Just one day after Christian Hackenberg, DaeSean Hamilton, and Anthony Zettel were each named to preseason watch lists, two more Penn State players joined the party.

Senior center Angelo Mangiro is a candidate for the Rimington Trophy for the Most Outstanding Center in Division I football, while his teammate, Kyle Carter, is a contender for the Mackey Award for the Most Outstanding Tight End.

A dynamic player on the offensive line, Mangiro is ready to take his role to the next level. After redshirting his freshman season, he started his first season as a reserve before climbing the team’s ranks. Since his humble start, Mangiro has fought his way up the depth chart, and left the 2013-14 often being referred to as “the sixth man” of the offensive line. Mangiro further solidified his position as the starting center this past season, being one of the leaders of the offensive line along with seniors Miles Dieffenbach and Donovan Smith.

Mangiro truly showed his versatility this season, as he was able to transfer his game to the guard and tackle positions to fill in the gaps of the wounded Penn State line. Mangiro’s efforts helped Penn State amass over 300 yards of total offense on seven occasions, including 453 total yards in a win against Boston College in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Mangiro was key in protecting Christian Hackenberg, as Hackenberg ascended up the ranks for career passing yards and ended the season in the top three in Penn State history in passing yards, attempts, and completions.

In a recent interview with Penn Live, Mangiro expressed his readiness for the upcoming season as the seasoned leader of the offensive line. “I’m going to do whatever it takes for us to win and if that means playing guard or tackle, I’ll do it,” Mangiro said. “I’ll like having the ball in my hand, I like snapping and working with Christian [Hackenberg] on all the little details, making calls up front.”

Mangiro is looking to become the second player in Penn State history to receive the Rimington Trophy, as the only Penn State player to have that honor was A.Q. Shipley in 2008.

With former Penn State tight end and teammate Jesse James moving on to the NFL, there is a lot of room for Kyle Carter to make an impact as the most experienced of Penn State’s three dangerous tight ends. This upcoming season will be the final year of Carter’s Penn State career, so this is his last chance to show off his tremendous athleticism and clear potential. This is the second-straight year the redshirt senior is a candidate for the Mackey Award and will be expected to improve his play as he concluded the season with 16 receptions for 153 yards. No tight end in Penn State history has been a recipient of the Mackey Award.

Carter will be the top returnee for a strong tight end group and is expected to set himself apart and become the starter for the season. Carter is one of the most active returning players, having played in 34 of the team’s last 37 games, including 16 career starts. Carter also ended his season on a high note, as he was the recipient of a touchdown in the back corner of the endzone in overtime during the Pinstripe Bowl. The touchdown ultimately led to Sam Ficken’s game-winning extra point and sent the Nittany Lions back to Happy Valley with their first piece of hardware since 2010.

Finalists for the Rimington Trophy will be announced on Dec. 7, while semifinalists for the Mackey Award will be selected on Nov. 24 with the finalists being announced on Dec. 9. Winners for both awards will be announced on Dec. 10 during The Home Depot College Football Awards.