Penn State’s new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles sounds as though he is impressed with one of Penn State’s top defensive linemen, and that has him excited about what could be happening this fall on the line of scrimmage. Knowles says the play of Zane Durant is standing out to him in practices this offseason, with high expectations for the upcoming season.
Knowles said Durant suggested Durant is the kind of lineman who will help force the entire defense to be designed in a different way than it could have been. The aggression of Durant excites Knowles, who knows he can design a defense with that level of energy in mind.
“[It] changes the way you can play defense,” Knowles said, according to Frank Bodani of the York Daily Record. “And Zane’s that guy.”
Durant is entering his senior season at Penn State after opting to return for another season of college football in Happy Valley. Durant was named an honorable mention for All-Big Ten by the conference’s coaches and media after starting all 16 games played by Penn State and recording 42 tackles (22 solo) with 11 tackles for loss and three sacks. Durant was named to the preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player) and the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman on offense or defense) for the 2025 season.
Durant is one massive piece of a defensive line that also returns Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zuriah Fisher on the edges and Alonzo Ford Jr. as a top option on the inside of Knowles’ 4-2-5 defense.
Penn State kicks off the 2025 season with a home game against Nevada on Saturday, Aug. 30. You can view the full 2025 Penn State football schedule here.
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