Penn State must wait for Dani Dennis-Sutton to arrive, but he "can compete from day one," James Franklin says
Dani Dennis-Sutton will not arrive at Penn State early like some of his classmates will.
If you think that means the four-star defensive end will be unable to compete for early playing time in State College, however, think again.
The Owing Mills, Md., McDonogh stand out picked the Lions over Alabama, Georgia, and a boat load of other big-time offers back in July. He then never wavered from his pledge and signed with Penn State during the early signing period on Wednesday.
Now, he will fully turn his focus following a senior season that featured some impressive numbers despite missing time due to injury toward trying to crack position coach John Scott Jr.’s rotation as a true freshman.
“Dani’s a guy, obviously, that was highly recruited,” Penn State coach James Franklin said during his early national signing day news conference.
“He’s also a guy that, you look at his film, and also his measurables, he’s a guy that you sit here and say, you can pencil him in as a guy that’s going to have an opportunity to compete, even though he’s not coming in at mid-semester.”
There’s good reason to be bullish about Dennis-Sutton’s early future at Penn State.
The On3 Consensus rankings call Dennis-Sutton the nation’s No. 44 player regardless of position and No. 7 at the one he will play in State College. A Millsboro, Del., native, he was a four-time letter winner for the Eagles and helped them to a runner-up Maryland A Conference level finish in 2021.
Dennis-Sutton has a well-filled-out frame already. He will need to make technique improvements if he hopes to play as a freshman, but that is common. It’s also teachable. Size is not.
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It’s possibly the primary reason why so many think he could make an impact in year one. It may also be a near requirement, at least in some capacity. Penn State is expected to lose defensive end starters Arnold Ebiketie and Jesse Luketa after the Outback Bowl. It’s also unclear what Adisa Isaac‘s status will be after missing the 2021 season due to injury.
That’s not to say only neccesity could lead Dennis-Sutton to the field, of course. Talent simply could as well. A mesh of both make him a safe bet to be in the mix one way or the other, though, at some point during his first season on campus in new coordinator Manny Diaz’s defense.
“He’s 6-foot-5, 255 pounds,” Franklin said. He’s physical against the run. He can rush the passer. So, he’s not like an undersized defensive end that you’re going to have to develop over time.
“He’s got the ability to come in and compete from day one, and I think that’s going to be his mentality and approach. He’s also a very mature young man.”
