Speed kills, and Zion Tracy has it in spades. The former track star (10.5s 100m) translated his athleticism into production during a breakout sophomore campaign in 2025.
The Breakout
Tracy took over the “Star” (Nickel) position and never looked back.
- Starts: 9
- Tackles: 32 (5.0 for loss)
- Snaps: ~400 defensive snaps.
Analysis: The “Star” Role
In Penn State’s defense, the Star must be part linebacker, part corner.
- Run Support: Tracy’s 5.0 TFLs prove he isn’t afraid to stick his nose in the B-gap.
- Coverage: He allowed just one touchdown in man coverage all season.
- The Future: With A.J. Harris transferring to Indiana, Tracy is now the undisputed leader of the corner room heading into 2026.
Metric of Note
10.5 Seconds: Tracy’s high school 100m time remains the benchmark for the secondary. That recovery speed saved two touchdowns in 2025 (vs. Ohio State and USC).