UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Senior running back Kaytron Allen and redshirt junior offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane were named All-Big Ten first team honorees, announced by the conference on Thursday.
Allen was voted first team by the coaches and media, while Ioane was a first-team selection by the media.
Allen and Ioane were two of seven All-Big Ten honorees. Between offense, defense and special teams, the Nittany Lions garnered 18 All-Big Ten selections.
Kaytron Allen · Sr. · RB · 5-11 · 229 · Norfolk, Va. · IMG Academy (Fla.)
First Team (Coaches & Media)
- Earned All-Big Ten honorable mention by the media in 2024.
- Picked up second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and third-team from the media in 2023.
- On a 3-yard rush in the fourth quarter against Nebraska, Allen (4,180) became the all-time career rushing yards leader at Penn State, passing Evan Royster (3,932; 2007-10). On the day, Allen also moved past Saquon Barkley (3,843; 2015-17).
- Against Rutgers, Allen became the 23rd Big Ten player to reach the 4,000 career rushing yards mark and moved into 18th in Big Ten history.
- On a 2-yard rush against Nebraska, Allen went over the 1,000-rushing yard mark for the season. He now has 1,303 rushing yards in 2025, ranking 11th in a season at Penn State. He sits sixth in the country in rushing yards in 2025.
- His Big Ten-leading 15 rushing touchdowns in 2025 sit ninth in a season at Penn State
- Allen has posted five 100-yard rushing games this season, including four in Big Ten play (144 vs. FIU, 145 at Iowa, 181 at Michigan State, 160 vs. Nebraska, 226 vs. Rutgers), becoming the first Nittany Lion with four 100-yard games against Big Ten opponent since Miles Sanders in 2018.
- Allen earned his second career 1,000-yard rushing season. He is one of nine Nittany Lions with multiple 1000-yard rushing seasons and joins Nicholas Singleton as two of eight current FBS players with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
- After a rushing touchdown against Rutgers, Allen ranks third all-time at Penn State in both rushing touchdowns (39) and total touchdowns (43).
- Sits fifth all-time at Penn State with 4,711 career all-purpose yards.
- Against Indiana, became Penn State’s all-time leader in career rushing attempts and against Michigan State, became the 35th Big Ten player since 1956 to reach 700 career attempts.
- Leads current FBS players with 4,180 career rushing yards and ranks third with 39 career rushing touchdowns.
- Sits first in the FBS in yards per carry in the fourth quarter (8.2; min. 50 carries) and yards per carry on first down (7.9; min. 90 carries).
- Has 13 career 100-yard rushing games, eight career games with multiple rushing touchdowns and three games with 100+ rushing yards and 2+ rushing touchdowns.
- Rushed for 144 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown, against FIU.
- Ran for 76 yards and a score at Ohio State.
- Posted a career-high 28 carries for 145 yards and two touchdowns at Iowa.
- Rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns at Michigan State. Had runs of 42 and 26 yards in the fourth quarter, while averaging 7.2 yards per carry for the game.
- Tallied 160 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries against Nebraska, including a 50-yard run. He scored on runs of 3 and 13 yards.
- Rushed for a career-high 226 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries at Rutgers, including runs of 55, 43 and 50 yards. His 226 yards are PSU’s most in a game since Larry Johnson’s 279 vs. Michigan State in 2002 and the 12th-most in game in program history.
Olaivavega Ioane · R-Jr. · OL · 6-4 · 330 · Graham, Wash. · Graham-Kapowsin
First Team (Media), Second Team (Coaches)
- Was tabbed Preseason All-America by the Associated Press, Walter Camp, The Sporting News, The Athletic, CBS and ESPN.
- Selected All-Big Ten second team in 2024 and honorable mention in 2023.
- Has played in 44 games and made 32 starts at Penn State.
- According to PFF, has allowed zero sacks and two pressures in 310 pass blocking snaps in 2025.
- Owns an 89.8 pass blocking grade from PFF, the best in the Power 4.
- Helped Kaytron Allen to rank sixth in the country in rushing yards (1,303), seventh rushing yards per game (108.6) and rushing touchdowns (15) and 19th in yards per carry (6.2).
- Aided Allen (15) and Nicholas Singleton (13) to be the only FBS running back duo with 13+ rushing touchdowns this season and the first Big Ten teammates with 13+ rushing touchdowns in a season since Ohio State in 2012.
- Helped Allen to lead the FBS in yards per carry on first down (7.9; min. 90 carries) and in the fourth quarter (8.2; min. 50 carries).
- Helped the Nittany Lions to gain 400+ total yards in five games and 200+ rushing yards in five games.
Nick Dawkins · R-Sr.+ · OL · 6-4 · 295 · Allentown, Pa. · Parkland
Honorable Mention (Media)
- Earned the Big Ten’s Jackie Robinson Award.
- Named a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award.
- Won the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy in 2024.
- Played in 54 games and made 28 starts as a Nittany Lion.
- According to PFF, has allowed two sacks in 361 pass-blocking snaps.
- Aided the Nittany Lions to gain 400+ total yards in five games and 200+ rushing yards in five games.
- Guided Kaytron Allen to rank sixth in the country in rushing yards (1,303), seventh rushing yards per game (108.6) and rushing touchdowns (15) and 19th in yards per carry (6.2).
- Helped Allen (15) and Nicholas Singleton (13) to be the only FBS running back duo with 13+ rushing touchdowns this season and the first Big Ten teammates with 13+ rushing touchdowns in a season since Ohio State in 2012.
Khalil Dinkins · R-Sr. · TE · 6-4 · 251 · Wexford, Pa. · North Allegheny
Honorable Mention (Coaches & Media)
- Played in 49 games and started 15 games at Penn State.
- Has caught 37 passes for 399 yards and seven touchdowns in his career.
- In 2025, Dinkins has 14 catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
- Had a 9-yard touchdown grab against FIU and a 40-yard touchdown reception at UCLA.
Nolan Rucci · R-Sr. · OL · 6-8 · 307 · Lititz, Pa. · Warwick
Honorable Mention (Coaches)
- Has played in 28 games and made 12 starts as a Nittany Lion.
- According to PFF, allowed one sack in 302 pass-blocking snaps.
- Helped the Nittany Lions to gain 400+ total yards in five games and 200+ rushing yards in five games.
- Guided Kaytron Allen to rank sixth in the country in rushing yards (1,303), seventh rushing yards per game (108.6) and rushing touchdowns (15) and 19th in yards per carry (6.2).
- Aided Allen (15) and Nicholas Singleton (13) to be the only FBS running back duo with 13+ rushing touchdowns this season and the first Big Ten teammates with 13+ rushing touchdowns in a season since Ohio State in 2012.
Drew Shelton · Sr. · OL · 6-6 · 305 · Downingtown, Pa. · Downingtown West
Honorable Mention (Coaches & Media)
- Selected All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2024.
- Played in 48 games and made 34 starts at Penn State.
- According to PFF, allowed one sack in 354 pass-blocking snaps this season.
- Helped the Nittany Lions to gain 400+ total yards in five games and 200+ rushing yards in five games.
- Guided Kaytron Allen to rank sixth in the country in rushing yards (1,303), seventh rushing yards per game (108.6) and rushing touchdowns (15) and 19th in yards per carry (6.2).
- Helped Allen (15) and Nicholas Singleton (13) to be the only FBS running back duo with 13+ rushing touchdowns this season and the first Big Ten teammates with 13+ rushing touchdowns in a season since Ohio State in 2012.
Nicholas Singleton · Sr. · RB · 6-0 · 224 · Shillington, Pa. · Governor Mifflin
Honorable Mention (Media)
- Voted All-Big Ten honorable mention as a running back and return specialist in 2024.
- Earned All-Big Ten third-team honors in 2022 and 2023.
- Owns 622 carries for 3,461 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns, as well as 102 receptions for 987 yards and nine touchdowns, in his Penn State career.
- Against Rutgers, Singleton passed Saquon Barkley (2015-17) for Penn State career records in rushing touchdowns (45), total touchdowns (55) and all-purpose yards (5,586) and ranks fourth at PSU in career rushing yards (3,461).
- He leads active FBS players in rushing touchdowns (45), total touchdowns (55) and all-purpose yards (5,586), while ranking third in rushing yards (3,461).
- Became first Big Ten player with 5,000+ career all-purpose yards and 50+ touchdowns since Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor (2017-19) and joined Saquon Barkley (2015-17) as the only Nittany Lions to do so.
Penn State concluded the regular season with a 6-6 record and is eligible to make its 57th postseason appearance in a bowl game to be determined.
The 2025 Penn State Football season is presented by PSECU.