Zane Durant

Our College Grade

How good he was in college at what his position is supposed to do, out of 100. Scored against everyone else at his position, adjusted for the level he played at. This is not his NFL grade.

College Production

Penn State · Big Ten

The seasons in our college data. It does not always reach back to a player's first year.

Scouting Report

Penn State · 2026 draft class

Zane Durant brings explosive athleticism to Penn State's interior defensive line, possessing jaw-dropping athletic tools with a 4.66 forty time at 286 pounds that translates to an explosive first step-jumping off the ball like shot from a cannon. His built-in leverage advantage allows him to get underneath taller offensive linemen's pads, turning what some call a height disadvantage at 6-1 into a weapon when firing off the line. Durant shows flashe's of dominant gap penetration, particularly evident in the Northwestern game where he lived in the backfield and wrecked their offensive gameplan. His natural weight distribution and core strength enable him to anchor against the run much better than his 290-pound frame would suggest. Durant's motor runs scalding hot-consistently chasing screens, pursuing backside runs, and maintaining energy deep into the fourth quarter when others are gassed. His versatility to align at multiple techniques gives defensive coordinators chess piece potential, sliding from 1-tech to 3-tech depending on situation and scheme. He displays lateral quickness and unexpected change-of-direction skills when working stunts or countering against reach blocks. However, Durant lacks ideal length for the position, leaving him vulnerable when offensive linemen get hands on him first. His hand usage remains inconsistent-flashing violent, well-placed strikes in some reps but getting caught with passive hands against savvy blockers. He struggles with anchor consistency when facing dedicated double teams, occasionally getting washed out of his gap against bigger combo blocks. His pass rush arsenal is still developing, relying heavily on burst and occasionally stalling when initial move is countered. Durant earned All-Big Ten recognition and projects as a Day 3 interior defensive lineman.

Honors

All-Big 12; All-Big Ten