Penn State football earns nine Athlon Sports preseason All-Big Ten nods

Penn State football earns nine Athlon Sports preseason All-Big Ten nods says Penn State placed nine players on Athlon Sports’ preseason All-Big Ten teams for the 2026 season. The selections include a mix of returning Nittany Lions and transfers arriving from Iowa State. Athlon clarified that the rosters project performance for 2026 rather than simply repeat past achievements, and Penn State received no first-team picks across offense, defense, or special teams. Three players earned second-team status: tight end Benjamin Brahmer, linebacker Caleb Bacon, and safety Marcus Neal. Brahmer is coming off a 37-catch, 446-yard, six-touchdown season at Iowa State and also received Phil Steele preseason All-America third-team recognition and Athlon preseason All-America fourth-team honors. Penn State’s third-team choices were running back Carson Hansen, starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh, linebacker Tony Rojas, and safety Jeremiah Cooper, plus kicker Ryan Barker for specialists. The 2026 season opens Sept. 5 versus Marshall at Beaver Stadium at 3:30 p.m.