Pair of Penn State leaders land on Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list as expectations rise for Nittany Lions

The Penn State Nittany Lions are among the favorites to win the national championship in 2025, putting James Franklin in uncharted territory. The Nittany Lions have been considered fringe contenders and darkhorses, but bringing back a cast of veterans on both sides of the ball has put them in a new spot. This is a great opportunity for the top stars we know to take advantage of and continue to grow their brand and impact.

One way we can measure the strength of a program is how often its most recognizable producers are identified in award lists. Penn State has two defensive stars on the Bronco Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List, which is only trailing Georgia, Texas, and Oregon. Defensive tackle Zane Durant and cornerback A.J. Harris are the honorees.

Durant returned to Penn State despite receiving Day 2 grades in the 2025 NFL Draft. The 292-pound tackle blossomed into a bigger role last year, totaling 42 tackles and three sacks in 2024. He has some pass-rushing chops beyond his finishing ability, though, reaching 28 pressures on the season.

His run defense could use some improvement, though. As an undersized defender for his position, his career missed tackle rate of 20.8% is a major concern that must be addressed. However, it's not all bad, as he racked up 27 run stops. Consistency will be key

Harris was a shrewd addition by the voters for the award. The former Georgia defender immediately flourished with the Nittany Lions despite very limited time on the field in 2023. An elite cover man who limited offenses to a 56.5% completion rate and only one touchdown when targeted, Harris is a major threat every play.

His playmaking and ball skills aren't there yet, but some of that is because Harris was used all over the field in 2024. His usage under Jim Knowles' defense might be different. My guess is that Harris becomes a true CB1 for Knowles and rarely travels across the field, maximizing his presence as a shutdown defender.