Penn State Sports Magazine
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N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 2 7 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M to get confidence," Dennis-Sutton said. "And with that confidence, you're just going to make more plays. "When you know your job, know what you're going to do and how you're going to beat somebody, it's just about going out there and doing it." Continued Improvement Although only a sophomore, Durant has proven to be a significant player in building that confidence throughout the room this season. With stalwart defensive tackle PJ Mustipher, a 29-game starter and team captain, having moved on to the NFL after the 2022 season, a leadership void opened up on the defensive line. Isaac was determined to fill it, and he worked at developing his leadership qualities to the point where he was named a captain in August. While not as experienced as Isaac, Durant likewise saw an opportunity to influence others around him. He has helped establish a vibe for the defensive line this season, and Diaz has appreci- ated the role he's played. "Zane, like a lot of the guys we have in the sophomore class, is just wired in a certain way that our defense really kind of needed after we lost some of the big personalities off of last year's de- fense," Diaz said. "Zane is [similar] to those guys. So as his role has increased in our defense, in a way, his leadership increases in our defense because he's got that dog in him that makes other guys want to take their game up to a different level." Having demonstrated the early returns on his offseason work, Durant is ex- pected to continue to improve. And with that individual development, the Nittany Lions will be looking to take strides as a defense. Coach James Franklin said he's been "a big fan of Zane really since he arrived on campus," noting that it's rare for players at his position group to make such a quick ascent. "It's not easy to play D-tackle as a true freshman," Franklin said. "He was able to do that. I thought he had a chance to take a significant step this year, and I think he's doing that. He's a smart guy, he's a con- sistent guy, he's a disciplined guy. "We talked about being high produc- tion and low maintenance. He's that. I'm proud of him. We need him to continue making his presence felt out there." The same can be said of everyone on Penn State's defensive line. No matter what happens in the weeks ahead, this position group will be in the middle of the action. ■ Penn State coach James Franklin said before the 2023 season began that four true freshmen were green-lit to use a year of eligibility this fall. After the team's 41-13 win over Northwestern on Sept. 30, all four had done so. Linebacker Tony Rojas, cornerbacks Elliot Wash- ington II and Zion Tracy, and safety King Mack all played in the victory over the Wildcats. It was the fifth game for each player, putting them over the four-game threshold to preserve a redshirt. Tracy had the big play of the game. He made the tackle on a Northwestern fake punt when the score was 20-10 with about five minutes to go in the third quarter. Seven plays later, sophomore quarterback Drew Allar hit sophomore running back Nicholas Singleton for a 2-yard touchdown that put the Lions up 27-10 and sent them on their way to a lopsided victory. "We talked about that all week long," Franklin said. "There was going to be something in that game — an onside kick, a surprise, a fake punt, something to steal a possession or steal seven points. That was a huge play for us. "Zion is a true freshman who showed some really good flashes and played a decent amount of football for us up to this stage. But that was a huge play in the game. … It's one thing to talk about it and pre- pare for it. It's another thing to go out and make the play, and especially from a true freshman. So, that's something we've got to build on." Back when the season started, Franklin said that Tracy, Washington, Mack and Rojas would play because they were ready to suit up on the second- or third-team defense while starting on special teams. Against the Wildcats, all did. Tracy finished with 2 tackles, while Washington had 1. Mack and Rojas saw time late and on special teams throughout the con- test. Both are performing at a level that makes using a year of eligibility worthwhile. Thanks to an NCAA rule change, players can now suit up in four regular-season games and an unlimited number of postseason games while still preserving a year of eligibility. So, Penn State would need to use a freshman in five of 12 regular-season games to burn his redshirt this fall. Franklin addressed Penn State's redshirt plan be- fore the Northwestern game. "We have the guys that we had as green that we're going to play," he said. "For those guys, the model hasn't changed. We're going to continue to play those guys. "The guys that we would characterize as yellows, as of right now, those guys are staying yellow unless we get some bumps and bruises and have to change their status. Also, we're trying to be as strategic as we can. They play early and then maybe hold and save some games for late in the season." Here's where the Penn State tracker stood after Week 5: Five games played: LB Tony Rojas, CB Elliot Wash- ington II, CB Zion Tracy, S King Mack Two games: DE Jameial Lyons, OT J'ven Williams, OT Anthony Donkoh One game: QB Jaxon Smolik, TE Andrew Rappleyea, OL Chimdy Onoh, DT Tyriq Blanding, LB Ta'Mere Robinson, LB Kaveion Keys, CB Lamont Payne Jr., S DaKaari Nelson No games: RB London Montgomery, RB Cam Wallace, WR Carmelo Tay- lor, TE Joey Schlaffer, OL Alex Birchmeier, DE Joseph Mupoyi, DE Mason Robinson — Greg Pickel Four PSU Defensive Freshmen To Forgo Redshirt Year Cornerback Zion Tracy saw action in his fifth game of the season at Northwestern. He made one of the biggest plays of the afternoon, stopping a fake punt short of a first down. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL