Penn State’s 2025 Defense Will Mix Returning Talent With Fresh Energy
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has plenty to work with in his first season with the Nittany Lions.
For the third time in four seasons, Penn State will have a new defensive coordinator at the helm. The Nittany Lions made former Ohio State coordinator Jim Knowles the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football, expecting that he can help the program win a national championship next season. Knowles’ defense at Ohio State was instrumental to the Buckeyes’ championship run, and now he’ll look to work the same magic in Happy Valley.
“This is the place because everything here is so close to winning it all, and I’m hopeful that I can help get it there,” Knowles said during his introductory press conference.
Knowles said he thinks he can be of service to the program toward the goal. Here’s how Knowles’ Penn State defense looks entering his first year at the helm.
Penn State’s key defensive returners
The defensive line could be one of Penn State’s best position groups next season, as end Dani Dennis-Sutton and tackle Zane Durant announced their returns for 2025. Dennis-Sutton turned in 8.5 sacks last season and seemed to get better as the year went on, culminating in two sacks and an interception against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. Durant enjoyed a career-high 42 tackles and three sacks, though those numbers don’t reflect how disruptive he was on Penn State’s interior.
Additionally, defensive end Smith Vilbert will return for his seventh season in 2025, providing the Nittany Lions quality depth and potentially a starting option. Vilbert has had flashes in his career and played in all 16 games as a backup last season. The team will need a new starting end to replace All-American Abdul Carter, and Vilbert will at least be in the conversation to take that role.
Special teams ace and starting linebacker Dom DeLuca will be back as a redshirt senior, which should be a boost for the linebacking corps. The former walk-on has a knack for making big plays, including two interceptions (one for a touchdown) against SMU in the first round of the playoffs. He’ll likely join Tony Rojas as a starting linebacker, with the third linebacker spot up for grabs between several young players.
Safety Zakee Wheatley will return for his senior season as the leader of Penn State’s secondary. He was the team’s third-leading tackler last year and has a knack for forcing turnovers with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. With safeties Jaylen Reed and Kevin Winston Jr. headed to the NFL, getting Wheatley back next year is critical for Penn State’s defense.
