Four Nittany Lions make preseason All-American teams
Four Nittany Lions ultimately ended up landing on their teams, with three first-team selections and one second-team selection. That ties them with Texas for most first-team selections in the country and finally gives them a second-teamer after the same three players had been selected to the first teams of several other publications.
The three players in question that again made the first team are defensive tackle and breakout star of last season Zane Durant, offensive lineman Olaivevega Ioane, and star running back Nicholas Singleton. Backfield running mate Kaytron Allen slots into the second team. This marks Durant's fifth preseason All-American team selection across five publications, Ioane's sixth, and Singleton's fifth. This is Allen's second second-team selection, but it is still notable that one of the deepest squads somehow don't have the subsequent depth on All-American preseason teams.
Despite some snubs however, the fact that Durant, Ioane, and Singleton have represented the team so strongly must feel good for Penn State fans. Durant had a breakout 2024 that saw him tied for first amongst defensive tackles and sacks with three and third in TFLs with 11. Ioane was an All-Big Ten second team selection last year and helped the Nittany Lions have one of the most efficient offenses in the country, leading the nation in first downs. And people don't have to be told about both Singleton and Allen, as both could be on the precipice of being Nos. 1 and 2, respectively on Penn State's all-time rushing leaders charts. They already are 1 and 2 in terms of returning FBS players, so why not go for a program record and leave a major legacy behind? These preseason All-American selections do bolster their odds.
Most importantly, this gives Penn State bragging rights within the conference. In fact, the only other Big Ten squad to even have multiple first-team selections was No. 3 Ohio State, landing both Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs on the first team. Not even those selections can slow Penn State's mojo however. Let's see if these selections prove the Associated Press right.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Chicago Tribune
8 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Short-handed Indiana Fever suffer another blow as Sophie Cunningham sustains season-ending injury
INDIANAPOLIS — The injury-riddled Indiana Fever suffered another blow Tuesday when they announced guard Sophie Cunningham would miss the rest of this season with a knee injury. She was hurt during Sunday's victory at Connecticut. Team officials did not provide details about the injury, the third season-ending one Indiana has experienced in August. Guard Sydney Colson tore the ACL in her left knee on Aug. 7 in a game at Phoenix. Guard Aari McDonald broke a bone in her right foot in the same game. And two-time All-Star guard Caitlin Clark still has not played since injuring her right groin in mid-July. Coach Stephanie White has not provided a timetable for Clark's return other than to say the Fever hope that Clark returns before the regular-season finale Sept. 9 against Minnesota. With so many key players out, the outspoken Cunningham played a key role in helping Indiana stay in the playoff mix. She was averaging 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals. Indiana also announced it has signed Shey Peddy to a seven-day hardship contract. The six-year veteran was averaging 5.0 points and 2.7 assists in six games with the Los Angeles Sparks. She also has played with Phoenix and Washington during her career. The Fever also released guard Kyra Lambert. Angel Reese is back with the Chicago Sky. What does that mean for the rest of the season?
Newsweek
10 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Rockets Future Outlook Soars Following Kevin Durant Addition
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Houston Rockets showed plenty of growth last season. Despite having a very young roster, they won 52 regular-season games and claimed the second seed in the Western Conference. However, their inexperience, not to mention their lack of shot-making when the pace slows down, cost them in the playoffs. They ended up losing in the first round to Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, and they scored no more than 93 points in three of their four losses during that series. But just weeks later, the Rockets rocked the NBA by landing future Hall of Fame forward Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. They also added veteran 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith and veteran center Clint Capela, and many feel they have a real shot at winning it all. Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns and Shaq's OGs looks on during 2025 NBA All-Star Practice & Media Availability at Oakland Arena on February 15, 2025 in Oakland, California. Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns and Shaq's OGs looks on during 2025 NBA All-Star Practice & Media Availability at Oakland Arena on February 15, 2025 in Oakland, California. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report recently did an article in which he gave the over/under and predicted win totals of all 30 NBA teams. The Rockets' over/under was listed at 55.5 wins, and Bailey projected them to have a 52-30 record once again. Read more: Former NBA Star Throws Shade at Rockets' Kevin Durant "It may seem silly to have the Houston Rockets winning the same number of games they did in 2024-25," Bailey wrote. "... In this Western Conference, though, getting any number of wins over 50 is going to be tough. And the Rockets presumed leading scorer, Durant, turns 37 in September. He played 75 games in 2023-24, but he's averaged just under 55 over the half-decade since returning from his ruptured Achilles. "That and a lack of high-end offensive creation beyond KD could limit Houston's chances of hitting a very high over-under." Durant is still either in his prime or close to it. He averaged 26.6 points on 52.7% overall shooting and 43% from 3-point range last season, and he appeared in 62 games after playing in 75 games during the previous season. But as Bailey noted, Houston lacks other players who can create and hit their own shot in a halfcourt setting. Center Alperen Sengun put up 19.1 points per game and made his first All-Star game this past season, but the rest of the team's roster is lacking in the shot creation category. Houston was heavily dependent on its defense to create fast-break scores during the 2024-25 campaign. When it faces an excellent defensive team come playoff time, there could be too much pressure on the greybearded Durant to bail out his mates. Read more: ESPN Personality Calls Out Knicks Star Karl-Anthony Towns The could also be plenty of pressure on Amen Thompson to develop. Thompson, who averaged 14.1 points per game last season, is thought to perhaps have some star potential, and if he busts out this fall and winter, it would greatly raise the Rockets' potential. If not, they, not to mention Durant, could be facing another early playoff exit. For more on the Rockets and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
10 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Phillies' Rob Thomson Has Telling Comment on Jordan Romano with Roster Spot Uncertain
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Philadelphia Phillies have their deepest, most complete bullpen of the season so far. It's good news for most, but not all. With the return of José Alvarado following an 80-game performance-enhancing drug suspension, the Phillies suddenly have six legitimate high-leverage options. Then, there's former two-time All-Star closer Jordan Romano, who has been the Phillies' worst and least consistent reliever all season. Now that Alvarado is back, there's a case to be made that Romano should be designated for assignment for the Phillies to give other pitchers some looks before the playoffs, even though Alvarado won't be eligible to pitch in the postseason. CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 13: Jordan Romano #68 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts to giving up a grand slam home run during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on... CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 13: Jordan Romano #68 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts to giving up a grand slam home run during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 13, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by)With a 7.56 ERA and minus-1.2 bWAR on the season, Romano is hurting the Phillies with his presence more than he's helping them. And his manager, Rob Thomson, made a comment on Tuesday that tells you all you need to know about the right-hander's job status. "Well, I can't tell what he's going to have coming out of the 'pen," Thomson said, per Matt Gelb and Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic. "Not until he gets out on the mound. "So I just want to make sure that we give him time off because he seems to be stronger when he does have some time off. That's the only thing you can do." That's not the sign of a pitcher the Phillies think can be a part of the solution. That's a manager acknowledging he has to use all of his players at some point, so he's trying to limit the damage Romano can do as long as he's still on the roster. Romano knows how ugly the year has been, too. "I haven't been consistent at all with either my fastball or my slider," Romano said last week, per Gelb and Varnes. "That's like the biggest thing, right? As a reliever, when you go in the game, you want to be consistent. And I haven't been. That's the toughest thing. There may not be much Romano can do to turn his season around, but with the DFA prospect looming, every outing still means everything. More MLB: Mets Lose Young Star To Injured List At Worst Possible Time: Report
