Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544053
A P R I L 2 0 2 6 2 9 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M However, he has the athletic traits to play on the left side if the staff chooses to keep Donkoh on the right. As the most experi- enced tackle available to start alongside Donkoh, he gets the edge on this non- binding depth chart. Malachi Goodman: The redshirt freshman just missed five-star status from On3, checking in at No. 34 over- all and No. 6 among offensive tackles in the 2025 class. After seeing action at left tackle as a true freshman, he will have a legitimate shot at a starting role this year. Owen Aliciene: As a 6-7 freshman, Aliciene's primary job was to add weight. He's now up to nearly 302 pounds and is a prime candidate to one day start at left tackle for Penn State. Kuol Kuol II: An underrecruited Ohio prospect in the 2025 cycle, Kuol has the length and footwork to compete with the players ahead of him on this list. In a room full of imposing linemen, Koul may be the best overall athlete from a movement standpoint. Mason Bandhauer: A former Iowa State commit, Bandhauer followed Campbell and Clanton to Penn State this offseason. He's not excessively tall or long in his lower half, which means he could slide inside if needed. LEFT GUARD Trevor Buhr R-Jr. 6-4 321 Will Tompkins R-Fr. 6-5 315 or Chimdy Onoh R-Jr. 6-5 326 Tyshon Huff R-Jr. 6-4 301 SCOUTING REPORT Trevor Buhr: The lone starter from Iowa State's offensive line to join Penn State this offseason, Buhr is a natu- ral fit to step into the starting lineup on the left side. A former three-star recruit from Missouri, Buhr is a big, physical run blocker with good athleticism and mobil- ity. Technically, he's sound in both gap and zone schemes and plays with a high football IQ. His biggest weakness is pass protection, where his balance and anchor need refinement. Will Tompkins: Clanton built a track record at Iowa State of finding athletic, aggressive linemen who flew under the national radar. Tompkins fits that mold. His high school film shows shocking ex- plosiveness as a blocker, solid technical awareness and a physical edge. The staff is high on him, and he's already made an impression in winter workouts. Chimdy Onoh: Sometimes, project players develop into reliable depth con- tributors. The question is whether Onoh can be more than that. He'll have a chance to fight for playing time this year, though the influx of Iowa State players may keep him in a similar spot. Tyshon Huff: Huff is a curious addi- tion to the Penn State roster. He earned a scholarship after playing right tackle at Division II Tiffin University last year and brings good size with exceptionally long arms and a high football IQ. Most years, that profile would point to a center conversion. But with redshirt sophomore Brock Riker having also transferred in, Huff slots at left guard for now. RIGHT GUARD Cooper Cousins Jr. 6-6 330 Donnie Harbour R-So. 6-3 340 or Vaea Ikakoula R-Fr. 6-3 339 SCOUTING REPORT Cooper Cousins: Penn State's emo- tional leader, Cousins looks to make good on his promise as a former five- star prospect. After injuries derailed what should have been a breakout 2025 campaign, Cousins is healthy this spring. He's one of a small handful of players who can be penciled into the starting lineup with some confidence. Donnie Harbour: Harbour caught some observers off-guard with his deci- sion to remain at PSU. The Wisconsin native has no strong ties to the region but chose to stay anyway. Beyond Cous- ins and Buhr, there's no clear second tier of experienced interior linemen, which gives Harbour as good a shot as anyone to carve out a meaningful role. Vaea Ikakoula: Ikakoula is listed this spring at 339 pounds, down from 355 at Iowa State last year. He's been working to get into better shape, which should improve his mobility and effectiveness. CENTER Dominic Rulli R-Sr. 6-3 300 or Brock Riker R-So. 6-4 291 SCOUTING REPORT Dominic Rulli: For most of last sea- son, Rulli served as the Lions' backup center. Even though guards Ioane and Cousins could conceivably have slid in- side if needed, Rulli was the only player taking reps behind Nick Dawkins in the majority of observed practice sessions. Now he'll have a shot to earn a starting job as a redshirt senior. He played well against Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl, but he'll still need to demonstrate he can hold up over a full Big Ten season. Brock Riker: Penn State could prob- ably have brought right guard Brendan Black from Iowa State to play center as a veteran with system familiarity. Instead, Clanton went looking for an upgrade and landed Riker from Texas State. He's a smart player who took quickly to the position in his first year as a starter in 2025. As long as he can add size, he'll push Rulli for the starting job. ■ Redshirt junior Anthony Donkoh is out with an injury this spring but is expected to start at one of the tackle spots in the fall. PHOTO BY FRANK HYATT