The Senior Bowl Top 300 list was unveiled on Wednesday, Aug. 20. The Big Ten had the second-most representation on the list below the 109-player SEC selections. Out of the 68 Big Ten players, Penn State football took 10 of those spots.
More Nittany Lions have a chance to be added to the list. Likewise, these 10 current selections could very well end up not making the cut to be invited to the Panini Senior Bowl. The current Penn State players tabbed as "the Best of the Best in college right now" are quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, wide receivers Devonte Ross and Trebor Pena, offensive linemen Vega Ioane and Drew Shelton, defensive linemen Zane Durant and Dani Dennis-Sutton, and defensive back Zakee Wheatley.
The Nittany Lions were one of five schools that had 10 or more players named to the Senior Bowl Top 300 list. LSU had 14, Alabama had 13, Ole Miss had 10, and Oklahoma had 10.
Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Devonte Ross, Trebor Pena, Vega Ioane, and Drew Shelton represent Penn State football's offensive side of the ball on the Senior Bowl Top 300
Allar, Singleton, and Allen make up one of the best backfield in college football. The trio opted to return for their senior seasons and especially at running back, head coach James Franklin was happily surprised with their decisions. The running back duo should continue to be a dominant force offensively for Penn State in 2025, but now Allar has even more options to choose from.
Last season, the Nittany Lions struggled on the perimeter, but Ross and Pena were two transfer additions Franklin landed in the offseason to help out. The two were recently named to the 2025 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List to be named as potentially the best receiver in the country.
On the offensive line, Ioane and Shelton return as starters for the Nittany Lions. They are part of one of the better offensive lines in the country, and now with more weapons on that side of the ball, Penn State will have a difficult offense to contest.
Zane Durant, Dani Dennis-Sutton, and Zakee Wheatley represent Penn State football's defensive side of the ball on the Senior Bowl Top 300
Durant has earned lots of preseason recognition. Aside from making various preseason All-America teams, he has also been named to the Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List, Outland trophy Watch List, Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, and Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List. After a breakout junior season, his senior campaign will be in the spotlight and is expected to be one of the best in the country.
Dennis-Sutton joined Durant on the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, but hasn't received as much preseason recognition and buzz. In 2024, he had 42 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three pass break-ups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery and interception.
The offseason for Wheatley has been about making small improvements and adjustments, whether it's watching an extended amount of film or putting in the extra effort during practice. At 2025 Big Ten Media Days, he told reporters that he came to Penn State to win championships and that's exactly what he intends on doing with this veteran team of Nittany Lions.