Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545675
3 2 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / 2 0 2 6 F O O T B A L L P R E V I E W / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / D uring a recent interview, Penn State offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser discussed how head coach Matt Campbell challenges his staff to think in a unique way about the best play- ers on the team. "We're constantly ranking our top 11 guys," Mouser explained. "Who are the best players on our team? These are the guys that we're going to have to build the offense around and get involved." The goal is to center the offense on Campbell's coaching philosophy: play- ers, formations, plays. By knowing who the best 11 players are, Mouser and the rest of the staff can build formations and plays around the right people. Of course, "best" doesn't necessarily mean "most talented." It means most tal- ented and can execute consistently. We're not privy to the staff's internal conversations, but we can formulate our own list of the Nittany Lions' best players, regardless of position. 1. Anthony Donkoh | OT Donkoh represents the best combina- tion of talent and proven production on Penn State's starting offense in 2026. The 6-foot-5, 334-pound redshirt junior is an explosive and powerful athlete with incredible run-blocking potential. Beyond that, Donkoh is an intelligent and aggressive player who can take over games against inferior competition — as he did versus Illinois in 2024, when the Nittany Lions averaged 8 yards per carry running behind right tackle. Donkoh's biggest issue is health, which has affected his pass-blocking consis- tency over the past two seasons. Having had a full offseason to recover, he could be in line for a breakout year and a chance to make his case as one of the best tackles in college football. 2. Benjamin Brahmer | TE Brahmer's full impact is hard to pre- dict, but it's likely to be significant. Of the players the staff will actively scheme plays around, only receiver Chase Sowell gener- ated more designed looks than Brahmer in Iowa State's offense last season. Brahmer, who stands 6-7, 250 pounds, operated as a wide receiver, slot receiver and in-line tight end as a junior last year, while Mouser bent defensive formations to get him single coverage against smaller defenders. His ability to get vertical with his size and catch radius is central to an offensive system that leans heavily on tight ends. You can't run a 12- and 13-per- sonnel offense without a field-stretching element. Even the nastiest run game will stall once defensive coordinators lose all fear of the deep ball. Brahmer has to be the equalizer in those situations. 3. Rocco Becht | QB From a trust and importance stand- point, Becht is the most critical player on the offense. For Penn State to win big games, the 6-1, 208-pound redshirt se- nior needs to be at his best and serve as the field general who commands the en- tire operation. Mouser puts a lot on Becht's plate — run checks, freedom to audible at the line of scrimmage and full control of the offense. The only thing keeping him from standing PENN STATE'S TOP 11: OFFENSE These players will determine how effectively the Nittany Lions move the ball T H O M A S F R A N K CA R R | T F R A N K . C A R R @ O N 3 . C O M After playing multiple positions for the Lions the past two years, Anthony Donkoh is set to start at right tackle this fall. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS