Tom Allen was acquainted with Dani Dennis-Sutton well before he became Penn State’s defensive coordinator. As the former head coach at Indiana, Allen observed from the visitors’ sideline at Beaver Stadium last fall when Dani Dennis-Sutton thwarted the Hoosiers’ attempt at an upset.
In a closely contested game late in the fourth quarter, with Indiana tied against Penn State, Drew Allar’s touchdown pass put the Nittany Lions ahead. Allen’s Hoosiers had just under two minutes to mount a game-tying drive when Dennis-Sutton overpowered his blocker, sacked quarterback Brendan Sorsby, and forced a fumble to seal the victory for Penn State.
Asked about that play at last week’s preseason media day, Allen smiled and nodded, acknowledging that Dennis-Sutton “did a lot of great things” in 2023. Now that Allen has the chance to coach him, he is eager to see even more from Dennis-Sutton. With Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac moving on to the NFL, Dennis-Sutton is expected to step into a starting role and is projected as a potential breakout star and first-round draft pick.
“It’s time for him to elevate his game another step,” Allen said. “He’s viewed as the guy. You have to live up to that. He has to embrace the opportunity in front of him.”
Dennis-Sutton has been preparing for this chance to prove himself as one of the top edge rushers not only in the Big Ten but nationally. His potential was evident during his high school career, where he was a five-star recruit courted by Georgia and Alabama before choosing Penn State. He made an impact right away, being named an ESPN True Freshman All-American with three sacks, three hurries, and an interception during his rookie season, contributing to Penn State’s 11-2 record.
In his sophomore year, although he was behind Robinson and Isaac on the depth chart, Dennis-Sutton saw significant playing time, especially after Robinson’s injury and Peach Bowl opt-out. He registered six tackles for loss (3 1/2 sacks), two forced fumbles, and two pass breakups, often creating opportunities for others with his disruptive presence.
Allen wants Dennis-Sutton’s flashes of brilliance to become consistent: “He showed flashes of it a year ago. But I want to see that consistently because that’s what we need.”
With Robinson and Isaac leaving, there’s a gap in production. Robinson and Isaac combined for 44 1/2 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, and their departures pose a significant challenge. However, Penn State benefits from Abdul Carter transitioning from linebacker to edge rusher, while Dennis-Sutton is working hard to elevate his game and meet high expectations.
“The biggest thing I’ve seen is the game is slowing down for him,” said defensive line coach Deion Barnes. “He’s starting to recognize things he wouldn’t have as a freshman or sophomore. His confidence and football IQ have grown, and he’s addressing his areas of improvement.”
Allen added, “He’s a guy who cares. When I first got here, I talked to all the strength coaches and staff, and his name kept coming up. He holds himself and his teammates accountable. He’s someone we can count on every week.”