Penn State’s offensive line is heading into a major transition in 2026 - and there’s no sugarcoating it. Four starters are gone, either off to the NFL Draft or graduating, leaving some big shoes (and even bigger cleats) to fill up front. But if you ask head coach Matt Campbell and offensive line coach Ryan Clanton, the cupboard isn’t bare - it’s just waiting for the next wave of trench warriors to step up.
The lone returning starter? Redshirt junior right tackle Anthony Donkoh.
He’s not just back - he’s the anchor now. Donkoh has logged 21 starts over the past two seasons and has emerged as a vocal leader in the locker room and a steady presence on the field.
Campbell didn’t hold back when talking about his veteran lineman.
“That guy, 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.”
Donkoh’s return gives Penn State a known commodity on the right edge, and his leadership will be crucial as the rest of the line takes shape.
Next to Donkoh, Cooper Cousins looks like the frontrunner at right guard. Cousins burned his redshirt during the 2024 season and played a key depth role during Penn State’s run to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Now, with more reps under his belt and a clearer path to a starting job, he’s positioned to be a foundational piece of the interior.
“Cooper Cousins, what that guy is about, what he’s got the ability to become,” Campbell said. “He’s nothing short of elite.”
While the right side of the line seems solid, the rest is still a work in progress - especially at center. That’s where things could get really interesting this spring.
Redshirt senior Dom Rulli is back in the mix after starting in the Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson and appearing in all 13 games last season. At 6-foot-3 and with a wealth of experience, Rulli brings leadership and familiarity with the program.
But he’s not alone.
Trevor Buhr, a redshirt junior who followed Campbell from Iowa State, is very much in the conversation. Buhr started six of the eight games he played last season and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors. With 12 career starts under his belt, he’s a versatile option who could slot in at center or guard, depending on how the rest of the line shakes out.
“Trevor Buhr, we thought, was one of the best interior O-linemen in the entire country coming back next year,” Campbell said. “Has started for two years and has played as good a football as anybody.”
That center battle - Rulli vs. Buhr - could be one of the defining storylines of spring ball.
Then there’s the left tackle spot, which remains the biggest question mark. If Donkoh stays put on the right side, someone else will have to protect the blindside. Enter Malachi Goodman.
At 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, Goodman checks every box physically. He’s a former five-star recruit who redshirted last year and didn’t see the field in 2025. But with a new coaching staff and a clean slate, Goodman has a chance to seize the opportunity.
“I just think you look at Malachi Goodman - there’s another unbelievably talented football player, I think who has got high-end potential,” Campbell said.
It’s clear the staff believes in Goodman’s upside, but he’s still unproven. If he can put it all together, he could be the answer at left tackle. If not, the competition could open up to others.
Beyond the five names Campbell highlighted - Donkoh, Cousins, Rulli, Buhr, and Goodman - there’s still a deep pool of talent waiting in the wings. Returners like Owen Aliciene and Garrett Sexton could push for time at tackle, while transfers Brock Riker (Texas State) and Vaea Ikakoula (Iowa State) add depth to the interior.
“There’s almost two-and-a-half deep on that O-line,” Campbell said. “And I don’t know who the starters are going to be, but they’re going to have to go earn it. We’re going to have to see who can consistently be the guys.”
So, while the starting five may not be set in stone, the competition is heating up - and that’s exactly how Campbell wants it. With spring practice and the Blue-White Game still ahead, there’s plenty of time for this group to take shape.
But one thing’s for sure: the talent is there. Now it’s about finding the right mix, building chemistry, and letting the best five rise to the top.
“I think there’s great talent in that room,” Campbell said.
And if that talent can come together, Penn State’s offensive line might just surprise a few people in 2026.