Hopes were high for veteran Penn State defensive end Zuriah Fisher coming away from his first fully healthy season as a Nittany Lion in 2024. Fisher’s progress met an abrupt stop in the spring, Blue White Illustrated has learned.
The rising fifth-year senior defender suffered a “significant” injury setback that will render him out indefinitely ahead of the Nittany Lions’ 2024 campaign. The injury was sustained while the program worked through its spring practice session in April.
Playing behind a trio of starters in Chop Robinson, Adisa Isaac, and Dani Dennis-Sutton last season, Fisher joined Amin Vanover, finishing fourth and fifth in the rotation for total reps at defensive end. Fisher had 237 reps over 13 games and was met with an enthusiastic endorsement from head coach James Franklin for his performance.
Particularly in light of a season-long injury sustained ahead of the 2022 campaign, limiting his participation to the final two games of the Nittany Lions’ Rose Bowl season, Franklin was effusive in his support of Fisher.
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“I’m a big Zuriah fan, for sure,” said Franklin. “He made that change (from linebacker to end) with his blessing and support and really started to do some great things. Then, he gets a fairly significant injury and misses some time for that. And he just kind of continues to chip away at it. And, he continues to get better and better and better, both physically and mentally in terms of understanding how to play D-line.
“It was new to him. Understanding the scheme. He’s one of those guys to me that’s a really good example for a lot of guys in the locker room. He’s one of those guys that’s just getting one percent better, one percent better, one percent better. It maybe doesn’t jump out at you dramatically. But he just continues to get better. Now he’s making plays for us and doing his job.”
Fisher stood out this offseason for Penn State
Through five weeks of winter workouts, Fisher was drawing buzz. The Penn State defensive end demonstrated a commitment to improvement on and off the field that drew optimism for his potential impact at a crowded, but talented position in the Nittany Lions’ 2024 season.
And, by the time Penn State strength coordinator Chuck Losey met with reporters in March, that progression for Fisher was voiced publicly.
“Two guys I’m really proud of that are a little bit older in the program are Zakee Wheatley and Zuriah Fisher,” said Losey. “Just from a maturity standpoint, and to see where they are in their journey, I’m really happy with those guys.
“Zuriah especially, the way he’s embraced competition. As you guys know we’ve got a lot of competition going on at that defensive end spot right now. I’m really happy with the way he’s responded.”
Penn State defensive end losses
The setback is significant to Penn State for a multitude of reasons.
On the front end, it’s significant because Fisher was playing well. An experienced, veteran performer with earned confidence, he stood to figure prominently in Penn State’s plans up front this season.
But, in the context of the Nittany Lions’ plans at the position following the departures of Robinson and Isaac, NFL Draft selections in the first and third rounds, respectively, that absence will be felt more distinctly.
Abdul Carter’s move to the position this offseason helps bolster the supply of top-end talent. Along with Dennis-Sutton’s continued progression, Vanover’s maturity and development, and the expected breakout from Jameial Lyons, the Nittany Lions are not without stability at the two end positions. But, given the lofty praise heaped upon Fisher last season, the injury serves as an undeniable blow to Penn State’s depth.
“He’s got a really bright future here at Penn State and then after that,” Franklin said last season. “To me, he is what everybody’s looking for at defensive end. He’s got the ability to be disruptive. He’s got the size, he’s got the length, he’s got the athleticism. And he’s got a smile on his face really since he’s got here.
“He’s had some personal adversity and challenges and setbacks, probably more so than most. And, he just continues to find ways to be successful. So, I’m really proud of him. I’m really proud of him. And I think you’ll see and continue to have a good year this year and I think that’s going to springboard him into really good things in his future.”
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