Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1533674
A P R I L 2 0 2 5 13 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M After saying a few weeks earlier that he would be returning for "one more ride" with Penn State, veteran defen- sive lineman Smith Vilbert entered the transfer portal in February. Vilbert had successfully petitioned the NCAA for a seventh year of eligibility and seemed to be ticketed for a bigger role on the Nittany Lions' defensive front this fall, perhaps moving from an edge-rushing position to the middle of the line. Now, though, he will play his final season at North Carolina. A three-star prospect in Penn State's 2019 recruiting class, Vilbert looked to be a rising star after playing in 12 games during the '21 season, a campaign that he capped by setting a PSU postseason record with 3 sacks against Arkansas in the Outback Bowl. However, he missed nearly all of the 2022 season for undis- closed reasons and sat out the 2023 slate with an injury. The Monsey, N.Y., native was back in action last spring and earned praise from head coach James Franklin just be- fore the Blue-White Game. "A guy that not a lot of people are talking about right now is Smith Vil- bert," 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. We're excited about him." Vilbert ended up playing 339 snaps in 2024, finishing with 12 tackles, includ- ing 4 for loss and 1.5 sacks. As a graduate student, Vilbert was able to enter the portal after the post- season transfer window closed. He be- came the 10th player to leave Penn State following the 2024 regular season, join- ing quarterback Beau Pribula (now at Missouri), receivers Harrison Wallace III (Ole Miss), Omari Evans (Washing- ton), Mehki Flowers (Akron) and Tyler Johnson (East Carolina), safety Tyrece Mills (Connecticut), cornerback Cam Miller (Rutgers), tight end Jerry Cross (Memphis) and defensive tackle T.A. Cunningham (Garden City Community College). Two specialists with eligibility re- maining — kicker Sander Sahaydak and punter Mitchell Groh — also have left the program. — Sean Fitz Vilbert appeared headed for a bigger role at Penn State this fall before opting to leave in February. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL Singleton, Franklin Featured On Video Game Cover The revived EA Sports College Football franchise is expanding its horizons, and two of Penn State's most recognizable faces are part of the new look. Leaked on the @tubbycfp Instagram account in March, and later confirmed by The Athletic to be real, the cover of the College Football '26 De- luxe Edition features both Penn State head coach James Franklin and senior running back Nich- olas Singleton. They appear in the grandstand at the Rose Bowl along with some of the sport's most high-profile figures, including head coaches Kirby Smart of Georgia, Ryan Day of Ohio State and Kenny Dillingham of Arizona State, quarter- backs Bryce Underwood of Michigan, D.J. Lagway of Florida and Garrett Nussmeier of LSU, receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs of Ohio State, and running back Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame, among others. Also included on the cover are mascots from Georgia, Tennessee and Oregon, as well as former college football stars Tim Tebow and Reggie Bush. — Nate Bauer Zane Durant Lauded By Pro Football Focus Penn State has its share of high-profile players returning in 2025, but it isn't just senior quarterback Drew Allar and senior running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen who have been garner- ing praise. When Pro Football Focus published its list of college football's top returning interior defensive linemen, Nittany Lion senior Zane Durant checked in at No. 2 behind Clemson's Peter Woods. Durant passed up an opportunity to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, opting to play one final season with the Nittany Lions. "Durant was a constant presence in opposing backfields last sea- son, excelling as both a pass rusher and run defender," PFF's Max Chadwick wrote. "He led all FBS interior defenders with 14 tackles for loss or no gain in 2024, while his 28 pressures ranked among the top 25 in the nation. "Despite being undersized at 6-foot-1, 288 pounds, Durant plays with impressive power and uses his quickness to shoot gaps effec- tively, making him a disruptive force on the defensive line." Three other Penn Staters were mentioned in PFF's positional rankings: senior Nicholas Singleton (third among running backs), senior Drew Allar (fourth among quarterbacks) and redshirt junior guard Olaivavega Ioane (eighth among interior linemen). — Greg Pickel Veteran Defensive End Smith Vilbert Enters Transfer Portal