© Vincent Carchietta/Imagn
The Penn State Nittany Lions football program didn’t have the season it expected to in 2025. Nor did star defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton.
The Nittany Lions entered the season ranked No. 2 in the country, but fired head coach James Franklin after a hugely disappointing 3-3 start, and ultimately limped to a 6-6 record.
So it came as no surprise when a number of Penn State players, including multiple team captains and star players opted not to play against Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Not Dennis-Sutton, however.
The senior from Maryland began the season as a projected first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and while his stock faded, he’s still a likely second-day selection.
Despite that fact, Dennis-Sutton opted to suit up one more time for the Nittany Lions. He finished the day with four tackles and two sacks in a 22-10 victory over the Tigers, and afterwards, explained why he opted to play, and why he didn’t understand his teammates choosing not to.
Dani Dennis-Sutton Calls Out Penn State Teammates For Skipping Bowl
Not only did Sutton play against the Tigers, but he played all four quarters. Afterward, reporters asked him why he chose to play when so many others did not.
“We get into a bowl game, I’m playing. I made a dedication to this program, Coach T, Coach (James) Franklin, all these guys, that I’m going to play through this whole season,” he said.
“This program gave me a million opportunities, so playing in this game, this is nothing, man. I love football, I love this program, so it was sort of a no-brainer for me. I don’t really comprehend not playing in the game. It’s an opportunity for me to go out there for my boys one last time.
“And it was perfect.”
Interim head coach Terry Smith, who will remain on new head coach Matt Campbell’s staff, told members of the media that Dennis-Sutton informed him of his intention to play the bowl game right after Penn State’s regular season ended.
“He said, ‘Coach, I’m going to play in this game and I’m going to be the MVP,'” Smith said. “I know Trebor got the MVP, but Dani is my MVP because this guy didn’t have to play today.
“Guys of his caliber and magnitude, a lot of them just walk away and chase the next journey, and that’s OK. There’s nothing negative in that statement. But he chose to come back, and what an outstanding performance.”
That type of attitude, as well as Dennis-Sutton’s impressive performance, could turn fruitful in four months when teams are deciding where to select him in the NFL Draft.