The Football Writers Association of America released its watch lists for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy and 2025 Outland Trophy. The Maxwell Award Watch List was also announced. Penn State football had at least two Nittany Lions featured on the three lists.
Zane Durant and A.J. Harris named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
The 60-man Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List includes "defensive standouts . . . for the national defensive player of the year."
Penn State's Zane Durant was one of 10 defensive tackles and A.J. Harris was one of 10 cornerbacks named to the watch list.
Durant returning to Penn State was huge for the program, especially alongside other veterans on both sides of the ball. The tackle played 658 snaps and had 42 total tackles as a junior. While Harris may declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, he would be a huge returning addition after his junior campaign in 2025-26. As a sophomore, he made 48 tackles and made a statement in his first season as a starter.
Vega Ioane and Zane Durant named to Outland Trophy Watch List
The Outland Trophy recognizes "50 returning standout interior linemen" and the 2025 watch list includes selectees from at least 35 different programs across college football.
For Penn State, Vega Ioane was one of 15 guards and Durant was one of 10 defensive tackles that were named to the 50-man watch list on Tuesday. Both Ioane and Durant were named to the Walter Camp Preseason All-America Teams as well.
The guard earned a spot on the second team and the defenseman was put on the first team. Ioane is considered one of the top returning starters for the Nittany Lions in 2025-26 and is also a potential first-rounder in the 2026 NFL Draft if he declares before his redshirt senior year. It's expected for Durant to have a boost in his game as a senior just like he had from sophomore to junior year.
Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, and Kaytron Allen named to Maxwell Award Watch List
The Maxwell Award is presented "to the most outstanding player in the sport, recognizing excellence on the field and exceptional contributions to the game" (i.e. College Player of the Year).
On Monday, July 28, the Penn State backfield took three spots on the preseason watch list. Quarterback Drew Allar with his top two running backs, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, are no-brainers for the award.
The senior Nittany Lions make up the best backfield in college football this season, and Singleton and Allen are one of the best running back duos. Like Ioane and Durant, Singleton was Penn State's third selectee to the Walter Camp Preseason All-America Teams and made the first team. Both he and Allen are expected to have a special season as a fourth-year duo.
Allar progressed in the offseason, according to head coach James Franklin. He expects a step up in all aspects of Allar's game, whether it's completion percentage, his run game, or his leadership as a whole. The rising senior has an incredible supporting cast on offense surpassing Singleton and Allen, such as the three wide receiver transfers (Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross, and Kyron Hudson) and the returning offensive linemen in front of him (e.g. Ioane, Drew Shelton, and Nick Dawkins).