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Penn State OG Vega Ioane earns On3 All-America honors

Fitz headshot croppedby: Sean Fitz4 hours agoSeanFitzOn3

Penn State’s 2025 season didn’t exactly go to plan, but offensive lineman Vega Ioane was able to make the most of his fourth year with the Nittany Lions. The redshirt sophomore was named First-Team All-Big Ten last week, and on Wednesday, he added his first postseason All-American honor as well. Ioane was tabbed a First-Team All-American by On3. 

“I think he’s one of the best guards in the country,” Penn State offensive line coach Phil Trautwein said. “He continues to get better, is really working on his pass pro, and I think his run blocking is really good. Scouts want great players and also smart players who loves ball. Vega is one of those guys. His story is really cool. It’s incredible. And that’s just the type of kid he is, and that’s the type of kid we have in this program. They understand the big picture. It’s cool that he’s doing what he’s doing and getting better every single week.”

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Ioane helped pave the way for another First-Team All-Big Ten selection in running back Kaytron Allen, who set Penn State’s career mark for rushing yards in November. Pro Football Focus ranked Ioane as the No. 12 blocker in the country, regardless of position, among offensive linemen who have played at least 20 percent of 702 snaps. The outlet also ranks him as the No. 8 guard.

He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick in 2023. And, in 2024, he earned second-team all-conference honors from the coaches and the media. Ioane started 28 games over the last two seasons. And, he started 32 total in blue and white. His status for the upcoming Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson is yet to be determined. 

Joining Ioane on the On3 All-American offensive line was center Jake Slaughter of Florida, guard Emmanuel Pregnon of Oregon and tackles Spencer Fano of Utah and Francis Mauigoa of Miami. Ioane was Penn State’s only selection on the team and one of 13 Big Ten players on the team. Ohio State led all programs with five selections, while Indiana and Oregon added a pair. USC, Nebraska and Iowa were also represented. 

Will Vega Ioane be a first-round pick?

The Graham (Wash.) Graham-Kapowsin product has another year of eligibility remaining, and he’s yet to announce his plans for 2026, but it’s expected that he’ll move on after the 2025 season.ESPN’s analyst Matt Miller’s latest mock draft has Ioane going at No. 16 to Houston.

“The way Houston decided to remake its offensive line this past offseason was met with criticism around the league,” Miller writes. “The effort didn’t seem adequate in protecting quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has missed two games because of injury this season. The Texans need to hit on their OL rebuild and could use another early draft pick up front after selecting tackle Aireontae Ersery in the second round in 2025. Ioane is the best interior lineman in this class, locking down Penn State’s left guard spot for most of the past three seasons. At 6-4 and 330 pounds, he is a mauler who uses his leverage to clear rushing lanes and hasn’t allowed a sack all season.”

Earlier this week, Ioane was named as a finalist for the Polynesian Football Player of the Year Award.