Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1524108
A U G U S T 2 0 2 4 6 1 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / D E F E N S I V E L I N E M E N / / / / / / / only a sophomore last year, there's a lot he can still improve on from a technique perspective. That's what makes his po- tential all the more exciting for Penn State's coaching staff. "One of my biggest [priorities] last year was just emphasizing my pad level," Dennis-Sutton said in the spring. "I was already a strong guy, but a lot of times I would get caught in a wrong position because I was so high. So, this whole offseason, I've been emphasizing my pads. I also did some [mixed martial arts] things to help with my hands and just my precision, things like that." Maximum Intensity Much of Dennis-Sutton's production last season came from the relentless drive he's been showcasing since his time at the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Md. It's a major reason he came out of high school listed as not only a five-star prospect but as the No. 19 overall player and No. 3 defensive end in his class, per the On3 Industry Ranking. Knowing the kind of person he is and the work he was willing to put in, many believed he had the potential to become a force at the college level. Now that he's set to be a full-time starter for the Nittany Lions, this is shap- ing up to be the year that Dennis-Sutton puts it all together. "He's a hard-working kid who wants to do everything that he could possibly do to be great," Penn State defensive line coach Deion Barnes said. "I know for sure what I'm going to get out of Dani. Every play, Quick Facts Position coach: Deion Barnes (second season) Returning starters: DT Zane Durant (11 ca- reer starts), DT Dvon J-Thomas (10) Departing starters: DE Adisa Isaac (26), DE Chop Robinson (10) Projected new starters: DE Dani Dennis- Sutton, DE Abdul Carter Top reserves: DE Zuriah Fisher, DE Amin Vanover, DE Smith Vilbert, DE Jameial Ly- ons, DT Hakeem Beamon, DT Kaleb Artis, DT Alonzo Ford Jr. Newcomers: DE Jaylen Harvey, DE Mylachi Williams, DT Liam Andrews, DT De'Andre Cook, DT T.A. Cunningham, DT Xavier Gil- liam "There's just such a physical aspect to his game in everything — in pass rush and run defense and block destruction. He's got such a motor. … He just plays the game the way you want it played." J A M E S F R A N K L I N O N D E N N I S - S U T T O N Carter started 19 games at linebacker in his first two seasons, claiming All-Big Ten honors both years, including a first-team nod as a sophomore last year. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL