Penn State edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton ready to shine in starting role

Three Penn State defensive ends have dominated the headlines early in 2024.

Former Nittany Lions Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac, Big Ten standouts in 2023, will go early in the NFL Draft later this month. And third-year junior Abdul Carter has been the talk of Penn State’s spring for his decision to switch from linebacker to edge rusher.

Just don’t forget about the defensive end who could become one of the best defenders in the Big Ten.

Dani Dennis-Sutton, a third-year junior who was a five-star signee in James Franklin’s 2022 recruiting class, is ready for the spotlight.

Playing behind Robinson and Isaac a year ago, the 6-foot-5, 270-pound Dennis Sutton piled up six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Replacing Robinson and Isaac will not be easy. But Carter and Dennis-Sutton could be as good by the end of 2024.

“He’s 270 pounds, he’s physical, extremely physical,” Franklin said when asked about Dennis-Sutton’s progress this spring.

“I think he’s going to have a really big year for us.”

Adding size and strength has been a priority for Dennis-Sutton since he arrived in State College.

He said, for this season, he’s also focusing on his lowering his pad level. Dennis-Sutton added he’s sprinkled in some mixed martial arts training this offseason.

“I was already a strong guy but, a lot of times, I would get caught in the wrong position … things like that,” Dennis-Sutton said, referencing his high pad level.

“I also did sort of some MMA things to help with my hands, just precision, and things like that.”

Veterans Amin Vanover and Zuriah Fisher are contenders for more playing time at end, and Dennis-Sutton raved about Carter and second-year edge Jameial Lyons.

“Speed, power, explosiveness,” Dennis-Sutton said of the 6-3, 250-pound Carter, a first-team All-Big Ten pick at linebacker in 2023.

“Just another guy in the room that pushes us to be better, and he’s gonna have a big year.”

Dennis-Sutton said the 6-5, 252-pound Lyons “is going to have a big season. He’s a mature guy. You’re never going to catch him doing anything he’s not supposed to do.”

“He’s very similar to me,” Dennis-Sutton added. “He’s hungry, he’s trying to get a job, a starting job, and I respect the crap out of him.”

But if you’re looking for a tone-setter on the perimeter of Penn State’s defensive front, Dennis-Sutton is the guy.

“There’s just such a physical aspect to his game in everything: pass rush and run defense and block destruction, and then he’s got such a motor,” Franklin said of Dennis-Sutton.

“You guys have seen him chase plays down. He plays the game the way you want it played.”