{"id":76248,"date":"2025-08-13T09:00:46","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T13:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=76248"},"modified":"2025-11-07T09:26:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T14:26:20","slug":"penn-state-football-stars-land-on-a-wave-of-preseason-award-watch-lists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2025\/08\/13\/penn-state-football-stars-land-on-a-wave-of-preseason-award-watch-lists\/","title":{"rendered":"Penn State Football Stars Land on a Wave of Preseason Award Watch Lists"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the 2025 season on the horizon, Penn State\u2019s roster is drawing national attention. Twelve Nittany Lions have been named to major preseason watch lists across all phases of the game. From quarterback Drew Allar<\/a> to long snapper Tyler Duzansky, the selections highlight the program\u2019s depth and talent. Below is a chronological breakdown of the announcements, with details on each player\u2019s inclusion and a look back at Penn State\u2019s past winners for these awards.<\/p>\n

Watch List Selections Spotlight Penn State\u2019s 2025 Potential<\/h2>\n

Allar, Allen, and Singleton Earn Maxwell Award Recognition<\/h3>\n

Penn State opened the preseason with Allar, Kaytron Allen<\/a>, and Nicholas Singleton<\/a> all securing spots on the Maxwell Award watch list. The Maxwell honors college football\u2019s best overall player. Allar enters his senior season with more than 6,300 passing yards and 53 touchdowns. Allen and Singleton combine power, speed, and experience in the backfield. Historically, seven Nittany Lions have captured this award, including John Cappelletti in 1973, Kerry Collins in 1994, and Larry Johnson in 2002.<\/p>\n

Durant, Harris, and Ioane Recognized for Outland and Nagurski<\/h3>\n

Senior defensive tackle Zane Durant<\/a> landed on both the Outland Trophy list, honoring top interior linemen, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy list for elite defensive players. Junior corner A.J. Harris<\/a> also joined the Nagurski group. Redshirt junior guard Olaivavega \u201cVega\u201d Ioane<\/a> appeared alongside Durant on the Outland list. Durant recorded 11 tackles for loss in 2024. Harris displayed steady coverage skills, and Ioane anchored a line as that consistently controlled the point of attack, and was their mauler in the run game. Penn State\u2019s only Outland winner is Mike Reid (1969), while the program still seeks its first Nagurski honoree.<\/p>\n

Cousins and Pe\u00f1a Named to Wuerffel and Hornung Lists<\/h3>\n

Sophomore lineman Cooper Cousins<\/a> earned a place on the Wuerffel Trophy list, which spotlights community service and leadership. Redshirt senior wide receiver Trebor Pe\u00f1a<\/a> secured a spot on the Paul Hornung Award list for his ability to impact multiple phases of the game. Cousins has made a mark through charitable outreach and leadership roles. Pe\u00f1a offers value as a pass catcher, ball carrier, and return specialist. The Wuerffel went to Nick Dawkins<\/a> in 2024, while Saquon Barkley claimed the Hornung in 2017.<\/p>\n

Allar, Singleton, and Duzansky Secure Walter Camp and Mannelly Spots<\/h3>\n

Quarterback Allar and running back Singleton joined the Walter Camp Player of the Year list, one of the oldest and most respected individual honors in the sport. Past Penn State recipients include Cappelletti in 1973 and Johnson in 2002. Additionally, long snapper Tyler Duzansky appeared on the Patrick Mannelly Award list, which celebrates the nation\u2019s top long snapper. The Nittany Lions have yet to claim that award.<\/p>\n

Allen and Singleton Tabbed for Doak Walker Award<\/h3>\n

The Doak Walker Award watch list featured Allen and Singleton. The award goes to the nation\u2019s premier running back. Singleton enters 2025 as the FBS leader among returners in career rushing yards and touchdowns. Allen\u2019s production sits close behind. The only Penn State player to win the Doak Walker remains Larry Johnson in 2002.<\/p>\n

Pe\u00f1a and Ross Make Biletnikoff Watch List<\/h3>\n

Penn State\u2019s passing attack gained recognition. Pe\u00f1a and senior transfer Devonte Ross<\/a> made the Biletnikoff Award watch list for the country\u2019s top receiver. Pe\u00f1a provides quickness and reliable hands in the slot. Ross stretches defenses vertically with his speed. Bobby Engram won the first Biletnikoff in 1994 and is still the only Nittany Lion to do so.<\/p>\n

Allar Named to Davey O\u2019Brien Award List<\/h3>\n

Allar picked up another honor by earning a spot on the Davey O\u2019Brien Award watch list for the nation\u2019s best quarterback. His combination of efficiency and leadership could make him Penn State\u2019s third winner. The program\u2019s past honorees are Todd Blackledge in 1982 and Kerry Collins in 1994.<\/p>\n

Dinkins Earns Mackey Award Watch List Spot<\/h3>\n

Tight end Khalil Dinkins<\/a> earned a place on the John Mackey Award list on August 8. The redshirt senior is expected to play a larger role this year. He follows Tyler Warren<\/a>, who became the first Penn State tight end to win the Mackey in 2024.<\/p>\n

Dennis-Sutton, Durant, and Harris Named to Bednarik List<\/h3>\n

The Chuck Bednarik Award watch list included Dani Dennis-Sutton<\/a>, Durant, and Harris. This award honors the nation\u2019s best defensive player. Penn State\u2019s history with the Bednarik is strong, with winners like LaVar Arrington in 1999, Paul Posluszny in both 2005 and 2006, and Dan Connor<\/a> in 2007.<\/p>\n

Durant and Ioane Land on Lombardi Award List<\/h3>\n

\u00a0Durant and Ioane earned spots on the Rotary Lombardi Award list, which recognizes top linemen and linebackers. Past Nittany Lion winners include Bruce Clark in 1978 and Carl Nassib in 2015.<\/p>\n

Eyes on Hardware and History<\/h3>\n

With star power across every position group, the Nittany Lions are positioned to compete for both individual accolades and a shot at college football\u2019s biggest stage. The watch list nods are only the beginning. If this group delivers on its potential, the program could add new names to its long list of award winners, while pushing for championships that define eras in Happy Valley.<\/p>\n

Main Image:Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the 2025 season on the horizon, Penn State\u2019s roster is drawing national attention. Twelve Nittany Lions have been named to major preseason watch lists across all phases of the game. From quarterback Drew Allar to long snapper Tyler Duzansky, the selections highlight the program\u2019s depth and talent. Below is a chronological breakdown of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5544,"featured_media":74592,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,2,17,35610],"tags":[493,33903,4035,34420,34421,1353,331,3331,35422,33970,5653,4922,35423,6708,5661,33653,309],"class_list":["post-76248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bigten","category-featured","category-news","category-penn-state-nittany-lions","tag-awards","tag-biletnikoff-award","tag-bronko-nagurski-award","tag-bruce-clark","tag-carl-nassib","tag-chuck-bednarik-award","tag-davey-obrien-award","tag-doak-walker-award","tag-john-cappelletti","tag-lombardi-trophy","tag-mackey-award","tag-maxwell-award","tag-mike-reid","tag-outland-trophy","tag-paul-hornung-award","tag-paul-posluszny","tag-penn-state-nittany-lions"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5544"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76248"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":76265,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76248\/revisions\/76265"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74592"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}