Penn State DE’s eligibility request denied, ending college career

We are learning the future plans of another veteran Penn State football defender almost a month after the NFL Draft deadline. According to multiple reports on Tuesday, Nittany Lions fifth-year defensive end Amin Vanover has begun his NFL Draft preparation after the NCAA denied his request for an additional year of eligibility.

Vanover’s status was first reported by Sean Fitz of Blue White Illustrated and later confirmed by Lions247’s Tyler Donohue. The Newark, New Jersey, native has yet to make a public announcement.

Penn State defensive end Amin Vanover has shifted focus toward NFL preparation after his NCAA eligibility waiver was denied, @Lions247 learned Tuesday morning via a program official.

The Nittany Lions had been "hopeful" he would get a sixth season. Story: https://t.co/1Ty2rFalVa

— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) February 11, 2025

A former three-star recruit, Vanover arrived in Happy Valley during the shortened 2020 season. He played in eight games over his first two years with the Nittany Lions before expanding his role in 2022. In and out of the lineup in 2023, Vanover appeared in all 16 games last fall.

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Vanover finishes his Penn State football career with 50 total tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.

Penn State football NFL Draft tracker

© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

A defense-heavy Draft class, Amin Vanover becomes the seventh Nittany Lions defender to turn pro since the end of the regular season. We now know of eight members of the Penn State football program who are preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft.

NFL Draft declarations:

KJ Winston, S – declared for NFL Draft on December 12.

Abdul Carter, DE – declared for NFL Draft on January 10.

Jalen Kimber, CB – declared for NFL Draft on January 12.

Jaylen Reed, S – declared for NFL Draft on January 12.

Kobe King, LB – declared for NFL Draft on January 14.

Sal Wormley, OL – declared for NFL Draft on January 14.

Coziah Izzard, DT – declared for the NFL Draft on January 18.

Amin Vanover, DE – eligibility request denied on February 11.

Players returning for 2025:

Drew Allar, QB – announced return on December 16.

Zakee Wheatley, S – announced return on December 23.

Zane Durant, DT – announced return on January 11.

Nicholas Singleton, RB – announced return on January 13.

Kaytron Allen, RB – announced return on January 13.

Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE – announced return on January 13.

Smith Vilbert, DE – announced return on January 14.

Nick Dawkins, OL – announced return on January 14.

Gabe Nwosu, K – announced return on January 15.

Ryan Barker, K – announced return on January 15.

Riley Thompson, P – announced return on January 15.

Tyler Duzansky, LS – announced return on January 15.

Dom DeLuca, LB – announced return on January 15.

JB Nelson, OL – announced return on January 15.

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