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Pitt, Penn State Football Players Recognized Among the Best in the Nation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pitt and Penn State football players are making a name for themselves in the nation's top sports circles. The 2025 season is just around the corner, and the Panthers and Nittany Lions are already building momentum. The Sporting News Preseason All-American team has released its picks, and several players from both teams have made the cut. Redshirt junior linebacker Kyle Louis and senior running back Desmond Reid of Pitt, as well as Penn State's guard Olaivevega Ionae, were selected for the prestigious team.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pitt redshirt junior linebacker Kyle Louis has been named to the first-team Sporting News Preseason All-American team, with 101 tackles in 13 games last season, four interceptions, and seven sacks.
  • Louis is also on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, and Walter Camp Player of the Year watch lists in the preseason.
  • Senior running back Desmond Reid of Pitt was tabbed first-team All-ACC in 2024 with 966 rushing yards, five touchdowns, 52 catches, 579 yards, and four touchdowns through the air.
  • Reid is also on the watch lists for the Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award.
  • Penn State's guard Olaivevega Ionae, a redshirt junior, was a leading blocker for two 1,000-yard rushers last season and is on the Outland Trophy watch list.
  • Senior running back Nick Singleton of Penn State has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in two of his first three seasons, with 2,912 rushing yards, 32 rushing touchdowns, and 78 receptions.
  • Singleton is on the watch lists for the Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
  • Senior defensive lineman Zane Durant of Penn State has six sacks and 17 1/2 tackles for loss through three seasons, and is on the Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy watch lists.

Statistics:

  • Kyle Louis had 101 tackles in 13 games last season, with four interceptions and seven sacks.
  • Desmond Reid had 966 rushing yards, five touchdowns, 52 catches, 579 yards, and four touchdowns through the air in 2024.
  • Nick Singleton has 2,912 rushing yards, 32 rushing touchdowns, and 78 receptions in his three-season career at Penn State.
  • Olaivevega Ionae was a leading blocker for two 1,000-yard rushers last season.
  • Zane Durant has six sacks and 17 1/2 tackles for loss through three seasons at Penn State.

Sources:

  • The Tribune-Review (Greensburg, Pa.)
  • Sporting News
  • Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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