Penn State football had three Nittany Lions selected to the 2025 Walter Camp Preseason All-America Teams. Running back Nicholas Singleton, defensive tackle Zane Durant, and offensive lineman Vega Ioane are all new selections, having not made the All-America Teams in 2024.
This is 136th edition of the nation's oldest college football All-America team. Walter Camp selected the first All-America team in 1889 and in 1967, the Walter Camp Foundation was founded "to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team."
Running back Nicholas Singleton is selected to Walter Camp Preseason All-America First Team Offense
Having Singleton return rather than declare for the 2025 NFL Draft was a huge addition for the Nittany Lions as he emerged to be one of the top returning players for the team. He also has the most receiving yards among Power Four running backs since 2023, according to PFF. Singleton is an explosive and dynamic running back with size, speed, and the ability to complete any play quarterback Drew Allar puts out on the field: rushing or receiving.
In 2024, he had 172 carries for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns. Singleton added an additional 41 receptions for 375 yards and five receiving touchdowns. This was the second time in his collegiate career that he broke 1,000 rushing yards.
Singleton is expected to continue building on his success from previous seasons. Jumping from sophomore to junior year, Singleton tallied 347 more rushing yards and 15 more receptions for 67 more receiving yards. Singleton and Kaytron Allen will be a difficult duo to beat in the backfield for 2025-26.
Defensive lineman Zane Durant is selected to Walter Camp Preseason All-America First Team Defense
Durant was a key component to the Nittany Lions' defense in 2024-25 and was the top interior defender in the entire FBS. He was a weapon against the run and equally as difficult to compete against in the passing game. Like Singleton, Durant returning to Penn State for his senior year rather than declare for the draft was a massive win. He played 658 snaps and proved that his athleticism wasn't compromised by being undersized.
Durant had 42 tackles as a junior in 2024, including 22 solos and 20 assists. He also had 11 tackles for loss and three sacks. This was a huge jump from Durant's sophomore year, adding an additional 25 total tackles with 10 more solos and 15 more assists. He also improved, doubling his tackles for loss and adding one more sack.
Offensive lineman Vega Ioane is selected to Walter Camp Preseason All-America Second Team Offense
Ioane is the final Nittany Lion selected. The rising redshirt junior is one of the essential pieces to Penn State's offensive line. He's one of five returning starters and is expected to start each game, like he did in the 2024-25 season. Ioane was also selected to the All-Big Ten second team after his redshirt sophomore season. He's a key part to Penn State's plan to return to the College Football Playoffs and hopefully claim a national title, especially considering he's one of the many Nittany Lions who could potentially be a first round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Penn State joins four other schools — Alabama, Clemson, Indiana, and Texas — on the 2025 Walter Camp Preseason All-America Teams to have three players selected. The Foundation will announce the Players to Watch for the 2025 Walter Camp Player of the Year on Aug. 4.