The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is almost complete. Though a number of former Penn State football players had impressive performances throughout the week, no one stood out more than defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton.
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Dennis-Sutton lit up the combine and became a top-20 overall defensive end. That's not the top 20 of the 2026 draft class — that's top 20 across all defensive ends of the last 40 years.
On Thursday, Dani Dennis-Sutton produced one of the top NFL Combine performances for a defensive end prospect in the last 40 years 🤯
— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) February 27, 2026
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Dani Dennis-Sutton ranks 15th among defensive ends at the NFL Combine since 1987
The Relative Athletic Score (RAS) is a composite metric used in assessing NFL prospects. It's based on a 10-point scale and Dennis-Sutton was .04 away from perfection. He scored a 9.96 following his combine performance and was ranked 15th among all defensive ends since 1987.
According to his RAS, Dennis-Sutton earned an elite composite explosion grade and speed grade. The only area he did not make it into the elite rankings was his composite size grade at six-foot-5.5-inches and 255 pounds.
In terms of testing, Dennis-Sutton was nothing but impressive. He posted a 39-5 vertical, 10-11 broad jump, 4.63 40-yard dash, 2.67 (unofficial) 20-yard split, 1.64 (unofficial) 10-yard split, and a 6.9 3-cone drill.
Among defensive ends in his class, his broad jump was good for first, his vertical ranked fourth, and his 40-yard dash time was fifth-best. In fact, his 40-yard dash time was better than quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes' and Dak Prescott's times at their respective combines.
290-pound Penn State DT Zane Durant just out ran Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott at the combine 🫢
— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) February 26, 2026
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Dennis-Sutton is a powerhouse, no question. Whether the 2025 Penn State season went in the Nittany Lions' favor or not, the senior defensive end shined regardless. The NFL Combine was only another opportunity to show teams and scouts that Penn State's overall 2025 season doesn't define his play-making abilities or talent.
As a senior, Dennis-Sutton logged 42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 saks, three passes defensed, and three forced fumbles. The year prior in 2024, he registered 42 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception. Clearly, the season doesn't define Dennis-Sutton.