Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1495456
2 8 A P R I L 2 0 2 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Offensive lineman Vega Ioane had seen action in two games heading into the final month of his freshman season at Penn State. He appeared likely to redshirt, but with injuries mounting along the team's offensive front, that plan was in jeopardy. "Vega is a guy that we are preparing in practice every single week to play," coach James Franklin said last fall. "There's also the discussion about how many games [the true freshmen] have available. You can play Vega in one game and then shut somebody else down, and try to manage it as much as you can, but not so much so that it limits your ability to be effec- tive and explosive." Three weeks later, the uncertainty was settled. Ioane appeared only once more during the regular season, taking 16 snaps, his highest total of the year, at right guard in the finale against Michigan State. He also saw action in the Rose Bowl against Utah, but with just four game appearances, he was able to redshirt as the coaching staff had hoped. Reflecting on the experience, one that started a little over a year ago when he became a late addition to the Lions' 2022 recruiting class, Ioane acknowledged there were some ups and downs. "I'm a long way from home," the Graham, Wash., native said. "When I got here, at first I was like, 'Yeah, this might be a lot more than I thought it would be.' As time has gone on, I've been keeping busy with football, so it's been keeping my mind off of that. But I still miss my family here and there." Undeterred by the occasional pangs of homesickness, Ioane was able to establish a bond with offensive line coach Phil Trautwein. The Nittany Lions wanted him to play on the interior of their offensive front after having been a tackle in high school, and Ioane worked to make that transition. "I just had to come in, lock in, do my work, and trust Traut's plan and how he teaches our guys," Ioane said. "I wanted to play, for sure. But I told Traut I would trust his plan and do whatever he wants me to do." All the while, Ioane was repping at both guard spots and center. In his first game action against Ohio, he saw all 11 of his reps at left guard. Then he played eight reps at right guard against Minnesota on Oct. 22 and continued to see action at that position and on special teams in his final two games of the year. Now preparing for his red- shirt freshman campaign, Ioane said he's working to learn the center posi- tion, having snapped the ball for the first time in his career last year. "Halfway through the season, Traut asked to see what I could do at center," Ioane said. "I snapped the ball for the first time and left a good impression, and he let me stay at center for a little while and practice that. "During the season, it was an even amount between right guard and center. It was a lot to take in. I had to be strong with my mental [preparation] and know what I've got to do every play." Trautwein, who is looking to replace last year's starting center Juice Scruggs, offered a glowing review of Ioane's first season as a Nittany Lion. "He's everything that I hoped for," the coach said. "He loves football. He goes out every day and practices hard. He's ready to go and he's confident. What I'm always trying to do is make sure guys are ready physically and mentally to go out in that game. He's been ready and he's attacking every day." — Nate Bauer The final addition to Penn State's 2022 recruiting class, Ioane signed with the Nittany Lions last February and went on to see action in four games as a true freshman. PHOTO B DANIEL ALTHOUSE Vega Ioane Finds The Right Fit On Nittany Lions' Offensive Front