MORE PRESEASON PRAISE: Penn State Linemen Zane Durant, Vega Ioane Named to National Watch List
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The spotlight continues to shine on the trenches in Happy Valley, as Penn State standouts Zane Durant and Olavavega “Vega” Ioane have both been named to preseason watch lists recognizing the nation’s top linemen.
The honors highlight the growing respect for Penn State’s dominance on both sides of the line of scrimmage, an area head coach James Franklin has long emphasized as key to competing for Big Ten and national championships.
Durant: Defensive Disruptor
Defensive tackle Zane Durant has steadily risen as one of the most disruptive interior linemen in the conference. Known for his quick first step and relentless motor, Durant is expected to anchor Penn State’s defensive front this fall. Analysts believe he could be a breakout star on a unit already projected to be among the Big Ten’s best.
“Durant plays with power and explosiveness that changes games,” one scout noted. “He’s the kind of interior lineman who can collapse pockets and make life miserable for quarterbacks.”
Ioane: The Anchor on Offense
On the other side of the ball, guard Vega Ioane continues to gain national attention as one of the top offensive linemen in college football. A steady and physical presence, Ioane is seen as a cornerstone of an offensive line tasked with protecting quarterback Drew Allar and creating running lanes for Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
His inclusion on the watch list follows preseason recognition from Pro Football Focus, which already named him to its First-Team All-Big Ten Offense.
National Respect for the Lions’ Trenches
With Durant and Ioane both earning national nods, Penn State is proving its strength lies up front on both sides of the ball. The preseason praise underscores the program’s ability to recruit and develop elite linemen—a critical ingredient for championship-caliber football.
As the season approaches, the Nittany Lions will look to their big men in the trenches to set the tone in a year filled with high expectations and playoff aspirations.
Would you like me to expand this into a feature spotlight on Penn State’s trench dominance (pairing Durant, Ioane, and the O-line/D-line culture Franklin has built), or keep it strictly as a news-style preseason update?
