Anthony Donkoh isn’t just sticking around in Happy Valley - he’s doubling down on being a foundational piece for Penn State’s future. With 21 career starts spread across multiple positions, the redshirt junior brings a rare blend of experience, versatility, and leadership to a Nittany Lions program entering a new chapter under head coach Matt Campbell.
At 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, Donkoh is the kind of offensive lineman you build around - not just because of his size and skill set, but because of who he is in the locker room. That’s something Penn State general manager Derek Hoodjer made clear when reflecting on the program’s offseason efforts to retain key players.
“Not only is he an awesome player who has played a ton of football - he is twice the human that he is as a player,” Hoodjer said. “That’s what we really wanted to lean into right away. He was identified early on - we wanted to make sure he stayed.”
And stay he did. Donkoh made his intentions known on December 30, just days after starting at right tackle in the Pinstripe Bowl.
With the January transfer portal window looming, his decision to remain in blue and white was no small development. It was a statement - one that signaled belief in the new coaching staff and a commitment to the program’s future.
Calling the move a “great honor,” Donkoh voiced “full confidence” in Campbell and his staff, saying, “I believe they will help restore Penn State’s tradition of excellence while continuing to support my growth.”
That kind of buy-in matters - especially from a guy like Donkoh, who was a four-star recruit out of Lightridge High School in Aldie, Virginia. He’s not just a returning starter; he’s a culture-setter. Hoodjer pointed to Donkoh’s early commitment to the new regime as a turning point in building team-wide trust.
“Everybody that chose to stay, I think it provided proof of concept,” Hoodjer said. “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.”
That trust is key as Penn State transitions into the Campbell era. During a recent visit to team facilities, Campbell, Hoodjer, and offensive line coach Ryan Clanton made it a point to sit down with Donkoh - not just to talk shop about Xs and Os, but to reinforce his importance to the team’s identity moving forward.
Whether he lines up at tackle or shifts inside, Donkoh’s presence gives Penn State flexibility and leadership in the trenches - two things you can’t have enough of when building a new foundation. As the 2026 season approaches, the Nittany Lions know they’ve got a cornerstone in Donkoh. And he’s all in.