Watch list season has arrived, and Penn State football is well represented for a number of awards. The Nittany Lions are looking to bring home some hardware this season, with 12 players named to preseason watch lists.
Here’s a look at which Penn State players were recognized, and the last Nittany Lion to win each award.
Maxwell Award: Quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen were named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football. The Nittany Lions’ three selections were the most by any team. Semifinalists for the award will be announced Nov. 11, and three finalists will be revealed on Nov. 25 before the winner is selected on Dec. 12. Penn State has had seven previous winners, most recently running back Larry Johnson in 2002.
Lott IMPACT Trophy: Cornerback A.J. Harris was named to the preseason watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, awarded annually to the defensive player of the year based on performance and character. Penn State’s only previous winner was defensive end Carl Nassib in 2015.
Outland Trophy: Defensive tackle Zane Durant and guard Vega Ioane were included on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, presented to the best interior lineman, offensive or defensive, in the country. The winner of the award will be named on Dec. 12. The only Nittany Lion to claim this honor was defensive tackle Mike Reid in 1969.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy: Durant was also named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list, an award given to the best defensive player in college football. The finalists will be announced in November and the winner will be announced on Dec. 12. Penn State has never had a player win, but has produced five finalists, most recently Abdul Carter last season.
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy: Interior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins was included on the preseason watch list for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, a community service award. Last year, center Nick Dawkins took home the trophy, Penn State’s first recipient.
Paul Hornung Award: Wide receiver Trebor Pena was named to the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in college football. In addition to his role as a slot receiver, Pena served as the kick and punt returner at Syracuse, his previous school. It’s unclear if he’ll play on special teams as a Nittany Lion. Running back Saquon Barkley is the only previous Nittany Lion to win, doing so in 2017.
Walter Camp Player of the Year: Allar and Singleton were tabbed to their second watch list of the preseason, putting them in the running for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award. The list will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists in November and three finalists in early December before the winner is announced on Dec. 12. Two former Nittany Lions have claimed the honor: running backs John Cappelletti in 1972 and Larry Johnson in 2002.
Patrick Mannelly Award: Tyler Duzansky was named to the preseason watch list for the Mannelly Award, presented to the nation’s top long snapper. Ten semifinalists will be revealed Nov. 17, which will be whittled down to three finalists on Dec. 1. The winner will be announced on Dec. 13. Penn State’s only previous winner is Chris Stoll in 2022.
Doak Walker Award: Singleton and Allen were included on the Doak Walker preseason watch list, an annual honor for the country’s top running back. Ten semifinalists will be named in November, three finalists will be named in late November and a winner will be revealed on Dec. 12. Larry Johnson is the only Nittany Lion to win the award, which came in 2002.
Biletnikoff Award: Pena and Devonte Ross received recognition on the Biletnikoff Award watch list, which recognizes the nation’s most outstanding receiver, regardless of position. Semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 17, finalists will be announced on Nov. 25 and the winner will be named on Dec. 12. The Nittany Lions’ only previous recipient is Bobby Engram in 1994.
Davey O’Brien Award: Allar’s third watch list inclusion comes from the Davey O’Brien Award, presented to the nation’s top quarterback. Semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 12, finalists will be named on Nov. 25 and the winner will be crowned on Dec. 11. Allar finished as a semifinalist for the award last season. Penn State’s two previous winners are Todd Blackledge (1982) and Kerry Collins (1994).
John Mackey Award: The Nittany Lions have consistently produced NFL talent at the tight end position, and Khalil Dinkins is next up. Before stepping into the starting role, Dinkins was named to the preseason watch list for the Mackey Award, won by Tyler Warren last season. The committee will unveil eight semifinalists on Oct. 30 and three finalists on Nov. 26 before the winner is revealed on Dec. 11. Warren is the only Nittany Lion to win the award, though Mike Gesicki was a finalist in 2017.
Chuck Bednarik Award: A trio of Penn State players are in the running for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s top defensive player. Durant, Harris and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton were included on the preseason watch list, vying to become the fifth Nittany Lion to take home the hardware. Previous winners include linebackers LaVar Arrington (1999), Paul Posluszny (2005 and 2006) and Dan Connor (2007). Semifinalists will be announced Nov. 11, finalists will be revealed Nov. 25 and the winner will be announced Dec. 11
Lombardi Award: Ioane and Durant were once again paired up on a watch list, this time for the Lombardi Award. The honor is presented yearly to the top lineman in college football, on offense or defense. The winner is set to be announced on Dec. 10 at an award banquet. The Nittany Lions have had two previous recipients – defensive tackle Bruce Clark in 1978 and defensive end Carl Nassib in 2015.
Manning Award: Allar was also named to the Manning Award watch list, an annual prize honoring the legacy of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. The award recognizes the top quarterback in the country, and unlike other awards, it factors in postseason performance. The winner, selected by a committee of voters including the Mannings, will be announced after the national championship. Allar will attempt to become the first Nittany Lion selected since the award was introduced in 2004.
