Former Penn State Star Dani Dennis-Sutton Has Breakout NFL Game

The Penn State Nittany Lions had a disappointing 7-6 season in 2025, but some of their players played well and went on to the NFL.

Linebacker Dani Dennis-Sutton is one of those players, and he is making an impact in his rookie year with the Green Bay Packers. Dennis-Sutton had the best game of his NFL career thus far in Week 5 against the Chicago Bears, as he recorded three total tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery.

Dennis-Sutton is a productive pass rusher and is proving his value in his rookie campaign.

He could have his game elevated to another level later in the season when former Nittany Lions star Micah Parsons returns to the field for the Packers. Parsons commands a ton of attention from offensive lines, which will open up more one-on-one opportunities for Green Bay's other pass rushers like Dennis-Sutton.

The Packers selected Dennis-Sutton in the fourth round of the NFL Draft after four quality seasons with Penn State. In his freshman season, he had 17 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, a pass deflection, and an interception.

He was solid again in 2023, finishing with 26 total tackles, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a pass deflection, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Dennis-Sutton had a breakout year in 2024, recording 42 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three pass deflections, an interception, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

He had another strong season in 2025 for the Nittany Lions, posting 42 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and three forced fumbles. Given his consistency at Penn State, it's shocking that he wasn't drafted before the fourth round.

Dennis-Sutton is proving to be a productive player and has the potential to become a star in the NFL. The 22-year-old will look to continue developing throughout the season and be impactful in his professional career, as he was at Penn State.

The Nittany Lions miss Dennis-Sutton's production on defense, with only eight sacks as a team through six games. Penn State has had a rough stretch over the last few weeks, losing three straight after starting the season 3-0.

The Nittany Lions will look to bounce back and finish the season strong, while Dennis-Sutton continues to make an impact off the edge for the Packers.