Penn State football has been the talk of the offseason coming off a College Football semifinal run. The Nittany Lions brought back several key starters, including quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
Expectations for Penn State to go one game further in the CFP are as high as ever, with many predicting them as a top national title contender. Can James Franklin’s team live up to the hype? They certainly have the talent on the coaching staff and in the locker room to win a championship.
Like most top college football programs, Penn State must replace a few standout NFL-bound starters, such as Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren. Some players that Penn State brought in this offseason will help fill those massive shoes, but it won’t be easy.
New leaders will emerge this spring and throughout the fall. A list of PSU’s best players for 2025 will look different than a year ago, when the two likely top-10 picks sat atop any ranking of Penn State’s roster. Which players will be the best of the best this time around, with so much seemingly on the line for a veteran-laden Niittany Lions squad?
We take a stab at identifying the top ten players on the Penn State football team for 2025 in a way-too-early projection. Some we feel really good about, and others, we’re hoping things will pan out a certain way. Here is how we see the top ten Nittany Lions heading into 2025.
No. 10 – Elliot Washington II, Cornerback
Washington might be our biggest reach in these rankings, but he deserves the recognition. He is already making his mark in winter workouts after an excellent sophomore season. He racked up 26 tackles, seven pass breakups, and an interception, playing behind Jalen Kimber and AJ Harris last season. He is the likely starter to opposite Harris this season when another leap in improvement is expected.
No. 9 – Luke Reynolds, Tight End
Reynolds arguably has the most enormous shoes to fill with Mackey Award winner Tyler Warren departing for the NFL. However, the former 5-star recruit is more than capable of turning into a star himself, and he should have had significant flashes several times as a true freshman last season. He won’t be asked to do everything Warren did, but I expect a big year from Reynolds in 2025.
No. 8 – Vega Ioane, Left Guard
Left guard is not a sexy position, but offensive line continuity is necessary for a team with championship aspirations. Ioane was Penn State’s best offensive lineman last season, according to several PFF metrics, including pass and run blocking. Keeping the pocket clean for Drew Allar was a big key in the previous season, especially limiting pressure up the middle. Ioane will likely be an all-Big Ten-type performer who significantly improves his NFL draft stock.
No. 7 – Zane Durant, Defensive Tackle
Durant’s return to Penn State was a massive win for the Nittany Lions. He was by far Penn State’s best interior disrupter, recording 42 tackles (22 solo), 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a pass breakup. With Abdul Carter now playing on Sundays, even more will be asked of Durant to continue to pressure the quarterback up the middle.
No. 6 – Dani-Dennis Sutton, Defensive End
Dennis-Sutton (No. 33) will take over as Penn State’s top pass rusher after Abdul Carter’s entrance into the NFL. After making 14 starts last season, Dennis-Sutton finished with 42 tackles (24 solo) to go along with 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception and three pass breakups. His 8.5 sacks were second on the team to Carter. He was a game-wrecker in Penn State’s CFP win over SMU, and his production levels in 2025 will go a long way in determining the success of Penn State’s defense.
No. 5 – Zakee Wheatley, Safety
The defensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl will be one of Penn State’s defensive leaders in 2025. Wheatley racked up 95 tackles, one sack, four pass deflections, three interceptions, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles. He is a playmaker in the secondary, and that will surely only increase next year. By next winter, we could be talking bout the best free safety in the Big Ten and one of the top safeties in the nation.
No. 4 – A.J. Harris
The Georgia transfer made a massive impact in his first season in Happy Valley. Harris became Penn State’s top outside corner, finishing with 48 total tackles, five pass deflections, and an interception. Harris showed he plays the run well and is a good tackler, making his impact go beyond pass coverage. He will once again be tasked with shutting down one side of the field.
No. 3 – Kaytron Allen, Running Back
One half of Penn State’s elite running back duo, Allen is set up for another huge year to finish off his career at Penn State. Allen rushed for 1,108 yards on 220 carries with eight touchdowns. He posted four 100-yard games while averaging 5.1 yards per carry in 16 games. He and the next two guys on this list are why Penn State has such high hopes for next season.
No. 2 – Nicholas Singleton, Running Back
The more explosive of Penn State’s dynamic one-two punch in the backfield. He was named Penn State’s offensive MVP, along with his backfield mate last year and likely enters 2025 as the top running back in the Big Ten. He ranked third in the Big Ten in all-purpose yards with 105 yards per game and tied fifth in rushing touchdowns (8). The explosive Singleton will cement himself as a first-round pick with another dominant season.
No. 1 – Drew Allar, Quarterback
The final piece and leader of Penn State’s elite backfield. Drew Allar stayed at Penn State and wants to take that next step in his final year. He showed improvement in 2024, completing 66.5% of his passes for 3,327 yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also showed significant improvement using his legs, rushing 96 times for 302 yards and six scored. He enters his senior year as the most experienced quarterback in the Big Ten, a top 10 quarterback in the country and a Heisman trophy candidate.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Top ten Penn State football players looking ahead to 2025
