Three of Penn State’s top veterans, Zane Durant, A.J. Harris, and Olaivavega Ioane, have earned spots on two of college football’s most prestigious preseason watch lists. Their selections for the Outland and Bronko Nagurski Trophies, both presented by the Football Writers Association of America, highlight the strength of Penn State’s roster on both sides of the ball. The honors also signal high expectations for the program entering the 2025 season.
Penn State Veterans Named to Outland & Nagurski Watch Lists
Durant Leads the Charge as Defensive Anchor
Durant’s recognition on both the Outland and Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch lists reaffirms his standing as one of the nation’s most disruptive defensive linemen. Entering his senior season. Durant anchors Penn State’s interior defensive line, a unit that must carry more schematic weight under new coordinator Jim Knowles.
Durant’s 2024 campaign featured 42 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and three sacks. His ability to win off the snap, penetrate gaps, and chase down plays from sideline to sideline made him the most consistent presence up front. Despite being slightly undersized at 6-foot-1, 294 pounds, Durant combines leverage, motor, and technique to create problems for even the Big Ten’s best offensive lines.
Knowles’ 4-2-5 scheme demands versatility and mental processing. Linemen must execute slants, stunts, and gap exchanges with precision. Durant’s quickness and spatial awareness make him an ideal fit. As the Nittany Lions look to develop depth behind him, his leadership and consistency will remain vital.
Harris Headlines Penn State’s Back End
After a strong 2024 season, Harris enters his 2025 redshirt junior season as one of Penn State’s top defenders and a national name to watch. The Nagurski Trophy committee added him to its preseason list, recognizing his growing impact in a system that demands both technique and toughness.
Harris brings physical traits that stand out at the position. At 6-foot-1 and 191 pounds, he plays with strength at the line and rarely gives ground in one-on-one matchups. His confidence in press coverage allows Penn State to keep its safeties aggressive, knowing the boundary is secure.
In his first full year as a starter, Harris made plays in both run support and coverage. He totaled 48 tackles and five pass breakups, and his lone interception came on the road against Illinois. More importantly, he consistently disrupted timing routes and limited big plays on his side of the field.
With a new coordinator and fresh faces across the secondary, Harris steps into a leadership role. His ability to set the tone early, communicate across formations, and lock down top receivers makes him the foundation of a group that could quietly become one of the Big Ten’s best.
Ioane’s Steady Rise Garners Outland Attention
Redshirt junior Ioane has been named to the Outland Trophy watch list. The recognition reflects his rise from a promising reserve to one of the Big Ten’s top interior offensive linemen. He has made 21 career starts and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2024. His consistency helped power one of the league’s most efficient offenses.
At 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds, Ioane combines power with surprising foot speed. His ability to redirect, maintain leverage in pass protection, and generate movement in the run game has helped stabilize Penn State’s front. Ioane’s physical tools stand out on film, but his technique and balance have caught the attention of scouts. He rarely overextends, mirrors well against interior rushers, and finishes blocks. With left tackle Drew Shelton anchoring the blind side, Ioane’s presence inside gives Penn State a strong foundation as it breaks in new personnel across the offensive line.
Watch Lists Reflect High Expectations in Happy Valley
The inclusion of Durant, Harris, and Ioane on national watch lists highlights the individual talent within Penn State’s 2025 roster. More importantly, it underscores the program’s potential to compete on a national level if those stars play to their billing.
Durant and Harris give the defense a pair of proven, all-conference caliber players at premium positions. Both are critical to executing Knowles’ aggressive scheme, which places a premium on movement, versatility, and communication. Ioane, meanwhile, represents stability and experience on an offensive line tasked with protecting quarterback Drew Allar and opening lanes for running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. All three of these offensive standouts were also named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, given annually to the nation’s top player.
For Penn State, the next step isn’t just recognition—it’s transformation. These watch list nods validate the program’s player development, but fulfilling championship expectations will require these leaders to elevate those around them. If that happens, the names Durant, Harris, and Ioane could be called again in December—this time, as finalists.
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