When you look at the most recent run of defensive ends that have been excellent imports in the NFL from Penn State, they have a claim for being “EDGE U.”
Newly acquired defensive end by the Green Bay Packers, Micah Parsons, is considered a franchise cornerstone in the NFL.
The New York Giants made Abdul Carter the top defensive player chosen in the 2025 NFL Draft after coming off a season where he led the nation with 24 tackles for loss, to go along with 12 sacks and 66 quarterback pressures.
Could former five-star prospect and current senior Dani Dennis-Sutton be the best of them all?
That is at least part of his goals.
“That was the reason why I came to Penn State,” Dennis-Sutton said following Penn State’s 46-11 win over Nevada. “Following the footsteps of all the defensive ends, the great pass rushers that came here, and my job was just to be the next one. So, it felt great. Time for me to make my legacy.”
Dennis-Sutton was graded in the elite tier overall by PFF College receiving a 96.3 overall defensive grade.
Other high marks Dennis-Sutton received was a 97.3 run defense grade, with PFF College documenting that Dennis-Sutton was making the tackle an average of three yards behind the line of scrimmage in their average depth of tackle metric.
Against Nevada, Dennis-Sutton was the first Penn State defender since Micah Parsons in the 2019 Cotton Bowl against Memphis to force multiple fumbles in a game.
“It’s just something we practice every single day,” Dennis-Sutton responded to a question on his approach to attacking the ball.
“Coach Franklin takes pride in turnovers for the defense, so five or 10 minutes every day, we do a turnover drill where we punch the ball out. I just saw the ball and punched it out both times. That’s how you win games.”
Penn State head coach James Franklin has recognized the body transformation of Dennis-Sutton and how that will translate on the field.
“When you’re six-foot-five, you’re 265 pounds, he’s extremely strong. He’s quicker and faster than people realize, he’s a well-rounded defensive end. And there’s some guys across the country that are great pass rushers. There are some guys that are good against the run. He can do both,” Franklin said.
Dennis-Sutton has been on a steady ascension since the middle of last year.
In eight of his previous 10 games, Dennis-Sutton has produced multiple quarterback pressures with sacks in six games, and three games having a sack with either a turnover or creating one.
Dennis-Sutton’s breakout came against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl where he had six tackles (4 solo), two sacks, forced fumble, and an interception.
It isn’t missed on Franklin of Dennis-Sutton’s efforts.
“When you play with that type of effort, good things happen. And he is hungry, he is motivated, he is driven. He wants to be great. A lot of guys say they want to be great. This guy eats, sleeps and dreams of football and wants to be special. He’s been that way since we recruited him, and since he’s been on campus, he just continues to get better. I think that the 10 pounds that he’s lost, I think it’s helpful for him. I think it’s going to contribute to him having a big-time year for us.”
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