Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
Size:
Height: 6’5” | Weight: 265 pounds
Accomplishments:
Third-Team All-Big Ten (2023) • Freshman All-American (2022) • Four-Star Recruit
“Dani Dennis-Sutton is an advanced run defender whose size and fundamental strength present the foundation for a high-floor run defender early in his career.”
Strengths:
Advanced run defender
Motor
Leverage
Bull rush/long arm
Concerns:
Get-off
Average athlete
Disengage off blocks
Pass-rush repertoire
- Bend
Film Analysis:
Dani Dennis-Sutton is an advanced run defender whose size and fundamental strength present the foundation for a high-floor run defender early in his career. Aligned primarily outside the tackle during his time in the Nittany Lions defense, Dennis-Sutton projects as a bit of a tweener at this point in his evaluation due to limited explosiveness and being undersized to slide inside to 3-tech.
Against the run, Dennis-Sutton showcases the ability to win the leverage battle quickly, often presenting him the opportunity to make plays at or near the line of scrimmage. He often aligns in a four-point stance (both hands in the dirt) to maximize get-off and pop when engaging with blockers. Does not tout the play strength to move opposing linemen and will often stalemate when his legs stop. Does a nice job of stacking/shedding opposing blockers. There are multiple instances of him being blocked by tight ends isolated, however (Oregon). High-level motor and always hunting to make a play on the football. Excellent job of retracing and working back to the second level against the run. Good instincts and discipline as a weak side defender when asked to stay home or cut off any backside cut lanes.
As a pass-rusher, Dennis-Sutton showcases a power-laden game with a willingness to evolve his pass rush as the game progresses to mix up looks. Not explosive off the line of scrimmage but does a nice job of winning with his hands to establish leverage. Flexibility is an area for improvement that would help him bend the edge. Athleticism is average, as well. Flashes a powerful bull rush and an inside spin move to keep tackles off-balance.
Concerns remain about Dennis-Sutton’s production against more athletic and experienced offensive tackles (both vs. run/pass). He’s a powerful athlete but will play high at times, leaving a large amount of surface area for linemen to target. He has less than adequate bend and a pass-rush repertoire that can be classified as unrefined at this point in time. Teams that require immediate help on the edge in the run game will value Dennis-Sutton, but he remains a work in progress on passing downs.
Overall, Dennis-Sutton is an advanced run defender whose size and fundamental strength present the foundation for a high-floor run defender early in his career. Development is needed as a pass rusher, but Dennis-Sutton’s alignment versatility and constantly hot motor will pave the way for snaps from a variety of alignments.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Developmental Traits
Written by: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: Ohio State (2024), Oregon CC (2024), USC (2024), Maryland (2024), Ohio State (2023), Michigan (2023), Northwestern (2023), Ole Miss (2023)
