July 30, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., 7/30/2015 ââ'¬" The Big Ten Conference announced its fifth annual preseason Players to Watch list on Thursday (July 30) morning. With the 44th Big Ten Football Media Days getting underway in Chicago, the senior defensive tackle Anthony Zettel (West Branch, Mich.) was named as one of the five players to watch in the Big Ten's East Division.
The list is voted on by a select media panel, with the contingent voting for the top five players each from the East and West Division, with one additional honoree this season due to a tie. Michigan State and Ohio State each had a pair of players represent the East Division, while Penn State's Zettle rounded out the five-player list. Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun and quarterback Connor Cook were honored, alongside Buckeyes defensive end Joey Bosa and running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Zettel shifted from defensive end to defensive tackle in 2014 and enjoyed his most productive season on the field. A fourth-team All-American selection by Athlon Sports and an All-Big Ten first-team pick by both the coaches and media, Zettel logged career-best totals with 17 tackles-for-loss and 8.0 sacks. His 16.0 career sacks rank tied for No. 15 in Penn State history and his 27.0 career TFLs are just five shy of entering the top-15 in the PSU record books.
The only FBS player to rank among the national leaders in sacks and interceptions per game in 2014, Zettel tied for the team lead in interceptions. The athletic defensive lineman nabbed three interceptions, which were the most by a PSU defensive lineman since at least 1959. He added one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and eight pass deflections.
After his breakout 2014 campaign, Zettel has seen his name scribed on four national preseason award watch lists; Bednarik Award (National Defensive Player of the Year), Lombardi Award (Nation's Top Lineman/Linebacker), Nagurski Trophy (Defensive Player of the Year) and Outland Trophy (Nation's Top Interior Lineman). The senior is also among the preseason candidates for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, awarded to the top defensive player in college football who makes the biggest impact for his team, both on and off the field.
Season, partial season and single game tickets for the 2015 campaign are on sale, with nearly 4,200 new season tickets having been sold. To purchase tickets or for information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing new 2015 season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.
East Division
Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Anthony Zettel, DT, Penn State
West Division *
Drew Ott, DE, Iowa
Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska
De'Mornay Pierson-El, WR, Nebraska
Justin Jackson, RB, Northwestern
Michael Caputo, S, Wisconsin
Corey Clement, RB, Wisconsin
* Additional honoree due to tie
--NITTANY LIONS--