Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1516624
4 6 M A R C H 2 0 2 4 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 2 4 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / P enn State set out to add length at the offensive tackle position in 2024, and that's exactly what assistant coach Phil Trautwein was able to find in Wisconsin native Garrett Sexton. But at 6-foot-6, 295 pounds, Sexton is far from just a big body. As an under- classman, he actually played quarter- back at Arrowhead Union High before his coaches decided to try him out at offen- sive tackle during his junior year. Despite only weighing about 230 pounds at the time, Sexton's combination of size and athleticism immediately grabbed the at- tention of scouts. "Just looking at him physically, he looks phenomenal," On3 scouting direc- tor Charles Power said. "There are just so many positive indicators on him relative to his size and athleticism. I think as he continues to add weight and strength, everything we've seen projects that he'll maintain his athleticism, too, which is going to be really important. I think he's got such high upside." After picking up an offer from Penn State in late February 2023, Sexton quickly built a strong relationship with Trautwein, the Nittany Lions' offensive line coach. That led to his first visit on March 30. By the time he left campus, he made it clear that the Lions were in a great position. Minnesota and Oklahoma also hosted Sexton for visits in April, but after he left Norman, Okla., on April 22, he had all the information he needed to make his decision. "Honestly, I just knew it was going to be Penn State," Sexton said at the time. "I feel like I've known that for a few weeks now, so why wait? We flew home from Oklahoma, and I had a talk with my par- ents about everything. We all just felt good about it, so I reached out to [Penn State's] coaches and asked to get on a group call with them all. Once we got on the group call, I just let them know everything I love about Penn State and committed right there. They were all su- per hyped for me. It was a great call." Following his junior season, Sexton took his game to an even higher level in 2023, earning first-team all-state hon- ors. Arrowhead Union head coach Matt Harris described him as "an athletic unicorn," noting that Sexton "combines his incredible length and size with great athleticism." He ended up finishing as the fourth- ranked player in Penn State's class, as rated by On3, placing 76th nationally and eighth at offensive tackle. Sexton had been working hard to add weight prior to his January arrival on campus and it paid off. He weighed in at 295 pounds on the spring roster. Certainly, he'll need time to continue working on his technique, but there's no denying his potential. "When you add in his athleticism, his work ethic and all of those things, there's no reason he can't be an NFL Draft pick if he's developed the right way," Harris said. "I really believe you could be hear- ing his name one day." — Ryan Snyder OT | 6-6 | 295 Arrowhead Union Hartland, Wis. Rankings Stars Nat. Pos. State On3 Industry ★★★★ 147 10 2 On3 ★★★★ 76 8 1 ESPN ★★★ — 40 4 Rivals ★★★ — 68 8 247Sports ★★★★ 173 15 1 Statistics • Helped pave the way for more than 2,500 yards of offense in 2023 Notable • Was a first-team all-state selection in 2023 • Played quarterback his freshman and soph- omore seasons • Played basketball for two seasons Recruitment • Committed to Penn State on April 24, 2023 • Recruited by offensive line coach Phil Traut- wein • Picked Penn State over Iowa, Minnesota and Oklahoma • Officially visited on June 9, 2023 2024 Projection Sexton has only been playing offensive tackle for two years, so he'll need time to work on technique and other fundamentals. He's a high-ceiling prospect who will need a redshirt year, but athletically, there are few players who can match what he brings for a player of his size. They Said It BWI analyst Thomas Frank Carr: "The main theme of Sexton's profile is projection. There are no physical flaws right now that counter- balance his impressive size. When you add in his natural strength and tenacity, it's easy to project Sexton as a complete player and a high-end left tackle. "Theoretically, his ceiling is in the same ball- park as Olumuyiwa Fashanu, who was likewise considered a project player coming out of high school yet went on to become an All-America tackle at Penn State. "Sexton's success at the college level will be contingent on his physical development. There's still a long way to go, but he has the mentality and work ethic, and he's already showing the right developmental signs to fulfill his potential with the Nittany Lions." S ex to n d i d n ' t b e g i n p lay i n g o f f e n s i v e t a c k le a t Arrowhead Union High until his junior season, but he quickly blossomed into an elite prospect at the position. PHOTO COURTESY GARRETT SEXTON GARRETT SEXTON Move to offensive line puts Wisconsin prospect on fast track T H E S E X T O N F I L E