“It was tough when Coach Franklin left. Obviously, it was an unfortunate situation,” Dennis-Sutton said at Hancock Whitney Stadium. “But I’m happy for Coach Franklin and his family. He’s happy there. He found a new home, a place that appreciates him.” The sentiment underscored the personal bonds Franklin forged with top recruits, including Dennis-Sutton.
Dennis-Sutton, a five-star prospect from McDonogh School in Maryland, was part of Penn State’s 2022 recruiting class that included Abdul Carter, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, and Drew Allar. Franklin personally recruited him, overcoming a near-loss over something as mundane as single-room dorms, a testament to the high-level relationship they built.
In 2025, Dennis-Sutton delivered a productive season, posting 42 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and an interception over 13 games. The opener against Nevada set the tone, with Dennis-Sutton forcing two fumbles in a dominant performance—a moment Franklin later highlighted as a benchmark for the defense.
Franklin’s postgame remarks framed Dennis-Sutton’s two-for-two performance as part of a continuing Penn State legacy, noting that the Penn State DE became the first in years to record two forced fumbles in a game since Micah Parsons in 2019. When asked about Franklin’s new chapter, Dennis-Sutton replied with warmth: “I’m a Virginia Tech fan now, except when they play Penn State, obviously.”
Looking ahead, Dennis-Sutton will be at the Senior Bowl with fellow Nittany Lions—Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Zane Durant, and Zakee Wheatley—prepping for the 2026 NFL draft. He enters the process as a late Day 2 prospect, standing 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, valued for his length and versatility to play end, interior rusher, or stand-up edge. While his 2025 production flashed, evaluators emphasize refinement of his pass-rush plan and technique, with pad level and consistency as areas to develop; Mel Kiper has him among the top-10 defensive ends in this class, and several NFL teams, including the Chicago Bears, are watching him closely in Mobile.
