Penn State Football: Nearly Two Dozen Nittany Lions Recognized With All-Big Ten Selections

Penn State football has had 23 different Nittany Lions named to various postseason All-Big Ten teams over the past two days. The conference announced defensive and special teams awards on Tuesday while Wednesday featured offensive players. Penn State true freshman running back Nick Singleton was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

On the offensive side of the ball, offensive lineman Olu Fashanu was the highest honored Nittany Lion, landing second-team All-Big Ten recognition from the coaches and third-team honors from the media. Singleton earned third-team honors from both the media and coaches. The only other Nittany Lions to make an All-Big Ten offensive team were center Juice Scruggs and tight end Brenton Strange, both named to the third team by the coaches and honorable mentions by the media.

In addition to those Nittany Lions, quarterback Sean Clifford, wide receiver Parker Washington, running back Kaytron Allen and offensive linemen Hunter Nourzad, Sal Wormley and Bryce Effner all earned honorable mention nods from coaches or media.

On the defensive side of the ball cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was an unanimous first-team recognition. Sixth-year senior defensive tackle PJ Mustipher and true freshman linebacker Abdul Carter both were selected to the Big Ten’s second-team, with Mustipher getting the nod from coaches’ while Carter was selected by the media.

In addition to those three, defensive end Adisa Isaac, safety Ji’Ayir Brown, and cornerback Kalen King earned third-team honors while defensive end Chop Robinson, linebacker Curtis Jacobs, defensive end Nick Tarburton, and cornerback Johnny Dixon all received honorable mention nods.

No Nittany Lions were named to the All-Big Ten first team for special teams, but Singleton earned second-team honors as a return specialist, while punter Barney Amor, kicker Jake Pinegar, and Singleton also earned honorable mentions. Amor and Singleton’s honorable mentions came by virtue of the coaches’ vote while Pinegar was tabbed by the media.