Penn State defensive end Smith Vilbert makes stay-or-go decision for 2025 season
Penn State is getting another defender back for a final season. Veteran defensive end Smith Vilbert is returning for “one more ride,” with the Nittany Lions in 2025, he announced on Tuesday. It is believed he is receiving an extra year of eligibility via a medical redshirt waiver due to missing all of the 2023 season due to injury.
Vilbert, a Monsey, N.Y., native who played at St. Joseph’s Prep in New Jersey before joining the Lions, had an up-and-down career in State College. After playing in just two games over his first two seasons, he was seemingly ready to turn the corner after playing in 12 games in 2021 and capping the year with three sacks in the Outback Bowl against Arkansas, which tied the postseason game’s record and set a Penn State one for a bowl game performance. However, he would miss almost all of the 2022 season for undisclosed reasons before sitting out all of the 2023 slate due to an injury. Finally healthy, he stuck with the program throughout spring practice in 2024 and even earned praise from head coach James Franklin just before the Blue-White game.
“A guy that not a lot of people are talking about right now is Smith Vilbert,” Franklin said on The Penn State Coaches Show. “Smith is a guy that we think has the size and athleticism to play D-end and D-tackle this year and be a swing guy for us and we’re excited about him.”
Vilbert played 339 snaps during the 2024 season. He finished with 12 tackles (4.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Track Penn State stay or go decisions
Vilbert is joined in returning on defense by defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, defensive tackle Zane Durant, and safety Zakee Wheatley as of 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 14. On offense, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are all returning, too. Here’s the full rundown:
Penn State players who could come back for a final season if they choose to:
C Nick Dawkins: Returning for the 2025 season
S Zakee Wheatley: Returning for the 2025 season.
DL Smith Vilbert: Returning for the 2025 season.
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CB Jalen Kimber: Declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
S Tyrece Mills: Entering the NCAA transfer portal.
LB Kobe King: No announcement yet.
DE Zuriah Fisher: No announcement yet.
DT Alonzo Ford: No announcement yet.
OL JB Nelson: No announcement yet.
P Riley Thompson: No announcement yet.
LB Dom DeLuca: No announcement yet.
K Sander Sahaydak: No announcement yet.
TE Khalil Dinkins: No announcement yet.
WR Trey Wallace: No announcement yet.
WR Liam Clifford: No announcement yet.
OT Nolan Rucci: No announcement yet.
Nittany Lions who are NFL Draft eligible for the first time:
QB Drew Allar: Returning for the 2025 season.
RB Nicholas Singleton: Returning for the 2025 season.
RB Kaytron Allen: Returning for the 2025 season.
DE Dani Dennis-Sutton: Returning for the 2025 season.
DT Zane Durant: Returning for the 2025 season.
S KJ Winston: Declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
DE Abdul Carter: Declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
CB Cam Miller: Entering the NCAA transfer portal.
C/G Vega Ioane: No announcement yet.
OT Drew Shelton: No announcement yet.
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