Skip to main content
penn-state logo

Penn State DE Dani Dennis-Sutton the latest Nittany Lion to confirm he'll return

Mug-Shot 4x4by:Ryan Snyder•about 24 hours•

RyanSnyderOn3

dani-dennis-sutton-penn-state-football-2-on3
Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton. (Credit: Frank Hyatt | Blue White Illustrated)

The good news continues to file in for Penn State’s 2025 season, as defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton became the latest player to announce that he’ll be returning for his senior season. A former five-star recruit from Millsboro, Del., Dennis-Sutton was part of Penn State’s talented 2022 class that featured fellow five-star players Drew Allar and Nick Singleton. Now, all three, along with running back Kaytron Allen, have confirmed that they’ll return for their senior seasons.

The 6-foot-5, 266-pound edge rusher made an immediate impact in his first year on campus, playing in all 13 games during the 2022 season. That season, he totaled over 200 snaps for the Nittany Lions, finishing with 17 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception. He was also named a True Freshman All-American by ESPN.

Dennis-Sutton received his first start midway through his sophomore season against Indiana and eventually started against Maryland and Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. Totaling over 400 snaps that season, he earned a 77.5 overall defensive grade that season, according to PFF, which remains the best season-long grade of his career. The former McDonogh prospect finished 2023 with 26 tackles, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He was also a third-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches.

Statistically, Dennis-Sutton made big strides in 2024, finishing with 42 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. An injury against Ohio State limited him to just five snaps in one of the biggest games of the. He also played just eight snaps against Washington the following week.

Buzzworthy: Tom Allen departure from Penn State a family decision

But Dennis-Sutton returned for the final seven games of the season and ended up playing one of the best games of his career against Notre Dame in Orange Bowl, totaling six tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks against the Fighting Irish. He also had a massive interception in the fourth quarter that set up Penn State to take the lead a few minutes later.

With Abdul Carter set to leave for the NFL, the addition of Dennis-Sutton for next season is massive for the Nittany Lions, giving them at least one experienced edge rusher for next season. Smith Vilbert could potentially ask for a sixth season after missing the 2022 regular season, but it’s unclear if he plans to do so. Amin Vanover is out of eligibility.

There was a major drop-off in snaps behind those four players during the 2024 season, with true freshman Max Granville emerging as the next man up late in the year. Although he played just 52 defensive snaps, Granville will be expected to make a massive step next season.

To help with that, Penn State is also hopeful that incoming transfer Enai White will be able to make an impact. A former Top 50 prospect out of Imhotep in Philadelphia, White played in five games at Texas A&M his freshman season but then suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2023. That limited how much he could participate in preseason practice leading up to this season. He ultimately played just nine snaps in 2024 under new head coach Mike Elko.

You may also like