Penn State’s 2025 season didn’t go according to script, but two of the program’s cornerstone players still found a way to shine - and now they’re being recognized on a national stage.
Redshirt junior offensive lineman Vega Ioane and senior running back Kaytron Allen have both been named Associated Press All-Americans, with Ioane landing on the second team and Allen securing a spot on the third team. It’s a fitting capstone for two players who were among the most consistent and impactful performers on a team that struggled to meet expectations.
Let’s start with Ioane, who’s quietly built one of the more impressive résumés in the trenches over the past few years. After receiving preseason All-American buzz, the veteran lineman backed it up on the field, earning Walter Camp All-American honors as well. He’s now officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft and won’t suit up for the Pinstripe Bowl, but his body of work in Happy Valley speaks for itself.
Ioane missed just one game this season and has been a fixture on the line since becoming a full-time starter at the tail end of 2023. Over his four-year career, he logged 44 total appearances and 32 starts, anchoring a unit that leaned on his power and consistency. According to Pro Football Focus, Ioane posted the 13th-best performance grade this season among players with at least 483 snaps - a strong indicator of just how effective he was, even if it didn’t always show up in the box score.
His All-Big Ten recognition has been steady, too: second-team honors in each of the past two seasons, and an honorable mention in 2023. That’s the kind of progression NFL scouts love to see - a player who not only holds his ground but keeps getting better.
Then there’s Kaytron Allen, the senior running back who didn’t just carry the ball - he carried the offense. Allen capped off his final regular season by becoming Penn State’s all-time leading rusher, surpassing Evan Royster’s longstanding record. His 1,303-yard campaign this year pushed his career totals to 4,180 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns, numbers that put him among the elite backs in program history.
Allen’s production was the heartbeat of a Nittany Lions offense that often struggled to find rhythm. He topped the 100-yard mark five times, including one 200-yard breakout, and was the one constant in an otherwise inconsistent attack. His performance not only earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors this season, but also gave his NFL Draft stock a serious boost heading into the offseason.
He’s already committed to playing in the Senior Bowl this January - a key opportunity to showcase his skill set in front of pro scouts - but he has yet to announce whether he’ll play in the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson.
Allen’s journey to All-American status has been steady and well-earned, with previous second-team and honorable mention All-Big Ten nods building up to this season’s breakout. He’s the kind of back who gets stronger as the game goes on, and his durability and vision have made him a fan favorite and a locker room leader.
While the season didn’t end with championship banners or playoff berths, Penn State still walks away with two players who left their mark on the program - and are now being recognized as among the best in the country. For Ioane and Allen, the All-American honors are more than just accolades - they’re validation of years of hard work, development, and big-time performances when their team needed them most.