Penn State offensive lineman Vega Ioane deserves the utmost praise for how he handled a loss to Ohio State on Saturday. He went out of his way to help a struggling college football staffer amid a verbal barrage from hecklers.
In a world full of so much negativity, this is the kind of thing that needs more attention.
Credit to James Franklin. He and the college football staff in (not-so) Happy Valley produced good men both on and off the field.
Who is Vega Ioane?
Olaivavega Ioane plays left guard for Penn State. The Washington-native committed to the program as a three-star prospect in the recruiting Class of 2022.
He is now a redshirt junior who played his entire career with the Nittany Lions.
At 6-foot-4, 328 pounds, Ioane is expected to make an impact on the next level— whenever that may be. NFL teams are intrigued by his big frame, power, athleticism and position versatility. He is a mauler.
Penn State OL Vega Ioane (#71) getting to the second level and finishing the block 💪
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 4, 2025
Big, powerful dude with some positional versatility. pic.twitter.com/1DiHigTYf3
Organizations will also fall in love with Vega Ioane during the interview process. His teammates look to him as a leader. His coaching staff leans on him in big moments. It’s not hard to see why.
Penn State left.
The Nittany Lions dropped to 3-5 with a blowout loss in Columbus on Saturday. Penn State completely rolled over during the second half as Ohio State scored 21 unanswered points.
It was demoralizing.
Morale was low as the visiting players made their way out of the Horseshoe. Buckeyes fans stuck around to chirp them on their way back to the locker room.
In that moment, as the hecklers let them hear it, Vega Ioane noticed a team staffer next to him who was struggling to push a heavy trunk up a ramp. He did not even hesitate to help.
The large offensive lineman showed impressive agility to hop over a barrier in knee braces and got to work.
While being heckled by Ohio State fans, 330-pound Penn State OL Vega Ioane jumped a wall to … help a struggling equipment guy. pic.twitter.com/6QuCIPRXav
— Mark Brennan (@MarkXBrennan) November 2, 2025
Ioane stayed with the staffer until the truck reached flat ground.
Much respect, young man. Nobody would’ve thought twice if the sad Nittany Lions players continued their somber trek out of the stadium. Ioane didn’t care. He wanted to help out of the goodness of his heart.