Penn State’s Trio Shocks Nation with Sporting News All-America Honors—What’s Next for These Standout Stars?

Three standout Penn State football players grabbed some well-deserved preseason All-America nods this week from the Sporting News — and it’s stirring quite the buzz around the Nittany Lions. Vega Ioane, holding down the guard position, snagged a coveted first-team spot, while the dynamic duo of running back Nick Singleton and defensive tackle Zane Durant earned their places on the second team. Ioane’s back for his sophomore full season as a starter, building on last year’s solid recognition by Big Ten coaches and media. Meanwhile, Singleton keeps stacking impressive career stats that put him in elite company among returning FBS players, and Durant’s ironman streak continues as he enters his third full season, having been a constant presence for Penn State. Oh, and health and talent meet opportunity as receivers Trebor Pena and Devonte Ross eye the Biletnikoff Award watch list, flooding the offense with potential. This kind of preseason hype? It’s electric — and it’s setting up what could be a thrilling season ahead. LEARN MORE

Durant returns for his third full season as a starter and has played in all 42 games he’s been on the Nittany Lions roster. He was earlier selected to the Walter Camp and Lindy’s All-America first teams, to the Phil Steele’s second team and to the Pick Six Previews third team.Three Penn State football players received preseason All-America recognition Wednesday from the Sporting News.
Guard Vega Ioane was named to the first team, and running back Nick Singleton and defensive tackle Zane Durant were selected to the second team.
In other Penn State news, Trebor Pena and Devonte Ross were named to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, presented to the nation’s top receiver.
Ross transferred earlier this year from Troy, where he made 76 catches for 1,043 yards and 11 TDs last season.
Singleton, a former Gov. Mifflin star, leads returning FBS players with 2,912 career rushing yards, 32 career rushing touchdowns and 4,673 career all-purpose yards.
Ioane returns for his second full season as a starter after Big Ten coaches and media named him to their all-conference second teams last year
Originally Published: August 6, 2025 at 2:22 PM EDT
Earlier this summer, he was named to the All-America first team by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview and Athlon Sports. He also was selected to the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Lindy’s Sports and Pick Six Previews second teams.
He was earlier named to preseason All-America first teams selected by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Phil Steele’s College Football Preview, Lindy’s Sports, Athlon Sports and Pick Six Previews.

Pena spent the last five seasons at Syracuse, where he led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 84 receptions last year for 941 yards and nine touchdowns. He also carried 12 times for 72 yards and a TD.