Penn State received the good news recently that all-conference left tackle Olu Fashanu would be returning next season for his senior year, instead of entering the 2023 NFL Draft, where he would’ve no doubt been a first-round pick.
That news isn’t stopping James Franklin from trying to add to his 2023 offensive line.
Penn State has extended an offer to Rhode Island offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius. Since entering the transfer portal, Cornelius has been one of the most coveted offensive linemen. In just two days, Cornelius has received offers from Penn State, Missouri, Virginia, Washington State, Kansas, West Virginia, Nebraska, Marshall, Akron, Temple, Memphis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Syracuse, Minnesota, Indiana and Oregon.
⚒️FCS OL Watchlist⚒️@AJCornelius65 is on a mission. 📈 pic.twitter.com/TLKRW7DHqL
— NextGen Prospect (@NextGen_Pr) November 5, 2022
This is an interesting offer considering the return of Fashanu and with highly regarded freshman Drew Shelton, seemingly ready to take over full-time at right tackle. Every offensive lineman that played for Penn State this season could return, although the futures of players such as Juice Scruggs and Bryce Effner, who would be sixth-year seniors in 2023, are uncertain.
Cornelius will have two seasons of athletic eligibility remaining.