Penn State’s defense was already walking a tightrope heading into the Pinstripe Bowl. Now, the Nittany Lions will be without one of their most experienced and battle-tested players: defensive end Zuriah Fisher.
Fisher, a sixth-year senior, won’t suit up against Clemson on Saturday. He’s not with the team and won’t participate in the bowl game, per multiple reports. While he’s still listed on the official roster, his absence adds to a growing list of defensive losses for Penn State ahead of the postseason clash in the Bronx.
It’s another tough chapter in what’s been a winding journey for Fisher. A former four-star recruit out of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, Fisher has battled through more than his fair share of adversity during his time in Happy Valley.
He missed large portions of both the 2022 and 2024 seasons due to injury, including multiple ACL tears. Despite that, he returned this year to carve out a key role on a defense that’s been up and down all season.
Fisher started 11 games this fall after sitting out the opener due to some lingering training camp issues. Once he got back on the field, he didn’t just fill a spot - he produced.
He totaled 19 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. But perhaps more telling than the raw numbers: Fisher generated 30 quarterback pressures, second-most on the team behind standout Dani Dennis-Sutton (44), according to PFF.
That kind of disruption doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet, but it matters - especially for a defense trying to create chaos in the backfield. Fisher’s presence helped anchor a defensive line that’s now running thin on experience and depth.
Interim head coach Terry Smith spoke earlier this season about Fisher’s resilience, calling it “storybook.” Smith highlighted not just the physical toll of two ACL injuries, but the emotional weight Fisher carried after losing his mother while he was on campus. Through it all, Fisher stayed the course, earned his degree, and became a leader in the locker room.
“A kid that had that much adversity could easily quit and walk away from the sport,” Smith said. “He’s just been a great kid, and he’s reaping the reward of hard work.”
Fisher is reportedly expected to seek a waiver for a seventh year of eligibility and could enter the transfer portal to use it. If granted, it would be another chance for him to continue a career that’s been defined by perseverance.
As for the here and now, Penn State’s defensive line is in scramble mode. Fisher’s absence marks the seventh significant loss for the defense heading into the Pinstripe Bowl.
The list includes transfers like Chaz Coleman, Elliot Washington II, and A.J. Harris, opt-outs from starters like safety Zakee Wheatley and defensive tackle Zane Durant, and an injury to linebacker Alex Tatsch.
That leaves the Nittany Lions with a razor-thin rotation at defensive end. Redshirt freshmen Mylachi Williams and Jaylen Harvey are likely to see expanded roles, and true freshman Yvan Kemajou could also be called upon. It’s a big stage for a young group, especially against a Clemson team that knows how to test the edges.
Penn State enters the matchup as a slight underdog, but the real challenge may be simply fielding a cohesive defensive unit. With so many pieces missing, the next-man-up mentality isn’t just a motto - it’s a necessity.