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Penn State is set to be well-represented at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, and it starts at the beginning with a pair of star defensive linemen. Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant will be some of the first players to go through the full combine experience as each hopes to prove to NFL scouts and coaches why they should be an early-round draft pick at the next level. We previously took a quick look at Dennis-Sutton and his combine outlook, but Durant may be the more interesting prospect of the two.
Durant enters the combine with a bit more to prove after a supposed drop-off in 2025. It was only a year ago Durant was being talked about as a possible first-round draft pick, but that is no longer the outlook as the combine approaches. Can Durant reshape his draft stock with a solid showing at the combine?
Here is a quick rundown of NFL draft prospect Zane Durant as he prepares for the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Check out the full 2026 NFL Scouting Combine schedule for Penn State draft prospects.
Over the course of his four seasons with Penn State, Zane Durant saw steady improvement with his sack count by adding one more than each previous season. Durant's best season was his 2024 season with a career-best 11.0 tackles for loss and 42 total tackles in 16 games played during Penn State's run to the College Football Playoff semifinal round.
Durant's stats dropped off a bit overall in the 2025 season with fewer solo and total tackles compared to his stellar 2024 season. His TFL count also dropped off despite his sack count improving.
After a terrific 2024 season as a dominant force up front for the Penn State defensive line, Durant's stats declined a bit more than anticipated in 2025. Despite the statistical decline, Durant's ability to create havoc was noticeable enough times to suggest he has what it will take to play at the next level. Durant wasn't as much of a factor up front as had been expected of him last season but he did still receive honorable mentions for All-Big Ten at the end of the season.
Durant opted out of Penn State's appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl at the end of the season so he could get a jump on preparing for the NFL draft circuit.
Had Durant declared for the NFL draft a year ago, odds are decent he could have been a late first-round pick or a near lock for a second-round draft selection. Now, entering the 2026 NFL draft, the outlook is a bit more pessimistic in the updated mock drafts. Durant is commonly listed in the later rounds of the draft, most commonly with a fifth-round draft projection. He has also been considered a potential undrafted free agent by some, in which case he could be a nice pickup for an NFL team looking to fill out its roster after the draft concludes.
As we previously noted, Zane Durant will not be the only Nittany Lion in the combine pool of defensive linemen this year. He will be joined in Indianapolis by linemate Dani Dennis-Sutton, who appears to have a more optimistic draft outlook coming into the combine. Durant certainly has a good opportunity in front of him to build up his draft stock in a competitive position group.
Other notable defensive linemen attending the combine this year include Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), Caden Curry (Ohio State), Jack Plyburn (LSU), Keldric Faulk (Auburn), Zion Young (Missouri), Kayden McDonald (Ohio State), Caleb Banks (Florida), and Peter Woods (Clemson).
Zane Durant has some good qualities that scouts have been taking notice of in reviewing his draft stock. Durant demonstrates some good pass-rush skills and is noted for getting a good jump on plays with a solid first step. He has been a bit of an up-and-down player in pass rusher, but scouts are seemingly a bit more on the negative side of Durant's scouting report in this area. What scouts have noted as Durant's negatives start with his size. Durant is considered a tad on the smaller side for an NFL defensive lineman, and that hurts his skill in when defending against the run.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: NFL Combine profile for Penn State DE Zane Durant
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Durant enters the combine with a bit more to prove after a supposed drop-off in 2025. It was only a year ago Durant was being talked about as a possible first-round draft pick, but that is no longer the outlook as the combine approaches. Can Durant reshape his draft stock with a solid showing at the combine?
Here is a quick rundown of NFL draft prospect Zane Durant as he prepares for the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Check out the full 2026 NFL Scouting Combine schedule for Penn State draft prospects.
Career Stats
| Season | Games | Solo | Total | TFL | Sack | FF | FR |
| 2022 | 13 | 1 | 5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 5.5 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 16 | 22 | 42 | 11.0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 12 | 14 | 25 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
Over the course of his four seasons with Penn State, Zane Durant saw steady improvement with his sack count by adding one more than each previous season. Durant's best season was his 2024 season with a career-best 11.0 tackles for loss and 42 total tackles in 16 games played during Penn State's run to the College Football Playoff semifinal round.
Durant's stats dropped off a bit overall in the 2025 season with fewer solo and total tackles compared to his stellar 2024 season. His TFL count also dropped off despite his sack count improving.
Quick 2025 season summary
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After a terrific 2024 season as a dominant force up front for the Penn State defensive line, Durant's stats declined a bit more than anticipated in 2025. Despite the statistical decline, Durant's ability to create havoc was noticeable enough times to suggest he has what it will take to play at the next level. Durant wasn't as much of a factor up front as had been expected of him last season but he did still receive honorable mentions for All-Big Ten at the end of the season.
Durant opted out of Penn State's appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl at the end of the season so he could get a jump on preparing for the NFL draft circuit.
Initial NFL draft projections
Had Durant declared for the NFL draft a year ago, odds are decent he could have been a late first-round pick or a near lock for a second-round draft selection. Now, entering the 2026 NFL draft, the outlook is a bit more pessimistic in the updated mock drafts. Durant is commonly listed in the later rounds of the draft, most commonly with a fifth-round draft projection. He has also been considered a potential undrafted free agent by some, in which case he could be a nice pickup for an NFL team looking to fill out its roster after the draft concludes.
Other Notable Players in Position Group
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As we previously noted, Zane Durant will not be the only Nittany Lion in the combine pool of defensive linemen this year. He will be joined in Indianapolis by linemate Dani Dennis-Sutton, who appears to have a more optimistic draft outlook coming into the combine. Durant certainly has a good opportunity in front of him to build up his draft stock in a competitive position group.
Other notable defensive linemen attending the combine this year include Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), Caden Curry (Ohio State), Jack Plyburn (LSU), Keldric Faulk (Auburn), Zion Young (Missouri), Kayden McDonald (Ohio State), Caleb Banks (Florida), and Peter Woods (Clemson).
Strengths and Weaknesses
Zane Durant has some good qualities that scouts have been taking notice of in reviewing his draft stock. Durant demonstrates some good pass-rush skills and is noted for getting a good jump on plays with a solid first step. He has been a bit of an up-and-down player in pass rusher, but scouts are seemingly a bit more on the negative side of Durant's scouting report in this area. What scouts have noted as Durant's negatives start with his size. Durant is considered a tad on the smaller side for an NFL defensive lineman, and that hurts his skill in when defending against the run.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: NFL Combine profile for Penn State DE Zane Durant
Continue reading...
