Penn State senior defensive tackle Zane Durant and redshirt junior offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane continue to receive national recognition as both were named to the 2025 Lombardi Award Watchlist.
The Lombardi Award, established in 1970 and named after the legendary Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi, is presented to an outstanding lineman who best epitomizes the values of leadership, courage, performance and discipline on and off the field.
Lombardi was a member of Fordham’s legendary “Seven Blocks of Granite,” playing right guard.
For Durant, being included on the Lombardi Award Watchlist is his fourth major award to be recognized for.
Durant has been named to the Bednarik, Nagurski, Outland Trophy watch lists, as well as being named as a Preseason All-American by The Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation.
In 2024, Durant was one of the best interior defensive lineman in the nation, collecting 42 tackles (22 solo), 11 tackles for loss, and three sacks.
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Durant led all interior defensive lineman for 14 tackles for loss or no gain.
For Ioane, the Lombardi Award recognition comes off the heels of a second team All-Big Ten selection in 2024.
Ioane has been named as well to the Outland Trophy watch list, awarded annually to the best interior lineman in the country.
In 2024, Penn State did not allow a sack in five game along with finishing in the Top 10 with tackles for loss allowed per game (3.81 – No. 9).
Penn State led the nation in first downs (367) and finishing in the Top 25 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 and is presented annually by the Rotary Club of Houston.
