When Alex Birchmeier committed to Penn State in the summer of 2021, the offensive line was a perennial weakness for the program.
By the time “Big Birch” got to campus in the winter of 2022, he the line had developed into one of the team’s strong suits.
Three of Penn State’s five starters on the line from last season ended up being drafted this past spring, led by star left tackle Olu Fashanu, who went to the Jets with the 11th overall pick.
Even with the losses, Penn State still has a talented line set to be back in 2024, and this All 105 will profile one of the units promising young players.
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 299 pounds
Hometown: Ashburn, Virginia
Before Penn State: Alex Birchmeier came to Penn State as a high-end four-star recruit and the school’s highest-rated commit behind fellow offensive lineman J’ven Williams, a five-star, in-state product out of Wyomissing. At Virginia’s Broad Run High School, Birchmeier started the first varsity game of his freshman year at right guard and never looked back. Before the end of his freshman season, a point when many football players his age are still cutting their teeth in JV games Saturday mornings, Birchmeier already had offers from the University of Virginia and the University of Pittsburgh.
As a sophomore, he became a force.
His performance as an underclassman earned him a scholarship to Penn State, where he committed in July 2021.
Last year: Birchmeier redshirted his freshman season, not appearing in any games.
Where he stands: Although Burchmeier can play pretty much anywhere on the line, his No. 1 position appears to be guard. Penn State returns starting right guard Sal Wormley, and the starting left guard will be one of JB Nelson or Vega Ioane. Cooper Cousins, who many feel is the true freshman most likely to make an instant impact for Penn State, is also capable of playing guard. Penn State’s deep at the position, but Birchmeier will have a chance to impress during fall camp.
A quote by Birchmeier: “It’s gonna be awesome to see him run out when Penn State has a White Out, and they just lay it on Iowa or whoever the hell else wants to come into their place, and then Birch just buries their ass in the ground.” — Birchmeier’s offensive line coach, Donny Smith, to NSN.
