UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State senior defensive tackle Zane Durant and redshirt junior offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane were tabbed to the Lombardi Award watch list on Tuesday.
The Lombardi Award, established in 1970, was presented to an outstanding lineman who best epitomizes the values of leadership, courage, performance and discipline on and off the field.
Zane Durant · Sr. · DT · 6-1 · 294 · Lake Nona, Fla. · Lake Nona
- Tabbed to Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy watch lists.
- Named Preseason All-America by The Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation.
- Has appeared in 42 career games, making 28 starts.
- Voted All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2023 and 2024.
- Has tallied 64 tackles (35 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup.
- He has three career games with multiple tackles for loss.
- In 2024, Durant collected 42 tackles (22 solo), 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and a pass breakup.
- He ranked fourth among FBS defensive tackles (2nd in Big Ten) with 11 tackles for loss and tied for first among Big Ten defensive tackles with three sacks.
- Named the Coaching Staff’s Defensive Player of the Game three times (Bowling Green - 9/7; Illinois - 9/28; Minnesota - 11/23).
Olaivavega Ioane · R-Jr. · OL · 6-4 · 330 · Graham, Wash. · Graham-Kapowsin
- Tabbed to Outland Trophy watch list.
- Named Preseason All-America by The Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation.
- Selected All-Big Ten second team in 2024.
- Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2023 and 2024.
- Has appeared in 33 career games, making 21 starts.
- In 2024, Penn State did not allow a sack against West Virginia, USC, Washington, Purdue or Maryland.
- Helped Penn State to rank ninth in the nation in tackles for loss allowed per game (3.81) and 23rd in sacks allowed per game (1.25).
- Also helped the Nittany Lions to lead the country in first downs (367), while ranking 10th in passing efficiency (154.98), fourth down conversion percentage (72.0), 11th in completion percentage (66.8), 17th in rushing offense (202.3), 19th in third down conversion percentage (45.9) and 25th in red zone offense (89.4).
The 2025 Lombardi Award dinner will take place on December 10, 2025.
Penn State Football Recognized On Preseason Watch Lists:
Drew Allar – Davey O’Brien Award, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award
Kaytron Allen – Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award
Cooper Cousins – Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
Dani Dennis-Sutton – Bednarik Award
Khalil Dinkins – Mackey Award
Zane Durant – Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy
Tyler Duzansky – Mannelly Award
A.J. Harris – Bednarik Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy, Nagurski Trophy
Olaivavega Ioane – Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy
Trebor Peña – Biletnikoff Award, Paul Hornung Award
Devonte Ross – Biletnikoff Award
Nicholas Singleton – Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award
Penn State Football Recognized On Preseason All-America Teams:
Zane Durant - The Sporting News, Walter Camp
Olaivavega Ioane - The Sporting News, Walter Camp
Nicholas Singleton - The Sporting News, Walter Camp
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and ticket information for the 2025 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.GoPSUsports.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.