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Penn State DL Zane Durant still undecided about 2025 season, remains focused on Notre Dame

Mug-Shot 4x4by:Ryan Snyder•01/05/25•

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Defensive lineman Zane Durant. (Credit: Steve Manuel | Blue White Illustrated)

Penn State expects quarterback Drew Allar to return for the 2025 season, but there are a handful of starters who haven’t yet announced what they plan to do. One of those key players is junior defensive tackle Zane Durant.

After playing in 13 games as a freshman back in 2022, Durant emerged as Penn State’s top NFL prospect at defensive tackle last season, but he’s taken his game to a different level this year, totaling 39 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Although he’s not currently ranked among ESPN’s top defensive tackle prospects for this year’s NFL Draft, that hasn’t stopped many from wondering if Durant would consider moving on after this season. When asked about it Sunday ahead of the Orange Bowl, the Florida native admitted that Penn State’s staff had provided him information on where he stacks up but also made it clear that he’s not thinking about that at the moment.

“They definitely have given me a lot of information to help me make this decision, but priority number one is what’s in front of us right now,” said Durant. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for everybody, so that’s really my number one right now. We’ll worry about that when we get there.”

Penn State’s interior defensive line as a whole has taken a big step forward this year. Teammates Coziah Izzard and Dvon J-Thomas are also playing some of their best football currently, but as J-Thomas mentioned during his press conference today, Durant is among the most athletic players on the team.

“Zane is, of course, a freak athlete,” said J-Thomas. “But also, given his technique and his size and his strength, it’s a mismatch for any offensive lineman. I mean, you look at this past week, going up against 66 [Ben Dooley] as well as 62 [Roger Carreon], it was a mismatch the entire time. His pad level, his speed off the ball. He’s a freak athlete. [Zane is] one of those guys who is going to bench 455 for five [reps] and then go run a 4.4 40. He’s a tremendous athlete and I think it’s showing up on film, especially when you get this late into the season.”

Although it’s currently unclear if the Nittany Lions will have star edge rusher Abdul Carter against the Irish, the matchup between Penn State’s defensive line and Notre Dame’s offensive front will be key. Durant made it clear that he’s looking forward to facing one of the best offensive lines in the country.

“I love things like this,” Durant said. “I’m competitive. When the best come out to play, it’s time for our best players to come out and play, and that’s what we’re going to do this upcoming game. “

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