2025 Breakout Candidates: Safety

Since arriving at Penn State in 2021, Anthony Poindexter has put five Nittany Lions safeties in the NFL. Zakee Wheatley is on pace to be the sixth, but the rest of the safety room is a relative unknown entering the 2025 season. Fortunately, there is no shortage of talent at the position, and there is a good chance the next star emerges this year.

Dejuan Lane (SO)

Dejuan Lane appeared in every game of the 2024 season and helped stabilize the secondary after KJ Winston’s season-ending injury in Week 2. He totaled 14 tackles, one interception, and three pass breakups in 16 games last year. His role in the defense is certain to expand in 2025 under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, and he is…