Vega Ioane’s 2025 season just keeps stacking accolades - and for good reason.
The Penn State redshirt junior was named to the FWAA All-America second team on Thursday, marking his third All-American honor from an NCAA-recognized outlet this season. That kind of recognition doesn’t come easy, especially in the trenches, but Ioane has made it look routine. He’s not just turning heads - he’s cementing his place as one of the best interior offensive linemen in the country.
This latest nod from the Football Writers Association of America joins second-team selections from both the Associated Press and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. And that’s not the end of the list.
Ioane has also earned first-team All-America honors from CBS Sports and On3, while The Athletic and Sports Illustrated both placed him on their second teams. That’s a full trophy case for a lineman who’s been as steady as they come all season long.
And it’s not like this buzz came out of nowhere - Ioane entered 2025 with high expectations. He was a Preseason All-American according to six major outlets, including ESPN and The Sporting News. That kind of preseason hype can be a heavy burden, but Ioane didn’t just carry it - he bulldozed through it.
At 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds, the Washington native has been a rock on the Nittany Lions’ offensive front. He’s made 32 starts across 44 career appearances, and this season, he’s been a key piece of a line that helped fuel one of the top rushing attacks in the country. Whether it’s creating lanes for the backs or locking down in pass protection, Ioane’s been doing it all - and doing it at an elite level.
Just ask Pro Football Focus. Across 310 pass-blocking snaps in 2025, Ioane hasn’t allowed a single sack.
Not one. He’s only given up three total pressures and earned an 89.8 pass-blocking grade - third-best among all Power Four guards.
That’s not just good, that’s dominant.
In a season where Penn State leaned heavily on its offensive line to control games and set the tone, Ioane has been the anchor. His blend of strength, technique, and consistency has made him one of the most reliable linemen in the nation - and the awards are simply catching up to the tape.
With multiple All-America honors now under his belt, Ioane’s 2025 campaign stands as a testament to what happens when talent, preparation, and execution all come together. He’s not just a standout on Penn State’s roster - he’s one of the premier interior linemen in all of college football.