Penn State football’s defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, defensive tackle Zane Durant, and cornerback A.J. Harris were named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list on Monday. The award is presented annually to the best defensive player in college football.

Dennis-Sutton has appeared in 42 games for the Nittany Lions, with 17 starts. The senior has recorded 85 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and five pass breakups. Last season, he was tied for fifth in the Big Ten in tackles for loss with 13, and tied for sixth in sacks with 8.5.

Durant has appeared in 42 games in his career, with 28 starts. He has tallied 64 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup. The senior has three career games with multiple tackles for loss.

The Lake Nona, Florida, native was ranked second last season in the Big Ten with 11 tackles for loss, and tied for first with three sacks. Durant was also named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy watch lists in the preseason.

Harris played in all 16 games last season, finishing with 48 tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception, and five pass breakups. He was voted All-Big Ten third team in 2024 and named to the Nagurski Trophy watch list this offseason.

The Bednarik Award will announce semifinalists on November 11 and narrow down to three finalists on November 25. The winner will be announced live on ESPN on December 11.