Four Nittany Lions make preseason All-American teams

In a preseason that has contained the most hype for the Nittany Lions in over two decades, Penn State continues to dominate preseason All-American teams. The AP just released their teams yesterday and Penn State's dominance was almost certainly felt.

Four Nittany Lions ultimately ended up landing on their teams, with three first-team selections and one second-team selection. That ties them with Texas for most first-team selections in the country and finally gives them a second-teamer after the same three players had been selected to the first teams of several other publications.

The three players in question that again made the first team are defensive tackle and breakout star of last season Zane Durant, offensive lineman Olaivevega Ioane, and star running back Nicholas Singleton. Backfield running mate Kaytron Allen slots into the second team. This marks Durant's fifth preseason All-American team selection across five publications, Ioane's sixth, and Singleton's fifth. This is Allen's second second-team selection, but it is still notable that one of the deepest squads somehow don't have the subsequent depth on All-American preseason teams.

Despite some snubs however, the fact that Durant, Ioane, and Singleton have represented the team so strongly must feel good for Penn State fans. Durant had a breakout 2024 that saw him tied for first amongst defensive tackles and sacks with three and third in TFLs with 11. Ioane was an All-Big Ten second team selection last year and helped the Nittany Lions have one of the most efficient offenses in the country, leading the nation in first downs. And people don't have to be told about both Singleton and Allen, as both could be on the precipice of being Nos. 1 and 2, respectively on Penn State's all-time rushing leaders charts. They already are 1 and 2 in terms of returning FBS players, so why not go for a program record and leave a major legacy behind? These preseason All-American selections do bolster their odds.

Most importantly, this gives Penn State bragging rights within the conference. In fact, the only other Big Ten squad to even have multiple first-team selections was No. 3 Ohio State, landing both Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs on the first team. Not even those selections can slow Penn State's mojo however. Let's see if these selections prove the Associated Press right.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Four Nittany Lions make preseason All-American teams