There’s a new voice in the Penn State offensive line room - and while we haven’t seen much of him in front of the media just yet, Ryan Clanton is already making his presence felt in Happy Valley.
The newly hired offensive line coach gave fans a glimpse of his intensity and mindset this week with a simple but fired-up message on social media. Alongside a photo of Penn State’s weight room, Clanton posted: “READY TO RUN THROUGH A WALL FOR THIS PLACE.
DOGS ONLY.” All caps.
All business.
Clanton officially joined the Nittany Lions staff on December 11, following head coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State. While outgoing offensive line coach Phil Trautwein is still working with the team through the Pinstripe Bowl, he’s expected to return to Florida - his alma mater - once the season wraps. That means the offensive line room is in transition, and Clanton is already laying the groundwork for what’s next.
And make no mistake - Clanton brings both experience and results to the table.
In 2023, he helped guide Iowa State tackle Jalen Travis to the NFL, marking the Cyclones’ first drafted offensive lineman in over a decade. Travis, a Princeton transfer, was selected in the fourth round by the Indianapolis Colts in April. That’s not just a development win - it’s the kind of result that resonates with recruits and fans alike.
Before his year in Ames, Clanton spent five seasons coaching the offensive line at Northern Iowa, adding co-offensive coordinator duties in 2022. He also put in four seasons at Ventura College in California, where he wore multiple hats - offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and run game coordinator. His coaching résumé is built on versatility and a clear emphasis on physical, smart line play.
As a player, Clanton suited up for Oregon and served as a team captain under Chip Kelly. He was part of the Ducks squad that reached the BCS National Championship Game after the 2010 season and followed that with Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl victories in the next two years. That kind of pedigree - both as a player and coach - brings credibility to a position group that’s central to any program’s success.
Now, Clanton is getting to work on the recruiting trail, and early feedback from prospects suggests he’s already making inroads.
Kyler Kuhn, a Top247 offensive lineman from Missouri, recently shared that Clanton reached out shortly after joining the Penn State staff. “Coach Clanton called me and he said that he liked me at Iowa State and that him moving locations doesn't make him like me any less,” Kuhn said.
“It’s kind of weird seeing all these coaches be at new schools, especially when it’s a school you already had an offer from and now it’s somebody else calling you. But I do really like coach Clanton and I hope to get back out to Penn State to see him again.”
Another highly touted prospect, Texas lineman Peyton Miller - part of the 2027 recruiting class - has also been in contact with Clanton. “He was pretty cool,” Miller said.
“I had already heard great things about him from one of my O-Line trainers who knows him. I know he’s a great coach by reputation.
… They just said they like how I play and that they feel like I would fit well in their program.”
That kind of feedback matters. It shows Clanton isn’t just bringing energy - he’s bringing relationships and a reputation that travels well.
The new staff will get its first chance to host recruits on campus next month, and Clanton’s first opportunity to lead a Penn State practice comes in March. Until then, he’s laying the foundation - one call, one connection, one fired-up message at a time.
And if his early tone is any indication, the Nittany Lions’ offensive line room is about to get a whole lot more intense.