In a candid revelation, Penn State's offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh shared insights into his decision to remain with the Nittany Lions for the 2026 season. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-5 and weighing 320 pounds, the redshirt junior's commitment wasn't always certain as he navigated the aftermath of a challenging season.
Reflecting on his journey, Donkoh admitted, "At the time it was hard, especially with the situation that happened last year. I'm not gonna sit here and lie. There were times where I was thinking, 'Do I really want to be here?'"
His resolve strengthened through early talks with the new coaching staff, including head coach Matt Campbell, offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, and offensive line coach Ryan Clanton. Their commitment to him was clear.
"They made me a priority," Donkoh noted. "I can see where what they have planned for us is going to take us, and where their plan for me is going to take me.
These guys are great people, great humans. That's one of the biggest reasons why I stayed."
Coach Campbell sees Donkoh as a cornerstone for the team, praising his leadership and academic prowess. "You want to talk about who's the leader, he's the leader," Campbell said. "3.8 student, one of the best players here, has got a chance to be one of the absolute best players in our football program."
With 21 career starts since 2024, Donkoh is no stranger to the field, yet Coach Clanton believes there's untapped potential. "Obviously his football traits are off the charts," Clanton remarked.
"But there's still a lot of stuff that we have to do to make him elite. The development for him, he's only half as good as where he's actually going to be."
Donkoh is eager to embrace this growth. "In totality, there's a lot of meat left on the bone for me," he said, expressing excitement about working with the new staff.
His journey has seen him adapt across the offensive line. After redshirting in 2023 and playing guard, he switched to right tackle, showcasing his versatility in key matchups like the Peach Bowl against Ole Miss. Despite a season-ending injury in 2024, he bounced back, demonstrating resilience and skill.
Former offensive line coach Phil Trautwein believed Donkoh's future was brightest at guard, but Donkoh himself feels most at home at tackle. "Personally, I love playing tackle," he shared. "Tackle is fun because I'm able to just play the way I want to play."
Clanton agrees, planning to keep Donkoh at tackle, emphasizing his physical attributes and agility. "The positional versatility is going to help him at the next level, but I think he's a tackle the way his body is built," Clanton explained.
As spring practices approach, Donkoh is confident. "I feel like I can take that next step this spring, this summer, go into (preseason) camp with big headway leading into the fall," he said.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Donkoh's leadership in the locker room is invaluable. "With the leadership stuff, I'm just going to continue to be myself," he stated, underscoring the importance of authenticity.
His genuine approach has already made a significant impact. Penn State's general manager Derek Hoodjer commended Donkoh's influence, saying, "Anthony Donkoh was one of the guys who, early on, said 'I'm gonna roll with you guys and I believe in this.' He helped kind of build the locker room trust and belief, as well."
In Donkoh, Penn State has not only a formidable player but a leader who embodies the spirit of the team.