{"id":732386,"date":"2026-06-29T06:46:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T06:46:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/732386\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T06:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T06:46:24","slug":"penn-state-football-earns-nine-athlon-sports-preseason-all-big-ten-nods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/732386\/","title":{"rendered":"Penn State football earns nine Athlon Sports preseason All-Big Ten nods"},"content":{"rendered":"

Penn State put nine players on Athlon Sports\u2019 preseason All-Big Ten teams<\/a> this week, a blend of retained Nittany Lions and top transfers who arrived from Iowa State.<\/p>\n

Clarifying beforehand that the teams are a projection for performances during the 2026 season, Athlon isn\u2019t merely acknowledging past accomplishments when naming its picks. Rather, \u201cthese are the best individual players at each position in the league for \u201926.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though blanked on the first team for offense, defense and special teams, the Nittany Lions have three players who earned second-team status from the outlet.<\/p>\n

On the offensive side of the ball, tight end Benjamin Brahmer<\/a> picked up another preseason honor with his second-team selection. He was also named to Phil Steele\u2019s preseason All-America third team earlier this month and Athlon\u2019s preseason All-America fourth team.<\/p>\n

Coming off his most productive season at Iowa State, totaling 37 receptions for 446 yards and six touchdowns, Brahmer drew praise from head coach Matt Campbell<\/a> this spring.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen has had a really good spring. Honestly, this is the first offseason that Ben has truly had during his collegiate career.<\/p>\n

And I think you see it,\u201d said Campbell. \u201cHe\u2019s almost 258 right now in terms of body weight. He\u2019s as strong and physical as he\u2019s been. And I really thought, so far, he\u2019s had a tremendous spring. As a mover, as a point-of-attack football player, some areas where we were really trying to hone in on, I think he\u2019s made great strides.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joining Brahmer on the second team are two of his fellow Cyclone transfers on defense. At linebacker, Caleb Bacon<\/a> earned the distinction, with preseason All-American Marcus Neal<\/a> joining him at safety. Neal, like Brahmer, also has a Phil Steele preseason All-America selection to his resume.<\/p>\n

A sentiment shared by Campbell, Neal arrives at Penn State with heightened expectations for what he can accomplish in 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarcus Neal, I don\u2019t know if there was a better defensive player in the Big 12 last year,\u201d said Campbell. \u201cI think what he brings to the table, his physicality, his toughness, his ability to play sideline to sideline.\u201d<\/p>\n

Penn State\u2019s third- and fourth-team selections include a mix of returning Nittany Lions and more Iowa State transfers.<\/p>\n

Offensively, running back Carson Hansen<\/a> and starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh<\/a> earned third-team nods, while receiver Chase Sowell<\/a> was picked for the fourth team. Defensively, linebacker Tony Rojas<\/a> \u2013 coming off a season-ending ACL injury early in the 2025 season \u2013 joined safety Jeremiah Cooper<\/a> \u2013 also recovering from a season-ending ACL injury early in the 2025 season \u2013 with third-team selections.<\/p>\n

Additionally, place kicker Ryan Barker<\/a> was selected to the third-team specialists unit.<\/p>\n

Penn State begins the 2026 season when it hosts Marshall on Sept. 5 at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Talk about it with our premium members in the Lions Den message board, here.<\/a><\/p>\n

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