NFL Draft Profile | Zane Durant

For former Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant, all scouts and analysts can do is talk.

With Durant the hype has been there since high school. Coming out of Lake Nona High School in Orlando, Florida Durant was a four star recruit according to the 247 Sports Composite rankings in the class of 2022. Although he had interest from schools in his home state, Durant chose to come up north and be a Nittany Lion.

Durant’s progression at the college level was gradual through his first two years, Then, in year three, he broke out. Durant registered 42 total tackles and three sacks during the 2024-25 season. 

But, he was not done yet. In his senior campaign, Durant racked up 25 tackles for loss and 4 sacks, a career-best. Durant even had an interception in week one, showcasing his athleticism. 

By the time his career at Penn State was complete, Durant collected All-Big Ten Honorable Mentions in 2024 and 2025. 

Durant’s ability to be a game-wrecker garnered him plenty of attention, and further showcased his explosive power and skills at the NFL Combine. 

But, Durant wanted to change the narrative among 40-yard dash times at the combine. In Indianapolis, he ran a 4.75. When you consider that Durat stands at 6’1 ⅛” and weighs 290 lbs, that time is freakishly impressive. So impressive, in fact, that it was the fastest time out of all defensive linemen who worked out at the combine.

To cap off an already noteworthy Combine performance, Durant posted at 1.66 in the 10-Yard Split, a 33.5” Vertical Jump and a 9’4” Broad Jump.

Following the combine, Durant said that his speed proves “how fast I can get in and off of blocks and how fast I can chase down the ball.”

Durant also possesses phenomenal awareness that makes him immensely effective against screens and he has strong edge-to-edge ability on the rush when he is lined up on centers.

What Durant has been able to do at the Combine and Pro Day is the result of detailed preparation. 

“I was on a strict diet and a strict regime,” Durant told Roar+. “I just tried to get my body at the highest peak performance that it can have.” 

When it comes to his frame, Durant also noted that he has been working to “get lean” which he believes will make him “more violent and more explosive.”