James Franklin labels Zane Durant as a ‘disruptive’ defensive tackle

One of the most underrated players for Penn State football this season has been defensive tackle Zane Durant. A position that typically doesn’t get much glory on the stat sheet. However, Durant has changed the narrative this fall and has created another problem for opposing offenses to account for according to Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin.

Zane Durant currently leads the Penn State football team in sacks this season with 2.5 sacks. He has been a major force on the defensive line this season. In a year where many thought it would be Abdul Carter or Dani Dennis-Sutton leading the way so far it has been Durant. During his press conference on Monday, James Franklin provided his insight to what Durant has done this fall.

“Yeah, I’ve been impressed with those guys across the board,” Franklin said Monday afternoon. “I think your point is a good one in terms of Zane. I think we’ve gotten used to, around here, defensive ends being disruptive. I don’t know the last time we’ve had a defensive tackle as disruptive as Zane, and now that makes it challenging, right? You’ve got a guy inside that you’re watching on tape and it’s a concern. Now you’ve got D-ends on either side that can be problematic. Where are you going to pick your poison?

“You can’t double them all, and if you do, then your back is not getting out or your running back, excuse me, or your tight end is not getting out. We do some chipping as well and things like that, but a lot of times when you keep guys in, people are going to add on. So that’s not really always the solution…”

Depth has kept Durant fresh

© Grace Carella / Basic Blues Nation, 2024.

While it has been a breakout season for Zane Durant there is an element of development at play at the defensive tackle position. Players such as Alonzo Ford have been a large part of the rotation that has kept Durant fresh.

Ford the former Old Dominion transfer had seven tackles against UCLA this past Saturday.

“You want to try to get five guys out whenever you possibly can,” James Franklin stated. “I do think Zane changes things for us and changes things for our opponents and makes it more difficult. I also think the depth that we have at D-tackle and the size that we have at D-tackle has been helpful. Not only for the unit and for the productivity, but also to keep Zane fresh as well.

“Deion [Barnes] is doing a really nice job, him and Torrence [Brown]. I think that position has done a really nice job and I think Zane has been a guy that I think is becoming more and more of a leader on our team and specifically on our defense.”

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