Penn State All 105: Dani Dennis-Sutton Could be Nearing Big NFL Payday

Originally posted on Nittany Sports Now | By Joe Smeltzer | Last updated Jun 17, 2024 8:59 AM ET

Most defensive end rooms would struggle after losing two players to the NFL Draft over an offseason but thanks in part to Dani Dennis-Sutton, that’s not a concern for Penn State.

Sutton came to PSU as a five-star recruit in the program’s celebrated 2022 Class.

He showed flashes as a true freshman and did well in an increased role in Year 2.

Now, with Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac both gone to the NFL, Dennis-Sutton will almost surely be one of Penn State’s starters, with the other one almost surely being Abdul Carter, who moved over from LB over the winter.

Dennis-Sutton is the latest subject of All 105, a Nittany Sports Now series profiling each Penn State player.

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 270 pounds

Hometown: Millsboro, Delaware

Before Penn State: Dani Dennis-Sutton had a lot of eyes on him coming into Penn State, and its because of what he accomplished at Owings Mills, Maryland’s McDonough School.

Dennis-Sutton played all four years and twice became a team captain. As a sophomore, he helped McDonough to an 11-1 record and runner-up finish in the Maryland A Conference.

He then went through adversity during his upperclassmen years. Dennis-Sutton’s junior season never happened due to COVID-19, and he missed part of his senior year due to injury.

Nonetheless, he played well enough as a senior to be selected to the 2022 All-American Bowl.

247Sports, On3 and Rivals all had Dennis-Sutton as the No. 1 Class of 2022 player in Maryland, and Rivals had him as the No. 1 strong side defensive end and No. 11 overall player in the country.

At the time he committed to Penn State in July 2021, Rivals had him as a five-star recruit while the other three gave him four stars.

Eventually, Dennis-Sutton got that fifth star from 247 and On.3.

2022: ESPN.com named Dennis-Sutton to its All-America team. He played all 13 games ending with three sacks, 17 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, an interception, a pass breakup and three quarterback hurries.

Last year: Dennis-Sutton was an All-Big Ten performer. He played in all 13 games, starting three and getting plenty of playing time due to coordinator Manny Diaz installing a three-defensive end set. Dennis-Sutton ended the season with 26 tackles (17 solo), 3.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, two QB hurries and a broken up pass.

Where he stands: The question isn’t if Dennis-Sutton can play, it’s how good he can get. With a big year in 2024, there’s no reason to think Dennis-Sutton can’t fellow in Chop Robinson’s footsteps and become a first round pick.

A quote by Dennis-Sutton: “I was already a strong guy but a lot of times, I would get caught in the wrong position … things like that,” Dennis-Sutton on his high-pad level via Bob Flounders of PennLive.

A quote about Dennis-Sutton: ”He’s 270 pounds, he’s physical, extremely physical. I think he’s going to have a really big year for us.” — Penn State HC James Franklin to media after a spring practice this April.

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RB Amiel Davis

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RB Cameron Wallace

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LB Ta’Mere Robinson