Penn State’s offensive line has been a steady force all season, and one of its anchors just added another piece of hardware to his growing résumé. Left guard Vega Ioane has been named a second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), marking his third All-America honor this season.
For Ioane, the recognition is more than just a title-it’s a testament to the kind of dominant, consistent play that offensive linemen dream of but rarely get credit for. The FWAA nod joins second-team selections from both the Associated Press and Walter Camp, making it a clean sweep across some of the most respected All-America lists in college football.
And the accolades don’t stop there. Within the Big Ten, Ioane earned first-team honors from the conference’s media and landed on the coaches’ second team. That’s the kind of across-the-board respect that speaks volumes about his impact in the trenches.
Let’s talk production. Ioane started 11 games for the Nittany Lions this season, missing only the Iowa matchup due to injury.
When he was on the field, he was a wall in pass protection-zero sacks allowed on 310 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s not just good, that’s elite.
In a conference known for its physical defensive fronts, keeping your quarterback clean over that many reps is no small feat.
What makes Ioane’s performance stand out even more is the position he plays. Left guard isn’t typically where the spotlight shines, but it’s where the dirty work happens-moving bodies, picking up stunts, and setting the tone for the run game. Ioane did all of that and more, bringing a blend of power, technique, and awareness that helped stabilize Penn State’s offense throughout the year.
This kind of recognition doesn’t just reflect individual talent-it’s also a reflection of trust. Trust from coaches to anchor the interior line.
Trust from teammates to hold the pocket. And now, trust from national voters who’ve seen enough tape to know that Vega Ioane belongs among the best in the country.
For Penn State, having a lineman of Ioane’s caliber earn multiple All-America honors is a strong endorsement of the program’s development up front. And for Ioane, it’s a well-earned spotlight on a season defined by grit, reliability, and dominance in the trenches.