Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1535618
2 2 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M I n late July 2022, James Franklin stood at a podium inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and offered a 1,440- word opening statement to begin the question-and-answer portion of Big Ten Media Days. The veteran Penn State coach provided insight into every position group on both sides of the ball … save for one. "O-line is the group that we come and talk about every single year and I say, 'This is going to be the year for the next step at that position,'" Franklin said. "I'm not going to do that this year. I'm going to let them prove that to you on the field. I've been very, very pleased with that unit and the depth that we have created." Franklin reiterated his stance during a roundtable discussion with reporters later that day. The time for talking was over, he said. The time for action had arrived. From that moment on, position coach Phil Trautwein's group started a steady ascent that has changed the narrative concerning the Nittany Lions' offensive front. Three years ago, Penn State's line- men needed to prove what they could do. Entering the 2025 season, they've accom- plished many of their goals: They have shown enough, returned enough talent, and have enough depth to be practically an afterthought because they simply do their jobs and let others shine. The abundance of potential contribu- tors, perhaps more than anything else, fuels this unit. There's competition from top to bottom at every practice, which allows the Lions to put their meanest, toughest blockers on the field game in and game out. Given the possibility that Penn State could end up playing the longest season in school history this coming fall, that depth will be put to good use. "Hopefully, we play 17 games, and it should be a long season, and that's what's great: I can rotate guys, get guys fresh, and continue to develop them, but also make sure that I keep them healthy," Trautwein said. "That's going to be big. I want to make sure I play them enough and play them around. Guys will play multiple po- sitions, just to keep the whole line fresh and keep them healthy throughout the entire season. With depth, you can do that now." Getting Healthy If there was a concern coming out of spring practice, it involved the unit's health. Right tackle Anthony Donkoh missed the final five games of his redshirt freshman season with a lower-body in- jury. He's still recovering in the hope of being back in action for preseason camp. Nolan Rucci took over for Donkoh and impressed late in the season and during the Nittany Lions' sprint to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. However, the redshirt senior missed most of spring practice with an injury, though he was able to return for individual work in late April. "He doesn't really have anything sig- nificant," Franklin said, reluctant as ever to specify the nature of an injury. "He's just had something that's been nagging him for a while. Obviously, we would love to have him for spring ball, but that hasn't happened. It's going to be really impor- tant that he has a strong summer." The coming months are going to be significant for both of Penn State's right tackles. A rotation is possible, especially during the nonconference portion of the schedule, which will begin Aug. 30 against Nevada. Front Loaded A formidable line will hold the key to Penn State's offensive success in 2025 G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G . P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M Guard Olaivavega Ioane (71) and tackle Drew Shelton (66) both started all 16 games for the Nittany Lions last season and will be returning this fall. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS