Penn State Football Position Grades After 3 Weeks: Defense
After absolutely dominating 3 non-conference foes, Penn State Football’s defense now faces its biggest threat yet, the Oregon Ducks.
As things stand right now, the Nittany Lions have only given up 5.5 points per game and 246.5 yards per game. That makes them good for second in the nation in points per game, and 13th for yards per game.
Additionally, the Jim Knowles-led attack has caused nine sacks and seven turnovers.
With Dante Moore and the Ducks coming to town, let’s look back on how each position group has graded so far.
Defensive Ends: A
Granted, Penn State has faced vastly inferior competition, but the Defensive Ends have looked great.
The only reason I can’t give them an A+ is due to the lack of depth.
The Edge Rusher position is undoubtedly led by Senior, Dani Dennis-Sutton, who has racked up two sacks and two forced fumbles in this early season. Dennis-Sutton has played like an unstoppable force thus far.
Opposite Dennis-Sutton, Zuriah Fisher, and Chaz Coleman have played well. Fisher looks sharp coming off of an injury, and Coleman is having a monster true freshman season. Ideally, you would like to see a little bit more out of players like Jaylen Harvey and Mylachi Williams, but all in all, the Defensive Ends have performed at an excellent level in 2025.
Defensive Tackles: A-
Although, it can be hard to judge, playing inferior teams, Penn State’s interior defense has looked stellar. Weirdly enough, Alonzo Ford and Zane Durent both have interceptions this year. I would imagine Penn State is leading the country in interceptions by Defensive Tackles this young season.
Surprisingly, Durant is off to somewhat of a slow start, but we all know what he is capable of. Xavier Gilliam has been a much needed boost to the depth of the D-Tackles.
He’s notched 5 tackles and has held up well. With Gilliam playing well, Ty Blanding flashing, and Alonzo Ford continuing to build back from injury, the Defensive Tackles have looked good thus far. Even Enai White, who recently moved from End to Tackle, has flashed, recording a sack already.
Despite totally out-manning their opponents, Penn State’s defensive line has looked dominant.
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Linebackers: A
Adjusting to Jim Knowles’ defensive scheme has put a lot on the plate of Nittany Lion Linebackers, however, they have answered the call.
Amare Campbell and Tony Rojas are one and two in total tackles on the team.
Rojas has picked up two sacks and Campbell has recorded one as well. Most Nittany Lion fans were contemplating whether a healthy Tony Rojas and transfer Amare Campbell could find their groove on defense, and so far, they have played extremely well.
Dom Deluca has also factored into the Linebacker rotation and has been a steady presence on the field as well.
I strongly considered giving the Linebacker group an A+, due to their expectations to start the year.
However, I chose to take a more objective approach and give them an A. The Linebackers will be tested against Oregon coming up in the whiteout, but to start the year, the Linebackers have performed well.
Cornerbacks: A+
Has anyone even heard the Cornerbacks get called on the broadcast?
They have locked receivers completely down through the non-conference games. Again, factoring in the talent differential between Penn State and their opponents, the corners have still been elite.
A.J. Harris is the alpha corner, and will get his first challenge when Oregon pays him a visit, but through 3 games, Harris has hardly been targeted. Audavion Collins has played well opposite Harris, racking up 8 tackles so far.
In addition to Collins, Elliot Washington has played well. He and freshman Jamir Joseph snagged interceptions against Villanova. Young players like Kenny Woseley and Daryus Dixson have also flashed early. To round out the group, Nickel, Zion Tracy has played well, just like last year.
Next Saturday, Oregon will give these Cornerbacks a huge test. But, to this point, the Cornerbacks have been elite.
Safeties: B+
Someone had to get a B, right? Look, the Safeties have played well so far, they just haven’t made any huge impact plays that we’ve grown accustomed to from Penn State Safeties.
Coming into the season, Zakee Wheatley was, and still is one of Penn State’s best defenders.
Wheatley has recorded 8 total tackles and is a steady force in the secondary. One question coming into the season was who was the Safety opposite Wheatley? This came down to Antoine Belgrave-Shorter, King Mack, and Dejuan Lane. Surprisingly, Belgrave-Shorter won the job and started against Nevada, however, it appears that King Mack has taken that starting role over.
Mack is third on the team in total tackles with 13. He is flying around the field and should only continue to improve. Both Belgrave-Shorter and Lane give Anthony Poindexter some steady depth as well.
Overall, the Nittany Lions’ Safeties have played well, but haven’t found the ball to wreak havoc yet.
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Purdy was born and raised in central Ohio and served for four years writing for his high school's newsletter. Currently studying Biblical Studies at Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania, Ian has been a lifelong Nittany Lion fan.
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