class of 2023 this week. On Monday, Joseph Mupoyi gave the Nittany Lions an edge rusher to add to its current recruiting haul.

Penn State hopes to have every member of its Class of 2023 locked up during the early signing period, which is open from Dec. 21 to Dec. 23.

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