The Outland Trophy is given to the best interior lineman, offensive or defensive, in college football. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club, recognizes the best defensive player in college football.

Zane Durant (DT) was named Preseason All-America by Walter Camp Football Foundation. Durant has appeared in 42 career games, making 28 starts, and was All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2023 and 2024. Through his career, he’s tallied 64 tackles (35 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup, posting three career games with multiple tackles for loss. In 2024, Durant collected 42 tackles (22 solo), 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and a pass breakup. He ranked fourth among FBS defensive tackles (2nd in Big Ten) with 11 tackles for loss and tied for first among Big Ten defensive tackles with three sacks and has been named the Coaching Staff’s Defensive Player of the Game three times.

A.J. Harris (CB) was tabbed to the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list. In 2024, Harris was voted All-Big Ten third team by the coaches and media. He played in all 16 games and made 15 starts last season, finishing with 48 tackles (28 solo), four tackles for loss, one interception and five pass breakups.

In the team’s 2024 opener at West Virginia. Harris assisted on three tackles and added a pass breakup. Hrabbed his first career interception against Illionis and returned it 20 yards, adding four tackles and a pass breakup. Other notable games came against Washington, Minnesota, Oregon and Notre Dame, with that game against Oregon seeing him obtain a career-high seven tackles (five solo), including a tackle for loss.

Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant (28) tackles Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton (10) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Olaivavega Ioane (OL) was named to the Preseason All-America by Walter Camp Football Foundation. Ioane was selected All-Big Ten second team in 2024 and has earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in the last two season. He’s appeared in 33 career games, making 21 starts.

In 2024, Penn State did not allow a sack against West Virginia, USC, Washington, Purdue or Maryland. Ioane helped Penn State rank ninth in the nation in tackles for loss allowed per game (3.81) and 23rd in sacks allowed per game (1.25). He also helped the Nittany Lions to lead the country in first downs (367), while ranking 10th in passing efficiency (154.98), fourth down conversion percentage (72.0), 11th in completion percentage (66.8), 17th in rushing offense (202.3), 19th in third down conversion percentage (45.9) and 25th in red zone offense (89.4).

The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce the finalists for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy in November and the winner will be unveiled on December 8 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given annually since 1993, is named in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski played for the Chicago Bears after his college career. Bronislaw “Bronko” Nagurski is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Hall of Fame.

The recipient of the 2025 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 12. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 21, 2026. The Outland Trophy, created in 1946, is named in honor of Dr. John Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s.

Penn State players on Preseason watch list:

Drew Allar – Maxwell Award

Kaytron Allen – Maxwell Award

Zane Durant – Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy

A.J. Harris – Lott IMPACT Trophy, Nagurski Trophy

Vega Ioane – Outland Trophy

Nicholas Singleton – Maxwell Award