‘Unfinished business’: Penn State DT Zane Durant motivated for senior season

STATE COLLEGE — James Franklin was abundantly clear last season when talking about Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant.

He felt Durant had been one of the nation’s most underrated defenders, causing havoc and disruption on the interior more than he was credited for. Durant came away with just three sacks, but his 11 tackles for loss and 42 total tackles were a better indicator of the role he played for the Nittany Lions.

That’s why it would have made perfect sense to see Durant take off for the NFL. The 6-foot-1, 292-pounder made strides last season not only on the field but also physically, adding weight and muscle to fit his frame better and stop the run at a higher rate.

But he opted for an extra year in Happy Valley, his final one, alongside fellow future NFL-bound teammates like Drew Allar, Nick Singleton and Dani Dennis-Sutton.

Experiencing the high of a deep College Football Playoff run, culminating in a crushing semifinal loss, left Durant with “a lot of unfinished business” in the blue and white.

“My goal when I started playing football was to make it to the NFL. So, obviously, with me having the opportunity, it was a hard decision for myself,” Durant said at Penn State’s practice Tuesday. “I really want to go to the league and things of that nature, but I feel I had a lot of stuff that I didn’t accomplish here, that I want to accomplish, which, ultimately, led to me coming back.”

Durant struggled a bit to make as big an impact, at least statistically, down the stretch. He did not record a sack through four postseason games and had only two tackles for loss among seven total tackles.

“I expect my season to be better than last year. That’s why I came back,” he said. “I feel like I didn’t finish the way I wanted to or do the things that I dreamed of accomplishing, my goals and stuff like that. That’s really what played the role for me coming back.”

Among those goals? To be the best defensive tackle in America, to earn an All-American selection and to win a national championship. The Lake Nona, Fla., native earned just honorable mention All-Big Ten honors a season ago.

“Doing everything in my power to do that,” Durant said.

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In order to reach those goals, Durant highlighted his pass-rushing counter move as a key area of his game he’s searching to improve this offseason. He’ll also need to be a leader in a young defensive tackle group for Penn State.

Durant and Alonzo Ford Jr., still recovering from a late-season injury, are the only returnees with more than 55 snaps during the 2024 season, according to PFF. Durant finished with 658, and Ford finished with 186.

Luckily for Durant, leadership comes easily.

“I’ll say I’ve probably been a leader years past, since like my sophomore year I’ve been a vocal leader for guys. I lead by example. Everything I do,” he said. “I don’t really try to be a leader. I think it’s just kind of natural, guys following me, towards me.”

In spring practices thus far, second-year Xavier Gilliam (55 snaps) and Ty Blanding (53 snaps) have been rotating closely with Durant. Kaleb Artis (23 snaps), De’Andre Cook (three snaps) and Michigan transfer Owen Wafle also could factor in.

Meanwhile, Durant has a close eye on early enrolling freshman Randy Adirika, whose early “humbling” moments offered a glimpse into the way Durant is handling his leadership style in an important senior season.

“I just tell them that’s what comes with it. I can’t really say too much because you’re ruining the process for them,” Durant said. “You’ve gotta get humbled and learn by yourself and build yourself back up with real confidence, not fake love. I kind of stay off of them, let them have their own thoughts, but still remind them, ‘Hey bro, everybody goes through it. It’s a part of football. Just keep working.’ ”