Vega Ioane is the first Penn State player and first guard selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The former Nittany Lions starting left guard heard his name called in Pittsburgh, under two and a half hours away from Happy Valley.
Ioane was selected 14th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round on Thursday night.
He is the second Penn State offensive lineman drafted in the first round in the last three years, joining Jets offensive tackle Olu Fashanu (11th overall) in 2024.
Ioane is considered by draft evaluators to be a plug-and-play prospect who can impact an offensive line for the next decade.
A 6-foot-4, 330-pound redshirt junior, Ioane was awarded First-Team All-American honors by On3 and CBS.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Ioane started 11 games last season and consistently set the tone up front for senior running back Kaytron Allen to break Penn State’s all-time career rushing record.
He also played a key role at times pre-snap, occasionally going in motion to kick out on a linebacker or defensive end, flattening defenders on run plays.
Ioane started 33 games over his last three seasons at Penn State, including all 16 games two years ago as PSU reached the College Football Playoff semifinals.
One of the best players in college football, Ioane was voted an All-Big Ten First-Team recipient by the media and All-Big Ten Second-Team by conference coaches. He also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Pittsburgh is host to the 2026 NFL Draft from Acrisure Stadium from April 23-25.
