Penn State defensive end Zulia Fisher missed most of the 2022 season with an injury and could miss 2024 as well. Fisher suffered the injury during spring practice, a source confirmed. Blue and white illustration Media outlets, who first reported the news, said Fisher's injury was “significant” and could impact his 2024 season.
Fisher, a fifth-year senior, will return for Penn State's football team in 2023 and was a key member of the defensive line. Fisher played all 13 games last year, including a season-high 46 snaps in the Peach Bowl against Ole Miss. Fisher recorded one of his 3.5 sacks this season against Ole Miss quarterback Jackson Dart.
With the departures of Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac to the NFL, Penn State expected Fisher to take on a broader role on the defensive line. Strength coach Chuck Losey said in February he was “really happy” with how Fisher responded to the competitive spacing at defensive end for the Nittany Lions. Fisher was expected to join Abdul Carter, Dani Dennis Sutton and Amin Vanover in a four-end rotation. Penn State coach James Franklin praised Fisher last October for staying on his career trajectory.
“To me, he's the defensive end that everyone wants,” Franklin said, “He's disruptive. He's got size. He's got length. He's got athleticism. He's had a smile on his face ever since he got here. He's been through personal adversity, challenges and setbacks, probably more than most people, but he continues to find a way to be successful.”
Penn State acquired Fisher as a linebacker out of Aliquippa High School before switching to defensive end. Fisher did not play in 2020 but appeared in eight games in 2021.
In 2022, Fisher was injured during the preseason, keeping her off the field for most of the year. She returned in November against Maryland and Rutgers. Franklin said she is a “big Z'riah Fisher fan.”
“We always thought he had an opportunity to develop as a defensive end,” Franklin said. “He already had the size, and we made that change with his approval and support. [he] They started doing some really great things. And [Fisher] I injured [in 2022]It was a pretty big injury and it kept me out for a while, but little by little I recovered and got better and better in terms of understanding how to play both mentally and physically. [defensive] line.
“For him, understanding tactics was new. And to me, he's one of those guys that's a really good example for a lot of the guys in that locker room. He's one of those guys that just keeps getting better, one percent, one percent, one percent. It might not stand out dramatically, but he's just getting better and better. And now he's playing for us and doing his job. I think he has a really bright future here at Penn State and beyond.”
Penn State will open the 2024 season at West Virginia University on Aug. 31. Kickoff is scheduled to air at noon ET on FOX.
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AllPennState is the home for Penn State news, opinions and views on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years and has followed three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and countless great stories. Follow @MarkWogenrich on Twitter.
