Penn State DL opts out of Pinstripe Bowl, makes NFL Draft decision

Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Zane Durant. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Penn State DL Zane Durant opts out of Pinstripe Bowl, makes NFL Draft decision

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Dec 8, 2025 7:23 PM ET

The Penn State Nittany Lions will be playing the Pinstripe Bowl against the Clemson Tigers on Dec. 27.

It's a bowl game that features two of the biggest brands in college football, but two brands that sorely disappointed in 2025. Still, it's at least a way to go out on a high note, but things just got a bit harder for the Nittany Lions in that regard.

On Monday, senior defensive lineman Zane Durant announced that he'll be skipping the Pinstripe Bowl and will instead start preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft.

“For the past four years, I want to thank everyone that I got a chance to work with at Penn State,” Durant wrote on social media (h/t On3). “I also want to thank the Lord because without him this wouldn’t be possible. Thank you momma and pops for everything you instilled in me. I want to thank coach (James) Franklin for giving me the opportunity to attend Penn State, and for being a mentor and example to me. With that being said, I will be opting out of the bowl and declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.”

Penn State DT Zane Durant will not be playing in the Pinstripe Bowl pic.twitter.com/f9kosDOJ3f
— Lexie Linderman (@lexielinderman) December 8, 2025

Penn State Nittany Lions DL Zane Durant declaring for 2026 NFL Draft

Is the Pinstripe Bowl prestigious? Not really. Even the Pop-Tarts bowl is more hyped up nowadays.

Again, though, this is going to be an interesting bowl game between two massive brands that want to at least salvage this 2025 season with a win to close things out. That still has to mean something in this topsy-turvy college football environment.

The Nittany Lions finished the season 6-6 while head coach James Franklin was fired halfway through the campaign. He's now the head coach at Virginia Tech, while former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell is the new head man in Happy Valley.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has been feeling the pressure after a 7-5 season that saw the Tigers lose to programs like Syracuse, SMU, Georgia Tech and Duke.

As far as Durant is concerned, it's worth noting that Tankathon seems to think he'll be a fourth-round draft pick. He played in 54 of a potential 54 games in four seasons at Penn State and notched 89 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and 10 sacks. Oh, and he also notched an interception.

98-yard scoring drive by Penn State was launched by this 4th and 1 stop by Zane Durant.

Big play to start Durant’s last game at Beaver Stadium. pic.twitter.com/f79FqSEtCe
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) November 23, 2025