What Penn State Football can expect from heralded early enrollees

Penn State Football defensive lineman – Zane Durant

Zane Durant is an incredibly versatile defensive lineman and can play a variety of positions along the defensive line. He played in a 3-4 defense in high school and lined up anywhere from nose tackle to all the way out as a 5-technique (lines up over the outside foot of the offensive tackle).

New defensive coordinator Manny Diaz does not quite have depth along the defensive line that he would like, so Durant has a chance to potentially see some playing time as a backup in 2022.

At six-foot-one and 260 pounds, Durant will probably be bulked up and settle in as a defensive tackle during his time in State College. Enrolling early gives him a jumpstart on that process in a collegiate weight room under Chuck Losey.

He already has great fundamentals coming out of high school, as he sheds blocks well and makes a lot of tackles for loss. If defensive line coach John Scott Jr can take him to the next level in that regard, he might be ready to be a rotational player at defensive tackle in 2022, which will greatly benefit the defense, as depth was an issue at all spots in 2021, despite the starters being among the best in the conference.