Penn State football has a veteran-laden roster which makes it no surprise that many Lions made ESPN's list of college football's top 100 players.
Penn State has a veteran-laden roster, which makes it no surprise that many Nittany Lions made ESPN’s list of college football’s top 100 players. A total of seven members of head coach James Franklin’s team made the cut. That’s more than Ohio State, which had five, and Texas (six).
Running back Nick Singleton leads the way for Penn State. The senior checks in at No. 15 overall. His classmate and fellow ball carrier, Kaytron Allen, is No. 34.
“Singleton teams up with Kaytron Allen to give Penn State perhaps the best running back duo in the country,” Jake Trotter writes.
Adds Adam Rittenberg:
“Allen forms half of arguably the best running back tandem in Penn State history, as he and Nicholas Singleton both have eclipsed 2,800 career yards. The 217-pound Allen had a career-high 1,108 rushing yards in 2024 to finish fifth in the Big Ten, logging four 100-yard games and remaining a factor in the passing attack with 18 receptions. He repeatedly gashed Oregon in the Big Ten championship game and averaged 7.9 yards per carry against Boise State in a CFP quarterfinal win at the Fiesta Bowl.”
Two Nittany Lions fall between Singleton and Allen. Senior quarterback Drew Allar is No. 15 overall. And, senior defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton is No. 26.
“Dennis-Sutton recorded 6.5 of his 8.5 sacks in Penn State’s final seven games, and he should shine in new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ aggressive scheme,” Rittenberg writes.
The three other Penn State players on the list are toward the back third of it. Defensive tackle Zane Durant is No. 72. Guard Vega Ioane is No. 74. And, safety Zakee Wheatley is No. 85.
Which Penn State opponents are on the list?
Penn State will face many of the players in the top 100 this fall. The list includes the No. 1 overall pick, Ohio State safety Jeremiah Smith. Star Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs checks in at No. 3. Other members of head coach Ryan Day’s team who are on the list include linebacker Sonny Styles (No. 62), receiver Carnell Tate (No. 67), and tight end Max Klare (No. 75).
Outside of Columbus, here’s who else made the cut:
No. 98: Iowa center Logan Jones
No. 84: Rutgers defensive end Eric O’Neill
#82: Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Pounds
No. 78: Indiana receiver Elijah Sarratt
No. 77: Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher
#44: Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman
No. 35: Indiana defensive end Mikail Kamara
No. 30: Oregon running back Makhi Hughes
#20: Oregon defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei
Category: General Sports
