Penn State’s offensive line heads into 2026 with a new identity - and a whole lot of new faces. After returning five players with starting experience in 2025, the Nittany Lions now find themselves in transition mode. Four key contributors - Drew Shelton, Vega Ioane, Nick Dawkins, and Nolan Rucci - are headed to the NFL, leaving behind a group that gelled late last season as Kaytron Allen surged to the top of the program’s all-time rushing list.
Now, it’s about what’s next.
One familiar face remains: Anthony Donkoh. The versatile guard/tackle is back and expected to anchor the line as a veteran presence. With 21 starts under his belt, Donkoh brings the kind of experience and athleticism that’s hard to replace - especially on the edge, where he’s likely to lock down the right tackle spot.
Beyond Donkoh, things start to get interesting.
Cooper Cousins, a former top prospect and one of the more intriguing young linemen on the roster, is set to play a much bigger role. After a frustrating 2025 that saw him battle injuries and sit behind veteran players, Cousins is poised to step into the starting lineup. The previous staff saw him as a future center, and that’s still on the table, but with the arrival of a high-profile transfer, he may be better suited at guard.
That transfer? Brock Riker, who comes to Happy Valley after a strong 2025 season at Texas State.
The 6-foot-4, 285-pound center started all 12 games last year, didn’t allow a single sack in 438 pass-blocking snaps, and earned a solid 71.7 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus. He’s got the resume, and he’s likely to be a plug-and-play solution at center.
Also returning is Dom Rulli, a former walk-on who backed up Dawkins last season. He provides depth and familiarity with the system - something that shouldn’t be overlooked during a transitional year.
At guard, the competition will be fierce. Two Iowa State transfers - Trevor Buhr and Vaea Ikakoula - bring size, experience, and a connection to new offensive line coach Ryan Clanton.
Buhr started the final five games of the 2025 season, and in each of those outings, Iowa State running back Carson Hansen (now also at Penn State) eclipsed the 100-yard mark. Ikakoula, meanwhile, saw action in four games while redshirting, and at 355 pounds, he’s got the kind of frame that can move people in the trenches.
The biggest question mark? Left tackle.
With Shelton gone, the Lions are looking to fill a massive void at one of the most critical positions on the field. And right now, there’s no clear-cut answer.
There’s talent, no doubt. Garrett Sexton saw action in six games last year and could be in the mix.
Owen Aliciene turned heads during spring and fall camp and is considered a developmental player with upside. And then there’s Malachi Goodman - a former five-star recruit with all the tools, waiting for Clanton to tap into his full potential.
The staff also brought in a pair of transfers who could factor in. Tyshon Huff, a 6-4, 300-pound tackle from Division II Tiffin, has the build but will need to adjust to Big Ten speed and power.
Kuol Kuol II, another Iowa State addition, has the size and athleticism but remains raw. Development will be key for both.
Altogether, this group has the makings of a solid - if not elite - unit. There’s enough returning experience to hold things together, and the influx of transfers gives Clanton some options to work with. But the ceiling of this line will be determined by how quickly the younger players and newcomers develop, particularly at the tackle spots.
Looking ahead, the future is wide open.
Rulli is the only projected contributor with senior status in 2026, and Donkoh could be NFL-bound if he stays healthy and continues his upward trajectory. But everyone else? They could all be back in 2027 if they choose.
That gives Clanton a chance to build continuity - something that’s often hard to come by in today’s transfer-heavy landscape.
Still, projecting beyond this season is tricky. Much of the depth is unproven, and Clanton hasn’t had a chance to fully evaluate his group in live game action. Two three-star high school signees - Mason Bandhauer and Pete Eglitis - are in the fold for 2026, but they’re likely developmental pieces.
The transfer portal will reopen after the season, and if there are holes to fill, head coach Matt Campbell and Clanton won’t hesitate to go shopping again.
One encouraging sign? Clanton’s track record.
Since joining Campbell at Iowa State in 2023, the Cyclones steadily climbed the national rushing ranks, jumping from 103rd to inside the top 50 in back-to-back seasons. That kind of improvement doesn’t happen by accident.
So while there are question marks, there’s also reason for optimism. If this new-look line can come together - and if Clanton can work his magic again - Penn State’s offense may be in better shape than expected heading into the 2026 campaign.