Two Penn State football defensemen have been ruled either out or questionable for Saturday afternoon's game against Nevada. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET, and Zach Seyko reported on Twitter/X that Zuriah Fisher and Zion Tracy are not certain to play in the season opener.
Zuriah Fisher ruled out for Penn State season opener against Nevada
Seyko reported with under two hours to kickoff that the supposed starting defensive end opposite of Dani Dennis-Sutton was ruled out for Saturday's Week 1 matchup.
Fisher missed the 2024 season due to injury and excitement for a breakout 2025 campaign was brewing in Happy Valley. However, it seems that this significant piece of the Nittany Lion defense will need to wait until at least Week 2 to step into the spotlight.
In his place, true freshman Chaz Coleman and redshirt freshman Jaylen Harvey are expected to fill in that hole defensive end, according to Seyko.
Expect true freshman Chaz Coleman and RS freshman Jaylen Harvey to split reps in Fisher's absence. https://t.co/PdLNDgILS9
— Zach Seyko (@zach_seyko) August 30, 2025
Coleman received the "green light" from head coach James Franklin during Monday's press conference. The defensive end was a standout player during camp and earned the right to burn his redshirt. He was already expected to be a significant component for defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Now, Coleman will have to shake off true freshman nerves early and help hold down the fort against the Wolf Pack.
As for Harvey, he played in five games as a true freshman. He had two tackles, one of which was a tackle for loss against Purdue.
Nevada is part of Penn State's soft non-conference slate, but a thin defense is not favorable as the Nittany Lions progress throughout the season. Though Coleman is expected to be a star, Fisher's absence won't be unnoticeable if he's ruled out during Week 5 and beyond depending on the reasoning behind of Saturday's sidelining.
Cornerback Zion Tracy listed as questionable ahead of Saturday kickoff against Nevada
While not ruled out entirely, Tracy will take more of a backseat against the Wolf Pack on Saturday. Seyko said the junior slot cornerback will either have a limited role or be unavailable. In his place, a fellow junior Nittany Lion will need to take a larger step up from his familiar special teams appearances to slot cornerback in Knowles' defense. King Mack played in 13 games and recorded three tackles and one quarterback hurry during his limited time on defense.
Penn State slot cornerback Zion Tracy is listed as questionable.
— Zach Seyko (@zach_seyko) August 30, 2025
Look for King Mack to see a lot of time in that role if Tracy is limited or unavailable today vs. Nevada.
Mack did not earn the start next to safety Zakee Wheatley as redshirt freshman Antoione Belgrave-Shorter fought his way into the role in the fall. The junior was then expected to play in rotation with Dejuan Lane and Belgrave-Shorter, but Mack's Week 1 time will log in Tracy's place.
Tracy made four starts in 2024 over 16 total games played. He posted 35 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions with one pick six, and a pass break-up. He'll be another piece on the Penn State defense whose absence will be notable further down the season.