Penn State players on defense, special teams are up for All-Big Ten honors today: Newsstand

Penn State news, notes, and updates for Dec. 3 include a preview of today’s All-Big Ten awards announcement, headlines of the day, and more.

First, though, we start with the news of the day: Pat Kraft’s search to find the Lions’ 17th head coach in program history hits day 52 today after Kalani Sitake bucked PSU’s interest to stay at his alma mater on a new long-term deal.

Moving on, BTN will air a 60-minute edition of ‘B1G Today’ starting at Noon ET on Wednesday. During the show, host Rick Pizzo and analyst Gerry DiNardo will reveal the all-conference teams on defense and special teams as voted on by conference coaches and the media. The following individual awards will also go out:

Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year

Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year

Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year

Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year

Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year

Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year

Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year

Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year and Dave McClain Coach of the Year

Penn State kicker Ryan Barker is in the kicker of the year conversation. Gabe Nwosu is in the punter of the year award mix, as well. And numerous defenders, headlined by safety Zakee Wheatley, will make one of the three teams on defense.

Offense awards, plus those all-conference teams, will come out on Thursday. That will happen between Noon – 1 p.m. ET, as well.

In other news, the Big Ten announced volleyball postseason honors on Tuesday. Penn State senior Gillian Grimes is the conference’s Libero of the year. She and junior Kennedy Martin were first-team All-Big Ten selections. Senior Maggie Mendelson took home second-team honors. And, graduate senior Addie Lyon is the program’s sportsmanship honoree.

𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗧𝗘𝗡 🏐

1⃣ 𝙂𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨
1⃣ 𝙆𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙙𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣
2⃣ 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙜𝙞𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙤𝙣#WeAre pic.twitter.com/5nnMwh1zbF

— Penn State Women’s Volleyball (@PennStateVBALL) December 2, 2025

Headlines of the day

Which Penn State players have a case to make for one of the Big Ten’s 14 individual honors?: Pickel, BWI

Another Penn State support staffer is leaving the Lions, and is expected to join James Franklin’s Virginia Tech staff: Pickel, BWI

Former Penn State commit Ben Eziuka set to join James Franklin at Virginia Tech: Snyder, BWI

Penn State long snapper Tyler Duzansky is a finalist for the Mannelly Award: Pickel, BWI

College football coaching carousel: Latest intel, updates at Penn State, LSU, Virginia Tech & more: Nakos, On3

Penn State star defender named national player of the week after Rutgers performance: Ralph, PennLive

Quote of the day

“I am humbled and full of gratitude for the outpouring of love from BYU fans and the trust and support provided to our football program by our university leadership. I’m thankful to President Shane Reese, Vice President Keith Vorkink and our Athletic Director Brian Santiago and his leadership team for the confidence they continue to place in me to lead our program and to take care of our players, coaches and staff. This is good for the stability and future of BYU football. I’m excited about our future.” 

Kilani Sitake on staying at BYU over coming to PSU.