UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State senior defensive tackle Zane Durant was named to the Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch lists on Tuesday. Junior cornerback A.J. Harris joined Durant on the Nagurski watch list, while redshirt junior Olaivavega Ioane is also on the Outland Trophy watch list.
The Outland Trophy is given to the best interior lineman, offensive or defensive, in college football.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club, recognizes the best defensive player in college football.
Zane Durant · Sr. · DT · 6-1 · 294 · Lake Nona, Fla. · Lake Nona
- Named Preseason All-America by Walter Camp Football Foundation.
- Has appeared in 42 career games, making 28 starts.
- Voted All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2023 and 2024.
- Has tallied 64 tackles (35 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup.
- He has three career games with multiple tackles for loss.
- In 2024, Durant collected 42 tackles (22 solo), 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and a pass breakup.
- He ranked fourth among FBS defensive tackles (2nd in Big Ten) with 11 tackles for loss and tied for first among Big Ten defensive tackles with three sacks.
- Named the Coaching Staff’s Defensive Player of the Game three times (Bowling Green - 9/7; Illinois - 9/28; Minnesota - 11/23).
A.J. Harris · Jr. · CB · 6-1 · 191 · Phenix City, Ala. · Central
- Tabbed to the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list.
- Voted All-Big Ten third team by the coaches and media in 2024.
- Played in all 16 games and made 15 starts last season.
- Finished with 48 tackles (28 solo), four tackles for loss, one interception and five pass breakups in 2024.
- Assisted on three tackles and added a pass breakup at West Virginia (8/31).
- Grabbed his first career interception and returned it 20 yards, while adding four tackles and a pass breakup against Illinois (9/28).
- Tallied three tackles and a pass breakup vs. Washington (11/9).
- Posted five tackles and a tackle for loss at Minnesota (11/23).
- Made a career-high seven stops (5 solo) and a tackle for loss vs. Oregon (12/7).
- Recorded three tackles and a pass breakup vs. Notre Dame (1/9).
Olaivavega Ioane · R-Jr. · OL · 6-4 · 330 · Graham, Wash. · Graham-Kapowsin
- Named Preseason All-America by Walter Camp Football Foundation.
- Selected All-Big Ten second team in 2024.
- Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2023 and 2024.
- Has appeared in 33 career games, making 21 starts.
- In 2024, Penn State did not allow a sack against West Virginia, USC, Washington, Purdue or Maryland.
- Helped Penn State to rank ninth in the nation in tackles for loss allowed per game (3.81) and 23rd in sacks allowed per game (1.25).
- Also helped the Nittany Lions to lead the country in first downs (367), while ranking 10th in passing efficiency (154.98), fourth down conversion percentage (72.0), 11th in completion percentage (66.8), 17th in rushing offense (202.3), 19th in third down conversion percentage (45.9) and 25th in red zone offense (89.4).
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce the finalists for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy in November and the winner will be unveiled on December 8 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given annually since 1993, is named in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski played for the Chicago Bears after his college career. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Hall of Fame.
The recipient of the 2025 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Friday, December 12. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on January 21, 2026.
The Outland Trophy, created in 1946, is named in honor of Dr. John Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s.
Penn State Football Recognized On Preseason Watch Lists:
Drew Allar – Maxwell Award
Kaytron Allen – Maxwell Award
Zane Durant – Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy
A.J. Harris – Lott IMPACT Trophy, Nagurski Trophy
Vega Ioane – Outland Trophy
Nicholas Singleton – Maxwell Award
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and ticket information for the 2025 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.GoPSUsports.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.