Penn State's Olaivavega Ioane Lands Bold Draft Prediction

Penn State Nittany Lions star Olaivavega Ioane is a likely first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Ioane established himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the draft class.

In Fox Sports' latest mock draft article, they have Ioane landing with the Minnesota Vikings with the 18th overall pick.

Ioane could be a great fit for Minnesota, which needs to improve the interior of its offensive line. 

He could slot in at guard and start right away for the Vikings, who need to protect their quarterback, whether it's J.J. McCarthy or another option taking snaps under center.

With a talented wide receiver like Justin Jefferson, it's important to protect the quarterback so they have time to deliver the ball downfield to one of the best wideouts in the league.

Ioane would help bolster their offensive line and has the experience to contribute right away.

Ioane was a quality starter during his time at Penn State. He earned All-Big Ten Team Honors twice and was named a first-team All-American in 2025.

He was one of the few bright spots for the Nittany Lions in the 2025 season. Penn State entered 2025 expected to be in the College Football Playoff and to contend for the National Championship.

However, they fell way short, going just 7-6 and firing longtime head coach James Franklin midseason.

The Nittany Lions replaced Franklin with Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell. Campbell had a great track record at Iowa State, holding a 72-55 record across 10 seasons.

Campbell was active in retooling Penn State's roster this offseason, as he was aggressive in the transfer portal, particularly in bringing players from Iowa State over to the Happy Valley with him.

However, it won't be an easy turnaround for the Nittany Lions, as they have to replace high-quality starters like Ioane. Building up an offensive line should be one of the top priorities for Campbell and Penn State.

Ioane has established himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the upcoming NFL Draft and would be a great fit for a team like the Vikings.

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