Anthony Donkoh Staying Put: Penn State Retains Key Piece of Offensive Line for 2026
As the college football transfer portal continues to spin with activity, Penn State got some much-needed stability in the trenches. Redshirt sophomore Anthony Donkoh, a mainstay on the Nittany Lions’ offensive line the past two seasons, announced he’s staying in Happy Valley for the 2026 season.
And for a program navigating a coaching transition and roster turnover, this is a big one.
Donkoh made his announcement on social media Tuesday, thanking the previous coaching staff for their role in his development and voicing full confidence in new head coach Matt Campbell and offensive line coach Ryan Clanton.
“It is a great honor to announce that I will be staying at Penn State for the 2026 season!!!!” Donkoh wrote. “I have full confidence in Coach Campbell, Coach Clanton and the rest of the staff, and I believe they will help restore Penn State's tradition of excellence.”
That’s not just a vote of confidence in the new regime - it’s a clear signal that Donkoh is all-in on where this program is headed.
A Veteran Presence in a Room That Needs It
Let’s be clear: Donkoh isn’t just another name returning. He’s the most experienced starter left on the offensive line.
With several seniors and grad players exhausting their eligibility after 2025, Penn State’s front five was staring down a potential rebuild. Retaining Donkoh is a foundational move for Campbell as he begins shaping his first roster in State College.
The 6-foot-5, 320-pound lineman has been a steady presence since stepping into a starting role as a redshirt freshman in 2024. That season, he started 10 games and appeared in 11. In 2025, he took another step forward, starting 11 of 13 contests and anchoring a unit that dealt with its fair share of shuffling and injuries.
Donkoh’s return gives the Nittany Lions a proven commodity - someone who’s been battle-tested in Big Ten play and knows what it takes to perform at a high level. That kind of experience is invaluable, especially in the trenches where continuity and chemistry often separate good lines from great ones.
A Building Block for Campbell’s Vision
For Matt Campbell, who’s stepping into a high-expectation environment at Penn State, keeping a player like Donkoh in the fold is a strong early win. It’s not just about talent - though Donkoh has plenty of it - it’s about leadership, buy-in, and setting the tone for what’s to come.
Donkoh was a four-star recruit out of Virginia in the Class of 2023, ranked as the No. 29 offensive lineman nationally and a top-10 player in the state, per 247Sports Composite rankings. Since arriving in Happy Valley, he’s lived up to that billing, developing into a reliable, physical presence on the line.
Now, with a new staff and a new direction, he becomes one of the cornerstones - both literally and figuratively - of the 2026 team.
A Promising Trend in the Trenches
Donkoh’s announcement came just one day after fellow offensive lineman Cooper Cousins also confirmed he’ll return for 2026. Together, their decisions give Penn State a pair of returning linemen to build around - a crucial development for a team that could’ve been facing a near-total reset up front.
While the portal window has seen its share of departures, these kinds of returns are equally impactful. For a program aiming to maintain momentum and identity through change, retaining experienced talent like Donkoh is how you keep the foundation strong.
Penn State still has questions to answer this offseason - from quarterback to depth across both lines - but with Donkoh back in the mix, the new staff has one less worry in the trenches. And that’s a win worth celebrating as 2026 begins.