University Park— Not all problems are bad, and Penn State coach James Franklin feels there’s at least one problem with his team that’s a positive.
There was a time not too long ago where Penn State didn’t have a good offensive line.
When the team struggled to a combined 11-11 record between 2020 and ‘21, many felt poor play up front was a big reason.
Now, those days feel long ago and far away, and this season could be the best one in a long time for Penn State in the trenches.
Only one starter is departed from last season, with that being right guard Sal Wormley. Penn State has multiple quality options to replace Wormley, and the question for Franklin and company isn’t if Penn State can fill the position properly but rather who the specific person would be.
Although Franklin told reporters that Texas A&M transfer TJ Shanahan was in the mix for to start at right guard, realistically, Anthony Donkoh and Cooper Cousins are the two options.
WHAT FRANKLIN SAID
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 16: Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh (68) lines up before the snap during the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Penn State Nittany Lions on November 16, 2024, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire)
Franklin told reporters after practice Tuesday that Donkoh, Cousins and Shanahan are all in the mix for the job.
“All three of those guys are in the heat of it,” Franklin said.
Another factor is how Rucci performs at right tackle.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Rucci stepped into that role last November when Donkoh went down with a season-ending injury and proceeded to dominate during the College Football Playoff.
So odds are, he’ll be just fine.
“To be honest with you, it’s also how Rucci’s playing, right?” Franklin said. “All of those things kind of are factored in together. I’d say it’s similar to the (backup) quarterback. I think we have a pretty good idea if we were getting ready to play this Saturday.”
In the event that Rucci isn’t up to par, Donkoh would return to his role at right tackle and either Cousins or Shanahan would start at guard.
“It’s still close enough that we’re going to continue the competition,” Franklin said. “We’re still probably rotating all those guys.”
WHO WILL WIN?
Franklin let on that Penn State has an idea of who he wants to start at right guard, but who exactly is that person?
Although Cousins is a former five-star who figures to be, well, a star, it’s hard to imagine a world with Donkoh isn’t starting at right guard.
Franklin said earlier this month at Penn State’s Local Media Day that Donkoh was playing “as well as anybody in the country” before his injury.
When Rucci stepped in, Penn State didn’t miss a beat. So it’s really hard to see Penn State not having both of those guys in the lineup at the same time.
The season opens against Nevada Aug. 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 on CBS.
