Zane Durant has been a four-year veteran of Penn State’s defensive interior since he arrived on campus in 2022. The former four-star out of Lake Nona HS (FL) has improved year over year in his statistical output and technical abilities since arriving at Happy Valley. By 2025, being named to the Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophy Award watchlists confirmed what the tape already suggested: that Durant is a rare athletic specimen capable of dominating on the field.
The hallmark of Durant’s game is a get-off that borders on unprecedented for a defensive tackle. He possesses an explosive first step that often sees him across the line of scrimmage before interior offensive linemen can finish their second step. His vertical burst and lateral speed are video-game-like. He can shoot gaps and wreak havoc in the backfield, yet his aggressive nature can lead to overpursuit on delayed handoffs or draw plays. Arm length is a concern, though he compensates for that with a compact and powerful frame that makes him difficult to stop if he gets past the first wave of linemen. He is at his most dangerous when he can get under a guard’s pads and rush right past them to collapse the pocket from the inside out.
Durant is not a finished product; however, when the initial burst is neutralized. His short arms consistently lead to inconsistency in hand placement, and he occasionally struggles to maintain blocks against longer-limbed linemen who strike first. In pass-rushing scenarios, he relies heavily on his speed rather than counter or spin moves. Though he may still be developing in some areas, his mental processing is sharp in recognizing play development. He has a lateral speed that allows him to pursue a quarterback’s weapons effectively, uncannily quickly for a defensive tackle.
Scheme and Team Fit:
Durant would thrive in a 4-3 one-gap defense that runs heavy blitz packages. He would be an ideal candidate to add to the New York Jets’ defensive front, to pair alongside Quinnen Williams, for example. His speed would be his greatest weapon, and as such, other fits would be with the San Francisco 49ers, who are known for gap-shooting defenses.
NFL Player Comparison: Ed Oliver (Buffalo Bills)
Like Oliver, Durant uses quick lateral moves and an unrelenting amount of speed to get by his opponents. Oliver is also known for his
Projection: High-End Starter
Durant’s ceiling is questionable; his unorthodox style of play for the position may limit his effectiveness in certain man-to-man or zone coverage formations. For this reason, teams may hesitate to use a premium first or second round pick on him. It is safer to say he is a day-two to day-three pick than anything else. If used effectively in the right system, he has the potential to become a Pro Bowler at best, and at worst, a solid rotational piece for a blitz-focused defense. There is always room for improvement, and Durant could very well be the hidden gem of day two.
Grade and Round Projection: 4.8 out of 6, Round 4 Pick
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