Penn State's offensive line for the 2026 season is set for a major transformation, stepping away from the lineup that closed out 2025. With four starters departing, including standout All-Big Ten guard Vega Ioane and tackles Drew Shelton and Nolan Rucci, the Nittany Lions face a significant rebuild.
However, new offensive line coach Ryan Clanton isn’t worried. In fact, he sees potential strength in the young tackle group as they head into the offseason.
Clanton, who joined Penn State after a successful stint at Iowa State with head coach Matt Campbell, brings a wealth of experience, including developing future first-round pick Trevor Penning at Northern Iowa.
He’s particularly impressed with redshirt freshman Malachi Goodman, a top prospect from Penn State’s 2025 recruiting class. Clanton highlighted Goodman, along with Owen Aliciene and Garrett Sexton, as exceptionally talented players. He also praised Kuol Kuol II and Will Tompkins, transfers from Iowa State, for their size and strength.
“With a room this large, talented, and athletic, developing tackles isn’t a concern,” Clanton remarked. “I’m excited to see them compete in spring. It’s going to be fun.”
Goodman stands out at 6-6, 315 pounds, while Aliciene is 6-7, 298, and Sexton is a 6-6, 300-pound redshirt sophomore. Kuol and Tompkins bring their own impressive frames, measuring 6-6, 290 and 6-5, 300, respectively.
When discussing Goodman, Clanton couldn’t help but admire the young player’s physical attributes and mindset. “He’s got an incredible body composition with great muscle mass,” Clanton noted. “His priorities are clear: sleep, nutrition, and supplementation.”
Beyond his physical gifts, Clanton praised Goodman’s character and competitive nature. “He’s a genuinely nice guy and a fierce competitor. With his build and talent, he’s poised for a long and successful career,” Clanton added.
As Penn State's new-look line takes shape, the blend of talent and potential promises an exciting future for the Nittany Lions.