Penn State’s loaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball this season, and watch-list season is reflecting that.
While these five players have already been given a few preseason honors, they have solid chances to take home some individual hardware this year.
Drew Allar
Sure, there’s always been high expectations for Drew Allar, but 2025 is a whole new level for the former 5-star.
Allar has already been named to the Maxwell Award watch list, which is given annually to the top player in college football. With a good start to the season, the senior should make the cut as a semifinalist when the final 16 are announced on Nov. 11.
It’s hard to tell, however, if Allar’s truly going to take the jump from an above average starting quarterback to one of the best in the nation. If he does, he’s looking at being a potential Maxwell Award finalist, along with a Davey O’Brien Award finalist, which is the award given to the top quarterback in the country.
Quarterback Drew Allar (15) receives the snap during the College Football Playoff semifinal game between Penn State and Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2024 in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. The Fighting Irish beat the Nittany Lions 27-24.
Sienna Pinney
With a truly elite season, he will undoubtedly be a favorite to win the O’Brien Award. But more importantly, Allar could find himself in New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist, which would make him the first Nittany Lion to make the top four since Saquon Barkley in 2017.
Nick Singleton
Similarly to Allar, Nick Singleton is expected to be one of the best at his position. He was also already named to the Maxwell Award watch list, and is practically a lock to be named a semifinalist.
Singleton has a good chance to win that award, too, but he’ll have to beat out some elite talents to do so, such as Jeremiah Smith from Ohio State.
As for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the top running back in college football, the senior will have to surpass Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, who’s regarded as the best at his position coming into 2025.
Regardless, Singleton is no doubt going to be an All-American, as he was already named a Walter Camp preseason first team All-American and is likely going to be a top-two running back in the nation this season.
Kaytron Allen
Just like Singleton and Allar, Kaytron Allen was named to the Maxwell Award watch list. However, due to the recognition his teammates receive on a national scale, it’s unlikely Allen makes the semifinals cut.
A similar result could occur for Allen with the Walker Award, but he’ll certainly make the semifinals considering he’s clearly a top 10 running back in college football. It wouldn’t even be much of a shock if the senior’s a finalist, but it’s highly unlikely he becomes the first Penn State running back since Larry Johnson to win the award.
Allen won’t be ending his career as a Nittany Lion without any laurels, however. He’ll likely still earn some All-American recognition and definitely some high honors from the Big Ten.
Running back Kaytron Allen (13) rushes the ball during the Penn State football game against Maryland on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Terrapins 44-7.
Sienna Pinney
Vega Ioane
No Penn State player has won the Outland Trophy since Mike Reid in 1969. Vega Ioane has a chance to do it this year.
Ioane was named to the trophy’s watch list as the highest-regarded talent on the Nittany Lions’ offensive line. He should make the semifinalist cut, but with an even better year than 2024 Ioane could find himself as one of the three finalists.
Even if Ioane doesn’t win the Outland Trophy, he has the chance to be part of a starting offensive line that’s a favorite to win the Joe Moore Award, which is given annually to the top front five in college football.
Ioane will still earn some individual honors as well, as he’s already been named a Walter Camp preseason second team All-American and is a shoe-in for a first team All-Big Ten selection.
Trebor Peña
Trebor Peña was named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list on Thursday, as the Nittany Lions’ transfer wide receiver has as diverse of a root tree as they come and possesses the abilities to play many different roles in an offense.
With Travis Hunter off to the NFL, the award appears to be anyone’s to win, and with a good season, Peña could find himself as one of the finalists.
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