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Penn State leads Big Ten with three players preseason honors list

Mug-Shot 4x4by: Ryan Snyder07/22/25RyanSnyderOn3
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Running back Nick Singleton was one of three Penn State players to earn preseason honors from the Big Ten. (Photo Credit: Matthew O'Haren | Imagn Images)

Penn State head coach James Franklin won’t meet with reporters until Wednesday afternoon, but Big Ten Media Days kick off in Las Vegas on Tuesday afternoon.

Yesterday, the Nittany Lions were voted the team to beat this year in the conference according to a Cleveland.com poll. Now, on Tuesday, Penn State saw three of its current players earn a spot on this year’s preseason honors list. That was tied with Ohio State for the most on any team.

On offense, it’s no surprise that quarterback Drew Allar and running back Nick Singleton both earned spots on the list. Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton also earned a spot on the 16-member list. All three are not only seniors, but they were also the three five-star prospects who made up Penn State’s 2022 recruiting class, which remains the top-ranked class under Franklin.

Allar enters his final season following a strong junior campaign that saw him throw for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also added another 306 yards and six touchdowns with his feet. If Medina, Ohio, native progresses the way many expect him to this upcoming season, Allar could emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was one of two quarterbacks to make the list, joining Illinois’ Luke Altmyer.

Singleton is also coming off his strongest season with the Nittany Lions, rushing for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns while also adding 375 yards receiving and five more touchdowns. All that while splitting carries with Penn State’s other stud running back, Kaytron Allen. Both Singleton and Allen are expected to be among the top five or so running backs selected in next year’s draft.

Playing alongside Abdul Carter last year, it wasn’t until later in the season that Dennis-Sutton showed the nation just how dominant he could be. Although he finished his junior year with career highs in tackles (42), tackles for loss (13), and sacks (8.5), much of that production came in Penn State’s three College Football Playoff games, totaling six tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks combined against SMU, Boise State and Notre Dame. Add in the two turnovers he forced against the Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl and it’s understandable why Denni-Sutton’s stock is so high coming into 2025.

Overall, seven Big Ten programs had at least one player make the list. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was the lone unanimous selection this year.

Fans can check out the complete list below.

Complete 2025 Big Ten Preseason Honors List

QB Luke Altmyer, Illinois
OLB Gabe Jacas, Illinois

DL Mikail Kamara, Indiana
DB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana

OT Gennings Dunker, Iowa
C Logan Jones, Iowa

DB Koi Perich, Minnesota

OLB Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
DB Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

SAF Caleb Downs, Ohio State    
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State  
LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State       

QB Drew Allar, Penn State          
DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State  
RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State  

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