Dani Dennis-Sutton looked like a superstar off the edge in Week 1 for new Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, and that was without his running mate on the field. Now in his sixth year with Penn State, Zuriah Fisher missed all of last season with an injury and was out in Week 1 as Penn State handled Nevada 46-11 at Beaver Stadium.
Now, Fisher is set to make his return to the field in Week 2 with the Nittany Lions hosting FIU on Saturday afternoon in Happy Valley. After spending years buried in a deep edge rusher rotation, the veteran defensive end is finally getting his opportunity to start, and James Franklin has raved about him all offseason.
Franklin had more to say about Fisher this week, telling reporters on Monday, “We were hopeful to have Zuriah. I will say this: We got to the game, and Zuriah was excited and wanted to play. We kind of held him, just because at that point, he hadn’t practiced enough. And, we didn’t think that was the right thing to do for him or us. But my point is that, I think that explains how close he is, right?”
Then on Wednesday, he clarified that Fisher is a “go” for Week 2, but will likely still be limited.
Penn State has plenty of runway to build Fisher back up to game speed with FIU in town this weekend, Villanova coming to Happy Valley in Week 3, and a bye in Week 4 before the White Out game against Oregon. After playing 16 games last season along their run to the College Football Playoff Semifinal, the Nittany Lions have been smart about limiting their veteran players early in the season and giving younger players opportunities.
In Week 1, one of those younger players was true freshman Chaz Coleman, who has gotten the green light to burn his redshirt from Franklin and could be a key part of Penn State’s edge rusher rotation in 2025. If Fisher is limited again on Saturday or sits with the starters after helping to build a big lead over an outmatched opponent, Coleman should be one of the main beneficiaries.
Zuriah Fisher Week 2 injury update:
Penn State sixth-year senior defensive end Zuriah Fisher is a “go” for Week 2, according to James Franklin, but will be limited as he ramps up to game speed after missing all of last season.