We recently wrapped up our annual preseason top 10 players series, with linebacker Tony Rojas taking the top spot.
Today we’ll take a look at the full voting breakdown from the BSD staff and some observations. As a reminder, each member of the staff contributes their own top 10 list, with 10 points for a first place vote, nine points for a second-place vote, and so on. Below are the results from the staff vote:
1. LB Tony Rojas
2. OT Anthony Donkoh
3. QB Rocco Becht
4. LB Marcus Neal
5. TE Andrew Rappleyeah (tie)
5. CB Daryus Dixson (tie)
7. TE Benjamin Brahmer
8. OG Cooper Cousins
9. C Brock Riker
10. RB Carson Hansen
11. DE Caleb Bacon
12. WR Koby Howard
13. K Ryan Barker
14. DE Yvan Kemajou
15. CB/S Zion Tracy
16. OT Malachi Goodman
17. CB Audavion Collins
18. DT Armstrong Nnodim
19. WR Chase Sowell
20. S Jeremiah Cooper
OBSERVATIONS:
-Tony Rojas rode the strength of four first-place votes to claim the #1 spot heading into the season.
-Opinions varied greatly on Rocco Becht. He earned two first-place votes, two eight-place votes, and several in between.
-Carson Hansen appeared on just one ballot. However, since he received a second-place vote, he was able to sneak into the top 10.
-Anthony Donkoh was the only other Nittany Lion to receive a first-place vote other than Rojas and Becht. Donkoh received two first-place votes.
-Half of the top 10 were on the Penn State roster in 2025, while four were with Iowa State last season. Brock Riker is the outlier, transferring from Texas State.
-Of the players receiving votes, 11 were offensive players, nine were defensive players, and one special teams player.
-Chase Sowell appeared on three ballots, receiving a tenth-place vote all three times.
-Marcus Neal, Benjamin Brahmer and and Anthony Donkoh all received at least one second-place vote.
We will vote again on the top 10 after the 2026 season wraps up to re-evaluate our choices. Until then, get ready to enjoy a new season of college football kicking off on Saturday!
