After being denied another year of collegiate eligibility by the NCAA, Penn State football defensive end Amin Vanover declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Vanover was a member of the 2020 recruitment class and was regarded as a three-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite rankings. He was rated as the No. 10 recruit in New Jersey and the No. 24 strong-side defensive end in the country. Vanover chose Penn State over Georgia, Virginia Tech, and Texas A&M.

“Ideal frame with length and ability to add size. Move to defensive tackle likely in college and can easily play at 290 pounds. Quick first step and explodes well when he stays low. Gets down line of scrimmage when offensive tackle blocks down. Has speed for backside pursuit,” 247Sports’ Brian Dohn wrote about a high school Vanover.

Dohn projected Vanover to enter the NFL as an undrafted free agent and linked him to Houstan Texans defensive end Denico Autry.

Throughout his five seasons in Happy Valley, Vanover appeared in 45 games and accumulated 50 tackles, two forced fumbles, six sacks, and 11.5 tackles for loss.

The defensive end was limited to just two games during his freshman season in 2020. Vanover appeared in six games during his second season and made strides the following year, totaling 16 tackles, five tackles for loss, and a sack in 2022.

Injuries plagued Vanover’s 2023 campaign and limited him to just eight games, where he totaled six tackles, two tackles for loss, and one and a half sacks.

Vanover’s best season came during his senior year. He played in all 16 games and racked up a career-high 21 tackles, three-and-a-half sacks, and a forced fumble. He also logged 432 snaps at defensive end in 2024, behind only Dani Dennis-Sutton and Abdul Carter.

Measuring in at 6’4″ and 258 pounds, Vanover possesses the physical tangibles to compete at the professional level. During Penn State’s Pro Day, Vanover clocked a 4.76 40-yard dash, a 9’6″ broad jump, and a 30-inch vertical.

His combination of length and explosiveness as a rusher makes him an intriguing prospect. Vanover employs a quick first step and utilizes his long wingspan to gain leverage over opposing linemen. He relies on his bull rush and deploys rips, spins, two-handed swipes, and swims in his rushes.

“Vanover possesses an intriguing frame but lacks elite athleticism. His pad level rises quickly after the snap, and his stiff hips prevent him from bending under and around offensive linemen. He struggles to halt his momentum and redirect in a timely manner,” Samuel Teets of Chiefs Wire wrote.

Vanover is ranked the No. 373 overall player on the 2025 consensus big board. He is projected to be a late-round selection or enter the NFL as an undrafted free agent.

“Vanover could be a nice developmental option to stash on the practice squad or back end of the roster,” Teets wrote.

The NFL draft begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, and ends on Saturday, April 26, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. All seven rounds will be televised by ESPN and the NFL Network.