A thunderstorm pushed Penn State indoors Monday afternoon, but the energy in practice didn’t cool off. If anything, the Nittany Lions got a more focused look at the offensive side of the ball, with plenty of competitive work in 11-on-11 periods and one-on-ones between the corners and wide receivers.
The offensive line is starting to sort itself out, even with position coach Ryan Clanton still juggling pieces at tackle, guard and center. Malachi Goodman and Anthony Donkoh both spent time at each tackle spot, and Donkoh’s background at guard keeps him in the mix there, too.
Clanton and Matt Campbell also have Owen Aliciene and Garrett Sexton in the tackle competition, while Iowa State transfer Trevor Buhr handled the primary left guard reps and Cooper Cousins worked at right guard. Another guard to watch is Iowa State transfer Will Tompkins.
At center, Texas State transfer Brock Riker took the first-team snaps, though he had a couple of issues with exchanges. Buhr has also taken reps at center.
Quarterback-wise, Iowa State transfer Rocco Becht looks every bit like the starter. The ball gets out fast, and he has a clean feel for putting throws in stride.
Alex Manske, back in action after missing spring with an undisclosed issue, showed off his size at 6-3, 210 and his arm strength. He also made a play with his legs, slipping the rush on one snap and breaking free for a long run.
At receiver, Koby Howard continued building on the late-season momentum he showed as a true freshman in 2025. He’s been a difficult cover early on.
Iowa State transfers Brett Eskildsen and Chase Sowell also created separation against strong competition. Sowell got the better of Audavion Collins on a slant, while Eskildsen showed his deep speed.
Two more pass-catchers stood out in one-on-ones: true freshman Amarion Jackson and Grambling transfer Keith Jones Jr. Jackson, listed at 6-2 and 192 pounds, doesn’t carry himself like a typical freshman, and he’s been making plays consistently against Penn State’s top defensive backs.
In Other News...
Penn States O-Line Battle Just Got More Interesting Before The Opener
Penn States interior offensive line picture got a little clearer and a little more crowded as the season opener approaches, with Texas State transfer Brock Riker now expected to handle the center spot. The Nittany Lions have been sorting through several options inside, and veteran Dom Rulli, Cooper Cousins and Iowa State transfer Trevor Buhr all remain part of that mix as the staff lines up the best combination for the first game.
Buhr looks likely to begin at left guard, giving Penn State another experienced piece in a group that has been under the microscope throughout camp. He has already singled out offensive line coaches Ryan Clanton and Jackson Scott-Brown for the detailed teaching and preparation that have helped the group get ready, but the final shape of the starting five is still the part worth watching as kickoff gets closer. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Still Has Two Big Offensive Line Jobs Up For Grabs
Ryan Clantons first training camp as Penn States offensive line coach has already turned into a test of depth as much as technique. In the opening week, he talked about the group in terms of trust and versatility, saying he already has eight linemen he feels good about, with room for that number to grow as camp goes on. For a unit that has to hold up a new season from the middle outward, that matters, because the Nittany Lions are still sorting out who fits best where and how quickly the room can settle in.
The biggest questions remain at center and left guard, where the competition is still unfolding as practices stack up. Clanton also pointed to individual development and communication as important pieces of the puzzle, which is no small thing for an offensive line trying to build cohesion early in camp. The coming days should give a clearer picture of how the depth chart is taking shape, but for now Penn State still has meaningful jobs up for grabs up front. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Faces An Early Test With Coveted 2028 Commit
Deonte Flemings was supposed to be a long-range win for Penn State, the kind of early commitment that can help a staff build a class before the recruiting race really heats up. The Class of 2028 pledge committed early in his freshman year and has already made clear why the Nittany Lions stood out: he likes the coaching staff and the family-oriented way they have approached his recruitment.
Even so, the attention around Flemings is only going to grow from here, and Penn State knows it is dealing with a prospect whose profile can draw national interest as he keeps moving through high school. Flemings has said he plans to enjoy the process and make the best decision for himself and his family, which is exactly the kind of statement that keeps a commitment story open-ended for a program trying to hold on for the long haul. [Read more 🡒]