Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin could aim to bring Penn State offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh with him to Blaksburg. (Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun)
Penn State Football head coach Matt Campbell retooled Penn State’s roster this offseason, putting together a group of former Iowa State Cyclones, returning Penn State players, and transfer portal players for his first roster with the Nittany Lions.
While the Nittany Lions were able to keep many key pieces from the 2025 roster, due to NFL draft declarations and a few tough transfer portal departures, the depth at several positions is thin for Penn State heading into spring practice.
Here are the three thinnest positions for the Nittany Lions heading into the spring:
The “Iron Lion” Reality Check: 3 Positions Lacking Depth
While the “Ames-to-Happy Valley” transfer portal haul was historic, the departures of NFL-bound stars like Dani Dennis-Sutton, Nick Singleton, and Kaytron Allen combined with portal exits like Chaz Coleman have left the cupboards bare in a few critical rooms.
Defensive End: A Room in Transition
One of the biggest losses for Penn State this offseason was Chaz Coleman.
While Coleman did not have a large impact on the field for the Nittany Lions in 2025, his talent and impressive ceiling was easy to see.
In addition to Coleman, Penn State also lost Jaylen Harvey and Zuriah Fisher to the transfer portal this offseason. Paired with the loss of Dani Dennis-Sutton to the NFL draft, Penn State will need quite a few players to take large leaps in development heading into 2026 to feel comfortable at the position.
Despite all of the losses at the position, the Nittany Lions only brought in one player at the position in the transfer portal, Colorado’s Alex McPhearson.
Campbell’s retention of both Max Granville and Yvan Kemajou helps for potential starters in 2026.
However, with Granville recovering from an injury that cost him the 2025 season and Kemajou only playing a reserve role in his true freshman season in 2025, both will need to take large leaps to be viable starters next season.
Offensive Tackle: Finding the “Bookend”
One of Matt Campbell’s biggest retentions of the offseason was offensive tackle Anthony Donkoh.
However, outside of Donkoh, Penn State will be looking for a new starter on the opposite side of the offensive line.
Garret Sexton and Owen Alicene both return for the Nittany Lions in 2026, but neither has much experience and will need to take a leap in development before the season begins.
Penn State brought in a few transfer portal pieces along the offensive line, but outside of Brock Riker at center and Trevor Buhr at guard, the transfers are likely to only be reserve depth in 2026.
Center: The Brock Riker Safety Net
Penn State brought in a freshman all-American transfer Brock Riker this offseason, who should be the starter at center for the Nittany Lions in 2026.
However, outside of Riker, Penn State only has walk on Dominic Rulli with experience at the position.
With no disrespect to what Rulli has accomplished for Penn State as a walk on and on special teams, if Riker does get injured next season, the Nittany Lions offensive line could be in trouble.
Campbell and staff will need to use spring practice to focus on development at these three positions.
If the Nittany Lions are able to hit on the development of a few players at these positions, it could go a long way toward the Nittany Lions exceeding expectations next season.
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